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Discover why, in cinema's early days, Max Factor’s panchromatic movie make-up was considered "horrifying." ​ Early movies used two types of film: orthochromatic and panchromatic . Orthochromatic film sees limited colors; it is blue- (or green-) sensitive and is unable to capture reds. For example, on the screen, blue skies look white, blonde hair appears washed-out, and red lips look black. To combat these issues, industry pioneers used lens filters, location choices, lighting—and makeup. Panchromatic film sees all colors and reproduces them closer to what we experience daily, albeit in shades of black, white, and gray. For differences between the two film types, look at Kodak's advertisements above ( Movie Makers , 1930). When panchromatic film became trendy in the late 1920s, makeup artist Max Factor —whose Chicago office sat at 444 W. Grand Avenue—was there to assist with the transition. ​According to Max Factor: The Man Who Changed the Faces of the World , Factor toiled for months to create a new type of makeup "that reflected the correct degree of light required by [panchromatic] film." Factor succeeded and was even awarded a certificate by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize his contribution to “Incandescent Illumination Research.” You can see in the 1929-1930 ads below from International Photographer that Max Factor's movie makeup is front and center. In some instances, his name and the words panchromatic make-up are as about as large as—or larger than!—the titles of the films being advertised. Also, International Photographer informs its readers, presumably cinematographers, that these films use Max Factor’s makeup exclusively. Thus, for these professionals to work on a film NOT using this makeup would arguably be a step down in status. By the 1930s, Max Factor’s panchromatic make-up—although reportedly " horrifying to look at " in daylight since it was designed for black-and-white movies and not everyday wear—became an industry standard.

Decades before Hollywood’s The Wizard of Oz , Chicago’s Grand Opera House staged its own hit version—funded, in part, by a patent medicine called Wizard Oil. Promotional still for The Wizard of Oz (1939), IMDb. It's January 1872, barely 3 months after the Great Chicago Fire . Despite the frigid weather, rebuilding is in full force . Hotels, churches, offices, banks, museums, and theatres begin to rise skyward.   Over at 546 N. Clark St. (now site of the Daley Center ), brothers John  and Lysander Hamlin are doing their part to facilitate the city's rebuilding process. Using family wealth, the Hamlin brothers, ages 65 and 63, have just forked over $130,750  (about $3.4 million today) to purchase property on which they would build Chicago's  Grand Opera House —a theatre that would soon become a cultural landmark. The following story of Chicago’s Grand Opera House reveals how the city’s resilience after the Great Fire and the Hamlin family's entrepreneurial vision shaped a stage history that would give the world its first musical version of The Wizard of Oz —decades before Hollywood and MGM made it famous. The family name, Hamlin, is centered near the roofline of the Grand Opera House, Chicago, IL. c. 1880 . Nine Lives of Chicago's Grand Opera House The Grand Opera House, which sat about 1,500 patrons , boasts a colorful history. The building served  as a billiard hall, beer garden, and vaudeville house before settling into its status as a theatre in 1880. The transformation from billiard hall to beer garden must have been fascinating for regular patrons. They would've watched workers replace the 30+ billiards tables with an elegantly carpeted ladies' gallery and an additional room that mimicked "scenery of mountain and field, rivulets, bridges, cascades, an old mill or two, a 24-foot waterfall, miniature lake, and other rural work on an expensive scale" ( Chicago Tribune , July 18, 1875). A 24-foot waterfall and a miniature lake—indoors! Women enjoying drinks in an indoor beer garden, Wikimedia Commons . George M Cohan's Grand Opera House, Ovrtur . Equally interesting, in 1912, composer-playwright George M. Cohan —he of " Yankee Doodle Dandy " fame—would co-lease the theatre from the Hamlin brothers and rename it after himself. In this photo, it's appropriate, I suppose, that a " grand ol' flag " would hang beneath the theatre's new name: George M. Cohan’s Grand Opera House. Perhaps more confusing, later, the same building was known briefly as the Four Cohans, which you can see via the marquee in this photo . Here's a final piece of Chicago's Grand Opera House history: On June 16, 1902, a stage musical based on a brand new and very popular children's book premiered there. We're Off to See the Wizard (Oil)   In 1902, while John Hamlin's sons Harry and Fred were managing the Grand Opera House, they were presented with a musical comedy for the stage. The production was based on L. Frank Baum 's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz , published in Chicago only two years prior. According to an unnamed contemporary, the Hamlin family “knew little about musical comedy, but they thought anything with the name ‘Wizard’ in it should do well” ( Chicago Tribune , Apr 1, 1958). And they thought this for good reason. Poster advertising