The movie studio didn't want it, but Harrison Ford had other plans for his beard in the Chicago movie The Fugitive. Harrison Ford as a bearded Dr. Richard Kimble in The Fugitive. Screenshot. Harrison Ford's facial hair plays a surprisingly important role in The Fugitive. The Fugitive is a 1993 action thriller filmed primarily in Chicago, with a few scenes shot in North Carolina. Harrison Ford stars as Richard Kimble, a doctor and prison escapee wrongly accused of murdering his wife. While trying to find her real killer and prove his innocence, Kimble is relentlessly pursued by Tommy Lee Jones's U.S. Marshal. But there's something else Kimble is trying to escape: his own appearance. For part of his screen time in The Fugitive, Ford insisted his character don a beard. No big deal, right? Wrong. Warner Bros., the studio behind the film, was reportedly not happy about the beard. According to Ford, the studio essentially felt that it had “paid for the face they wanted to see,” and executives were concerned that his facial hair would obscure it. Ford, however, had two good reasons for keeping Kimble's whiskers. Harrison Ford as Richard Kimble shaves off his beard in The Fugitive. Watch the scene on YouTube. The Beard Had a Purpose First, Kimble has very little time between his escape and the end of the movie to maintain his disguise. Ford reasoned that shaving his beard would be a quick and easy way to change his appearance if necessary. But the beard also helped establish something about Kimble's character. Along with his flowered vest and the distinctive artwork on his walls, the facial hair makes Kimble seem "slightly idiosyncratic"—a doctor who exists somewhat outside the medical establishment. As Ford explained, that characterization “comes to play later on in the story.” In other words, the beard wasn't simply Harrison Ford refusing to shave. It was part of the character. And the decision seems to have worked. The Fugitive became a major box-office success, grossing roughly $370 million worldwide on a $44 million budget. It received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and Tommy Lee Jones won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Moreover, it's still one of the highest-rated films on Rotten Tomatoes and the like. Harrison Ford as Richard Kimble shaves off his beard in The Fugitive. Screengrab. Wait… That's a Fake Beard There's an amusing wrinkle to all of this. Although Ford wore his real beard for much of the movie, there is a scene in which he has to wear a fake one created by the film's makeup department. And, as you might expect, the fake beard doesn't look quite as convincing as the real thing. It's a small detail, but it's a great example of the practical decisions that go into creating a movie character—and how something as seemingly insignificant as facial hair can serve a larger storytelling purpose. So the next time you watch The Fugitive, keep an eye on Richard Kimble's beard: it's more than just whiskers. Kimble's fake beard, created by The Fugitive's makeup department. Screenshot. Sources "Off Screen, Ford Unlike His Action Characters." Leader-Telegram, Aug 29, 1993, p. 51. See The Fugitive Behind the Scenes Want to go deeper into the movie’s Chicago story? Bring The Fugitive to your library, organization, or group with On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive. This talk goes behind the scenes of the film to explore its Chicago roots, on-set challenges, and lasting legacy in film and TV history. Filming The Fugitive during Chicago's 1993 St. Patrick's Day Parade And for a quick taste of the real-life chaos behind one of the movie's most memorable Chicago scenes, watch my 60-second video below about filming The Fugitive during Chicago's 1993 St. Patrick's Day Parade. Two movie productions were filming along the parade route that day—and their camera crews actually ran into each other.