Hamlin's Wizard Oil. The Hamlins, we learned above, used their family wealth to purchase the Grand Opera House. All that money, if you can believe it, came from a patent medicine cure-all called Hamlin's Wizard Oil . Made of 50–70% alcohol and advertised heavily across the Midwest, Hamlin's Wizard Oil claimed to cure a variety of common ailments, including: rheumatism neuralgia headache toothache diphtheria sore throat sprains bruises menstrual cramps diarrhea Fun fact : you can still find Hamlin's Wizard Oil bottles, song books, advertising posters, and trading cards for sale on eBay . It’s no wonder the Hamlins believed a musical with “Wizard” in the title would be a hit—the name had already made them wealthy. The family's instincts were right: the play was a success. A Musical Oz in Chicago: Sufficiently Spicy The Wizard of Oz  musical extravaganza  was scheduled to open at Chicago's Grand Opera House on June 12, 1902. But the show was not ready. It was postponed two days. Then, it was postponed another two days. Surprisingly, rather than deterring audiences, the back-to-back delays stirred interest. When The Wizard of Oz  musical finally opened on June 16, 1902, the house was packed. Reports describe a "huge well-dressed crowd" with people "standing in the aisle at rear and behind the last row of seats." Interior, Grand Opera House, " The Complete Architecture of Adler & Sullivan ." Even L. Frank Baum attended the show and, afterward, addressed the audience : "Kind friends, thank you for your enthusiasm. It is heart-warming. You have been generous enough to call for the author, but I do not need to remind you that he is only one of many whose efforts you are enjoying tonight. [...] All of us are happy you have enjoyed the show, and we hope you and your friends will be back for a second helping ." Indeed, people did return for "a second helping," as Baum put it. The show consistently sold out and even broke attendance records for the Hamlin-run theatre. By the time production closed in Chicago on September 20, 1902, 185,000 people had seen the show. Its box office receipts totaled $160,000 (about $5 million today). Helping matters, I imagine, ticket prices were affordable: they ranged from $0.25 to $1.50, or only $8 to $50 today. In addition to the sold-out Chicago crowds and impressive box office returns, the production's stage effects, set design, costumes, and marketing were touted in reviews and in conversation around the city. First, based on contemporary descriptions, the musical's Poppy scene must've been dazzling. A large gauze curtain, well-positioned lights, and magic lantern slides  produced the illusion of rain, snow, and sunbeams as the main characters "fell asleep" onstage. A similar effect was used for the cyclone at the start of Act 1. Second, audiences and critics consistently applauded the performances and costumes of Fred Stone and David Montgomery , who played Scarecrow and Tin Woodman respectively. Scarecrow wore a blue shirt and blue pants, both stuffed with real straw. Each night, his face was painted with pink and black greasepaint to remove Stone's actual eyebrows and create Scarecrow's face stitches. David Montgomery as the Tin Man. Poster for Fred R. Hamlin's musical extravaganza, The Wizard of Oz . Wikimedia Commons. Montgomery's Tin Woodman wore an actual tin hat and a "biblike collar" around his head. Every night, his face was painted with white greasepaint, with streaks of black around his eyes, nose, and mouth, and a tinge of red across his lips. Onstage, Stone's "fluid movements and rubbery legs" delighted audiences while Montgomery's "broad grin and creaky movements" rendered his character "funny and endearing." Part of their appeal no doubt, Stone and Montgomery had significant onstage chemistry: they had worked together as a vaudeville team before co-starring in Chicago's The Wizard of Oz  musical. Finally, in addition to the production's stage effects, set design, and costumes, the play's accompanying literature and vibrant posters clearly enticed Chicago theatre audiences and critics. Newspapers published teasers and short articles about the show. An 8-page promotional booklet including cast member photos and bios was also available. Moreover, this musical version of The Wizard of Oz was advertised as appealing to both children and parents—"sufficiently spicy and alluring to engross a sophisticated Chicago audience." Oz after Chicago... After its stint in Chicago, The Wizard of Oz  musical extravaganza toured through the upper Midwest. Eventually, it moved to Broadway , where it ran for 300 performances at the Majestic Theatre . A touring company would soon follow. In the transition from Chicago to New York, most of the original cast remained, including David Montgomery and Fred Stone, who had, of course, been key to the show's success as the Tin Woodman and Scarecrow. To be fair, I've only skimmed the surface of this Chicago production of The Wizard of Oz . For those seeking more information about the musical production, you might read Part 1 of Mark Evan Swartz's book Oz before the Rainbow: L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz on Stage and Screen to 1939 . Fortunately, a great deal of primary and secondary sources about the play are available, many of which are referenced within.

Silent film titles suggest Hollywood took note of the bungalow explosion in America An Auto-Bungalow Fracas (1913)⁣⁣ The bungalow — a low house, with a wide front porch, having either no upper floor or upper rooms set in the roof — exploded in America around the turn of the 20th century. And Hollywood took note. Look at the titles of these silent films—two of which were made by Chicago’s American Picture Company:⁣⁣ The Bungalow Craze (1911)⁣⁣ Bounding Bertie’s Bungalow (1913)⁣⁣ An Auto-Bungalow Fracas (1913)⁣⁣ Ambrose’s Bungled Bungalow (1920)⁣⁣ Bungalow Troubles (1920)⁣⁣ Bungalow Love (1920)⁣⁣ Bungalow Boobs (1924)⁣⁣ For Sale, a Bungalow (1927)⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Like 75-80% of films made during the silent era, most of these works have been lost to history. But as you can learn below, the bungalow is still very much alive in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs! More on Chicago bungalows

Explore Chicago Movie Tours' past and current talks, see who we've worked with, and find the perfect program—virtual or in person—for your group. Talks Archive See Kelli's past and current talks—then book one for your group! Explore Kelli's past and current talks , see whom she's worked with, and find the perfect program —virtual or in person—for your group. Filter by Program(s) Filter by Venue Filter by Host Type Filter by Delivery Reset Filters 2026 Cary Area Public Library From Ferris to the Frontlines: Chicago's Art Institute and Grant Park in the Movies BOOK 2026 Helen Plum Library Countdown to the Oscars: Illinois Winners, Scandalous Moments, and Oscar Bait BOOK 2026 Naperville Public Library Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen BOOK 2026 Homer Township Public Library St. Patrick's Day in The Fugitive BOOK 2026 Orland Park Public Library Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds BOOK 2026 Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District Mardi Gras and Movies in the Midwest BOOK 2026 Morton Grove Public Library The Oscars and Chicago BOOK 2026 World Virtual Tours The First Ferris Wheel in Film BOOK 2025 World Virtual Tours While You Were Sleeping in Chicago: A Holiday Stroll BOOK 2025 Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District Festivus 101: A Celebration for the Rest of Us BOOK 2025 CJE Senior Life Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen BOOK 2025 Green Hills Public Library District Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" BOOK 2025 Parker Life Festivus 101: A Celebration for the Rest of Us BOOK 2025 Base.club Chicago, Christmas Movies, and Class BOOK 2025 Commonwealth Senior Living Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" BOOK 2025 Clarendale Six Corners Chicago, Christmas Movies, and Class BOOK 2025 World Virtual Tours Movie Makeup and Toupees in 1920s Chicago BOOK 2025 Bridgeview Public Library Chicago and The Wizard of Oz BOOK 2025 Base.club Chicago and The Wizard of Oz BOOK 2025 Skokie Country Club Beyond the Blues Brothers BOOK 2025 Fountaindale Public Library District Horror Movies in Chicago: Child's Play and The Fury BOOK 2025 DePaul University Blues Brothers on Location: Prisons, Malls, and City Halls BOOK 2025 CJE Senior Life Horror Movies in Chicago: Child's Play and The Fury BOOK 2025 Base.club Chicago's World's Fairs and the Movies BOOK 2025 Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District Horror Movies in Chicago: Child's Play and The Fury BOOK 2025 World Virtual Tours From Ferris to the Frontlines: Chicago's Art Institute and Grant Park in the Movies BOOK 2025 Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District The Breakfast Club: Chicago, Music, and a Generation Defined BOOK 2025 Bridgeview Public Library From Ferris to the Frontlines: Chicago's Art Institute and Grant Park in the Movies BOOK 2025 Commonwealth Senior Living Inside Gene Kelly's House BOOK 2025 World Virtual Tours Chicago Movie Houses: Hidden Histories and Lost Glamour BOOK 2025 CJE Senior Life Singin' in the Rain and Chicago BOOK 2025 Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District The Art of Ferris Bueller BOOK 2025 Orland Park Public Library The Art of Ferris Bueller BOOK 2025 Helen Plum Library Comedy in Chicago: The Marx Brothers and Bob Newhart BOOK 2025 Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District