Discover where Somewhere in Time was filmed in Chicago and how the 1980 romance helped mark Hollywood's return to the city in 1979. Christopher Reeve overlooks Chicago in 1979. Screenshot. Although Somewhere in Time (1980) is best known for its Mackinac Island locations, several opening scenes were filmed in Chicago during the summer of 1979. Those brief moments also capture an important turning point in Chicago movie history, when the city began actively welcoming Hollywood productions again after years of restrictive filming policies. Where Was Somewhere in Time Filmed? Most of Somewhere in Time (1980) was filmed on Michigan's Mackinac Island. However, three key scenes were filmed in Chicago during the summer of 1979 before production moved to Michigan. Chicago locations include: Richard Collier's Chicago apartment Lake Shore Drive A Chicago library where Richard researches Elise McKenna Christopher Reeve, as Richard Collier, is featured in all three of these scenes: working in a Chicago apartment, driving a convertible along Lake Shore Drive, and researching Elise McKenna (Jane Seymour) in a Chicago library. These Chicago scenes, together with the Mackinac Island footage, were filmed during the summer of 1979—a pivotal moment in Chicago film history. Why Hollywood Returned to Chicago in 1979 Before 1979, Chicago maintained strict control over which films could shoot on location. Under Mayor Richard J. Daley (1955-1976), productions generally had to meet standards that made them suitable for family audiences. In fact, only movies Daley could take his own family to see were allowed to be shot on location here. But after Daley's tenure, when Jane Byrne was elected mayor (1979-1983), this policy changed. For Byrne, any movie that wanted to film in and around Chicago should do so. Byrne viewed film production as an economic opportunity, encouraging Hollywood studios to bring jobs and revenue to Chicago. She established an office to assist Hollywood production companies and worked with the Illinois Film Office to lure filmmakers here. To learn more about how Mayor Jane Byrne transformed Chicago's relationship with Hollywood, read the opening paragraphs of this 1981 newspaper article: Courier Post (Oct. 22, 1981) Hollywood Comes to Chicago: A Rare 1979 Documentary Embedded below is a clip from Hollywood Comes to Chicago (1979), a rare documentary short that sheds light on this "new" period in Chicago's movie history. In the clip, the cast and crew of Somewhere in Time describe Chicago as an easy and welcoming place to film, thanks in part to the efforts of the Illinois Film Office and its director, Lucy Salinger. You can watch the full documentary short below, which runs for about 7 minutes. It also features John Landis since The Blues Brothers was shooting here at the same time as Somewhere in Time. Somewhere in Time certainly was not the largest production to benefit from Chicago's new approach to filmmaking, but it was among the earliest. Alongside The Blues Brothers, it helped demonstrate that Chicago could support major Hollywood productions—paving the way for decades of movies and television shows filmed throughout the city. Key Takeaways Most of Somewhere in Time was filmed on Mackinac Island, Michigan. Three opening scenes were filmed in Chicago during the summer of 1979. Mayor Jane Byrne helped make Chicago more welcoming to Hollywood productions. Somewhere in Time and The Blues Brothers helped usher in a new era of filmmaking in Chicago.

In a 60-second video, discover murals in Chicago devoted to movies. Greetings from Chicago postcard mural Murals and other forms of street art line the streets of Chicago. As of this writing, FindMASA lists more than 8,000 murals and pieces of street art in Chicago! Perhaps the most photographed is the Greetings from Chicago postcard mural, shown above. If you look closer at the mural's "G," you will spot Chicago-based entertainment in the form of Muddy Waters and the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Plenty of other movie-related murals greet you in Chicago too. You can find ones devoted to Hollywood’s silent era (demolished since this writing), the Blues Brothers, Dolly Parton, Quincy Jones, and Robin Williams, among others. Watch our video below for a sneak peek of Chicago's movie murals, and then locate your favorite in Chicago's Mural Registry.