Cinematic Canines and Circus Stars in Chicagoland Cemeteries BOOK 2025 CJE Senior Life America's Most Famous Diner, Chicago Style BOOK 2025 Homer Township Public Library Chicago and The Wizard of Oz BOOK 2025 World Virtual Tours Chicago and Movies on the Mississippi River BOOK 2025 Tinley Park Public Library Beyond the Blues Brothers BOOK 2025 CJE Senior Life Gender in Hollywood: Women BOOK 2025 Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District Comedy in Chicago: The Marx Brothers and Bob Newhart BOOK 2025 World Virtual Tours Chicago's World's Fairs and the Movies BOOK 2025 CJE Senior Life Roller Coasters, Racism, and Chicago Home Movies BOOK 2025 Naperville Public Library Beyond the Blues Brothers BOOK 2025 CJE Senior Life A Brief History of Hollywood Film BOOK 2025 World Virtual Tours Chicago Murals and Movie Stars BOOK 2025 World Virtual Tours Chicago and The Wizard of Oz BOOK 2025 CJE Senior Life Women's Fashion, Ferris Wheels, and Film at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair BOOK 2025 White Oak Library District Women's Fashion, Ferris Wheels, and Film at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair BOOK 2025 Palos Heights Public Library St. Patrick's Day in The Fugitive BOOK 2025 Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District St. Patrick's Day in The Fugitive BOOK 2025 Bridgeview Public Library St. Patrick's Day in The Fugitive BOOK 2025 CJE Senior Life Mardi Gras and Movies in the Midwest BOOK 2025 Oak Park Public Library Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds BOOK 2025 Helen Plum Library Mardi Gras and Movies in the Midwest BOOK 2025 Fountaindale Public Library District Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds BOOK 2025 CJE Senior Life Countdown to the Oscars: Illinois Winners, Scandalous Moments, and Oscar Bait BOOK 2024 CJE Senior Life Chicago, Christmas Movies, and Class BOOK 2024 Elmhurst Public Library Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" BOOK 2024 White Oak Library District Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" BOOK 2024 Bridgeview Public Library Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" BOOK 2024 Homer Township Public Library Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" BOOK 2024 Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" BOOK 2024 Helen Plum Library Beyond the Blues Brothers BOOK 2024 Bridgeview Public Library Horror Movies in Chicago: Child's Play and The Fury BOOK 2024 CJE Senior Life Comedy in Chicago: The Marx Brothers and Bob Newhart BOOK 2024 CJE Senior Life Hollywood Bites: From Golden Age Glamour to Rom-Com Delights BOOK 2024 White Oak Library District Beyond the Blues Brothers BOOK 2024 Fremont Public Library Gender in Hollywood: Women BOOK 2024 Homer Township Public Library Beyond the Blues Brothers BOOK 2024 Arlington Heights Senior Center A Brief History of Hollywood Film BOOK 2024 CJE Senior Life Cinematic Canines and Circus Stars in Chicagoland Cemeteries BOOK 2024 Indian Prairie Public Library Gender in Hollywood: Women BOOK 2024 Bridgeview Public Library Hollywood Bites: From Golden Age Glamour to Rom-Com Delights BOOK 2024 Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District The Oscars and Chicago BOOK 2024 CJE Senior Life Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds BOOK 2024 Aurora Public Library District Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds BOOK 2024 CJE Senior Life The Making of Contagion: Chicago as Pandemic Stage BOOK 2023 CJE Senior Life Festivus 101: A Celebration for the Rest of Us BOOK 2023 Wilmette Historical Museum Chicago, Christmas Movies, and Class BOOK 2023 CJE Senior Life Movie Makeup and Toupees in 1920s Chicago BOOK 2023 Elmwood Park Public Library Beyond the Blues Brothers BOOK 2023 CJE Senior Life Film Noir: Hollywood's Darkest Timeline BOOK 2023 Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District Beyond the Blues Brothers BOOK 2023 CJE Senior Life Chicago and The Wizard of Oz BOOK 2023 CJE Senior Life Inside Gene Kelly's House BOOK 2023 Bridgeview Public Library Chicago Murals and Movie Stars BOOK 2023 Round Lake Area Public Library District Beyond the Blues Brothers BOOK 2023 Fremont Public Library Gender in Hollywood: Men BOOK 2023 CJE Senior Life Chicago Movie Houses: Hidden Histories and Lost Glamour BOOK 2023 Homer Township Public Library The Art of Ferris Bueller BOOK 2023 CJE Senior Life Chicago Murals and Movie Stars BOOK 2023 White Oak Library District Gender in Hollywood: Women BOOK 2023 Oak Park Public Library Chicago Murals and Movie Stars BOOK 2023 Deerfield Public Library Mardi Gras and Movies in the Midwest BOOK 2023 Niles-Maine Public Library District The Art of Ferris Bueller BOOK 2023 Elmhurst Public Library Art of Ferris Bueller BOOK 2022 Thompson Coburn LLP Festivus 101: A Celebration for the Rest of Us BOOK 2022 Orland Park History Museum Chicago, Christmas Movies, and Class BOOK 2022 Bridgeview Public Library Chicago, Christmas Movies, and Class BOOK

Discover Chicago’s rich movie history through our public guided walking tours, led by a film expert with a Ph.D. Public Tours Discover Chicago’s movie history through public walking tours, led by a film expert Pick Your Tour The Art of Ferris Bueller Movies and TV in Union Station Chicago and Movies Underground From Fairground to Film Set Wizard of Oz in Chicago Chicago and Movies in Prison Public Tours FAQs What Sets These Tours Apart? Led by a Film Expert Unlike other tours in Chicago, ours are led by an film expert with a PhD. She offers you unparalleled commentary on moviemaking and the city's film legacy. Small Group, Personalized Experience Enjoy a more personal, intimate experience with small group sizes to ensure you get the most out of your tour. Behind-the-Scenes Insights Learn how Chicago’s architecture, streets, and skyline shape memorable scenes. Get insider stories about how filmmakers bring those scenes to life. Great for Locals and Tourists Alike Whether you're a long-time Chicagoan or visiting the city for the first time, you'll discover something new about the city’s starring role in Hollywood. Iconic Film Locations Stand in the exact spots where legendary movie scenes were filmed, from Gotham City in The Dark Knight to the marble staircase in The Untouchables . What Movies Are Featured? From Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and The Untouchables to Fargo and South Side , our walking tours will immerse you in scenes from classic and modern Chicago-based movies and TV shows. Looking for a Private Tour? Want to enjoy our popular movie walking tours with just your group? Book a private version of any of our existing tours, and experience Chicago’s iconic film locations at your convenience. Book a Private or Group Tour

Incorporate a private or customized (bespoke) Chicago movie tour into your city visit, convention program, school curriculum, or senior outing. Pricing starts at $399. Private Tours Incorporate a private tour into your city visit, conference program, or senior outing. What Is a Private Tour? A private walking tour is a guided tour designed for individuals or small groups who prefer a more intimate and tailored experience. Unlike group tours that include multiple parties and follow a set itinerary, private tours offer flexibility in terms of timing, pace, and content. Private tours are ideal for families, convention and reunion attendees, school groups, film clubs, and senior outings. All tours may be booked privately, and we also provide customized options. Private tour pricing starts at $399. Private Tour FAQs Why Book a Private Tour? Personalization Immerse yourself in the glitz and glamour of Chicago's movie history with a private tour! Explore the iconic film locations that fascinate you the most, at your own pace. Flexibility Can't find the perfect time for a public tour? No worries! With a private tour, you choose the date and time that suits your schedule best. Flexibility has never been so cinematic! Exclusive Attention Get the star treatment! Our private tour ensures you receive the guide's full attention, answering all your questions and sharing insider stories about Chicago's rich film history. Book Your Private Tour First Name* Last Name Email* Phone Tour of Interest* Preferred Tour Date* Secondary Preferred Date How many in your group?* Note: Most tours are designed for groups of up to 8 people. Which best describes your group?* Adults Family (All ages) School Group (K–12 students) College/University Group Corporate/Team Outing Senior Group Other Anything else we should know? (e.g., accessibility needs) Opt in to receive news about future tours and talks. Submit