See what guests and librarians are saying about Chicago Movie Tours. Explore 5-star reviews for our walking tours and cinema history talks presented by Kelli Marshall, Ph.D. Chicago Movie Tours & Talks Reviews and Testimonials 5-Star Movie Experiences Led by a Film Historian Experience Chicago’s 135-year cinematic legacy through the eyes of a film historian. From the historic grounds of the Midway Plaisance to iconic filming locations throughout the Loop , our Ph.D.-led walking tours and presentations combine scholarly insight with engaging storytelling rarely found in traditional sightseeing tours. Below, explore verified reviews from libraries, cultural institutions, Chicago locals, tourists, and movie lovers who have joined Chicago Movie Tours & Talks for immersive experiences exploring the city’s deep connections to film history, architecture, public art, and popular culture. Browse Reviews by Category Chicago Walking Tours Film History Talks Private Walking Tours Reviews of Walking Tours average rating is 5 out of 5 Heartily recommend! Wonderful morning viewing the paintings that helped make Ferris Bueller such a special movie. My two granddaughters and I learned why the paintings were chosen and even got to re-create some of the scenes from the movie. The tour was a great way to introduce two thirteen year old girls to some of the highlights of the Art Institute without it seeming stodgy. Heartily recommend! Patty The Art of Ferris Bueller Verified • chicagomovietours.com July 2, 2026 private tour, Ferris Bueller kids walking tour, Art Institute of Chicago, photo ops with Ferris Bueller paintings average rating is 5 out of 5 Would've happily stayed for a couple more hours! Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and take this tour once in a while, you could miss it… Absolutely brilliant tour, very interesting, informative and fun with lots of Easter eggs along the way. Kelli is excellent, we would have happily stayed for a couple more hours! Can’t recommend highly enough. Lloyd The Art of Ferris Bueller Reviewed on Google August 3, 2026 private walking tour in Chicago, Art Institute of Chicago, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, Ferris Bueller average rating is 5 out of 5 Tour was the highlight of our trip Kelli was super engaging and a knowledgeable storyteller. We had a private Ferris Bueller tour and I’d recommend her tours for anyone. Her tour was the highlight of our trip. Ryan The Art of Ferris Bueller Reviewed on Google August 1, 2026 private tour, Ferris Bueller, walking tour, Art Institute of Chicago Load More Walking Tour Reviews Reviews of Film History Talks average rating is 5 out of 5 My favorite presenter It was an excellent program. I like deep dives into Chicago’s history. It’s important to understand and remember why tragedies occur. Kelli is my favorite presenter, by the way. Program Attendee Still Waters, Sudden Death: Chicago’s Deadliest Disaster Onscreen Verified Host Review • Winnetka-Northfield Public Library July 28, 2026 newsreels, silent film, SS Eastland, Chicago film history, Disney Channel, oral history average rating is 5 out of 5 Such a polished, eloquent presentation Kelli is clearly deeply experienced in teaching remotely. The script was delivered naturally and with great poise; the tech all worked perfectly; the explanations, the images, the sound were all excellent. Zoom Guest Still Waters, Sudden Death: Chicago’s Deadliest Disaster Onscreen Verified Host Review • Winnetka-Northfield Public Library July 28, 2026 SS Eastland, documentary film, narrative television, Chicago maritime history, oral history average rating is 5 out of 5 My favorite Lectures on Tap speaker! Dr. Marshall was wonderful! She did an excellent job of covering a lot of material in a short amount of time. I think she has been my favorite speaker I have attended though Lectures on Tap! Lectures on Tap Attendee Beyond the Blues Brothers Verified Host Review • Lectures on Tap May 20, 2026 The Blues Brothers, in-person talk, behind the scenes, Chicago film history Load More Film Talk Reviews

Discover Chicago’s cinematic history through expert-led walking tours and 50+ film history talks. Led by Kelli Marshall, Ph.D. Explore Chicago movie locations today. Ph.D.-Led Walking Tours and Presentations Book a Tour Step into the frame and explore Chicago’s iconic filming locations with expert-led, on-site storytelling. Book a Talk Bring the cinema to your group with 50+ scholarly and engaging presentations on film history and Chicago culture. Chicago Film. Expert Insight. Hi, I'm KELLI , a Ph.D. film scholar and the founder of Chicago Movie Tours & Talks. I offer expert-led Chicago movie tours and 50+ film history talks that explore how the city’s filming locations connect to its culture, history, and identity. From walking tours to in-depth presentations for libraries, senior centers, and community groups, each experience brings Chicago’s cinematic story to life. Chicago Movie Tours & Talks: By the Numbers 135 Years of Chicago film history covered 50 Unique movie history talks available 300+ Programs and tours presented 15+ Years of teaching and research experience Reviews of Chicago Movie Tours & Talks Guests consistently rate both tours and programs 5 stars for depth, insight, and storytelling. Sherman Art of Ferris Bueller average rating is 5 out of 5 Kelli was awesome! Clear instructions on where and when to meet, then prompt start of the tour. She clearly knows art so that was the one aspect I did not expect. It was wonderful to hear about the background of the artists to give some context to the painting/sculpture. Definitely more and better than I expected. Thank you. Mitchell Szczepanczyk Hollywood on the Rails average rating is 5 out of 5 Kelli at Chicago Movie Tours gave a fantastic tour of Union Station for her tour "Hollywood on the Rails." She didn't just teach us about movies and TV shows, which were plentiful (I didn't realize that "The Sting" was filmed in part at Chicago Union Station); the tour also touched on points from a variety of fields, including architecture, art and design, history, technology, and of course, Chicago. It was a wonderful way to spend two hours, very informative and engaging, and very much worth your time, whether your interests lie in film, pop culture, history, architecture, or the Windy City! Tommy, Chicago History Podcast From Fairground to Film Set average rating is 5 out of 5 As knowledgeable as I thought I was about movies (especially those with Chicago connections), I learned so much more from my recent Chicago Movie Tours event with host Kelli. Even with things I kind of knew before, I was able to look at them in a new light. Engaging, detailed presentations and an eagerness to answer questions made this a top-notch experience. Highly recommended. In the News Walking Tours Featured Watch Dr. Kelli Marshall break down Chicago film history on WGN Morning News. Film History Talks Featured Hear about the Windy City's links to The Wizard of Oz with Kelli on NBC 5 Chicago.

Book expert Chicago movie history talks by a Ph.D. and film historian. Virtual or in-person, these 60-minute presentations feature HD location video, rare clips, and interactive maps. Chicago Movie History Talks See what’s included, view past events, check pricing, and explore clients we’ve worked with. Chicago Movie Tours' talks—whether virtual or in person—blend unique visuals , historical media , and expert insight to engage audiences, spark curiosity, and invite discussion. Download 2026 Featured Talks Browse All Talks What's Included Learn what you get when you book a talk with Chicago Movie Tours. Ph.D. Expertise Commentary by Kelli , Ph.D., film historian, and guide Curated Clips Key scenes that highlight Chicago onscreen Newspapers Vintage clippings that add local context Original HD Video Crisp, unique location footage tailored to your talk Screenshots Still images that connect film to location Movie Fan Mags Old-school fan mags with Hollywood flair Archival Photos Historic images that enrich the narrative Interactive Maps Custom visuals that trace film sites and history Animated Slides Dynamic visuals that guide the experience Director’s chair icon for booking a Chicago movie history presentation Book Your Next Movie Talk 2026 Pricing Talks are available virtually or in person, and they run about 60 minutes, with unlimited time allotted afterward for Q&A. Virtual Talks $300 per talk Bring Chicago’s film history to your audience—anywhere! Host a Virtual Talk In-Person Talks $400 per talk Locations over 25 mi. from La Grange, IL, are quoted separately. View map . Schedule In Person HOP ON BOARD! Join the thousands of Chicagoans who have rediscovered their city with Chicago Movie Tours. See Who’s Hosted Me Reviews of Talks Lectures on Tap Attendee Lectures on Tap (Theory Chicago, River North) average rating is 5 out of 5 Dr. Marshall was wonderful! She did an excellent job of covering a lot of material in a short amount of time. I think she has been my favorite speaker I have attended though Lectures on Tap! Book This Talk Chicago comedy fan Zoom (Parker Life) average rating is 5 out of 5 Tonight's presentation was very informative and extremely well presented. Kelli is obviously a good teacher! Book This Talk Comedy enthusiast Zoom (Parker Life) average rating is 5 out of 5 Enjoyed today’s comedy topic and Chicago location. Learned tidbits on both comic acts that I didn’t even know. Enjoyed the panning up and down residences and streets. Book This Talk Bob Newhart admirer Zoom (Parker Life) average rating is 5 out of 5 Excellent speaker. Organized. Thoughtful. Enthusiastic. Book This Talk Webinar attendee Zoom (Parker Life) average rating is 4 out of 5 Both topics in one hour was too short and did not do justice to the subjects. I did love seeing the architecture of the city but would have enjoyed more clips of the artists. Book This Talk Comedy history fan Zoom (Parker Life) average rating is 5 out of 5 This presentation was outstanding. It was like none of us wanted it to end and people were smiling from start to finish. Thank you so much! Book This Talk Show More Reviews