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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 guest reviews for Chicago Movie Tours! Read firsthand accounts from visitors who have discovered Chicago through Kelli's walking tours and movie talks. Reviews Curious about our guided tours and talks? See what others have to say! Filter by Event Leave Your Review Ferris Fan Art of Ferris Bueller average rating is 5 out of 5 Very much recommend this tour for any fans of movies, art, and history, all in Chicago. Kelli was very accommodating for our group and really helped many of us get to know the city of Chicago better. Mar 10, 2026 Joella Talk (In Person and Virtual) average rating is 5 out of 5 Rather interesting and intriguing, insightful history of wonder of amusement rides and structures. The virtual tour guide presented a well crafted presentation and quite knowledgeable. Jan 26, 2026 Caleb Art of Ferris Bueller average rating is 5 out of 5 Bueller Bueller Bueller... Kelli was lovely and the tour was great. Can’t wait to go on another. Kelli was thoughtful and very knowledgeable about the film and Hughes’ inspiration for the art selected in the film. Jan 2, 2026 Ronni Talk (In Person and Virtual) average rating is 5 out of 5 I love Kelli’s tours and this one [Chicago Movies in Winter] was fun and informative. I look forward to her upcoming tours. Feb 6, 2026 MJ Art of Ferris Bueller average rating is 5 out of 5 Kelli was so full of researched material not only about the movie, which was fascinating, but also about the history of Chicago. A “not to miss” tour!!!! Jan 12, 2026 Bruce Art of Ferris Bueller average rating is 5 out of 5 Incredible tour with anecdotal information about Chicago. Incredibly well put together including film clips of the movie relevant to the artwork. I highly recommend!! Dec 30, 2025 Kris Art of Ferris Bueller average rating is 5 out of 5 Kelli was great! She was knowledgeable and had plenty of information about the city, the movie, and the art. We learned so much on this tour. Highly recommend! Feb 2, 2026 Clinton Art of Ferris Bueller average rating is 5 out of 5 Wonderful. So enjoyable and hit a great balance of artistic and fun! Jan 7, 2026 Pam Art of Ferris Bueller average rating is 5 out of 5 2026 is the 40th anniversary of the beloved film Ferris Bueller's Day Off. This tour is the perfect way to celebrate the film and the city of Chicago. We had so much fun and Kelli is amazing! Learn about John Hughes, the film, the art and how this all comes together in a memorable cinematic experience. Tip: Watch the movie again before the tour. Save Ferris! Dec 30, 2025 Show More Reviews

Chicago Movie Tours offers guided walking tours and movie history talks that inspire you to discover Chicago through film. Led by a PhD, our public and private tours and our in-person and virtual programs will always teach you something new about Chicago and movies, guaranteed. (Yes, guaranteed!) The Art of Ferris Bueller Take This Tour Chicago Film. Expert Insight. Hi, I'm KELLI , a Ph.D. and the founder of Chicago Movie Tours. After years of teaching film, I launched Chicago Movie Tours to bring my expertise beyond the classroom and into the city streets. Drawing on my background as an educator and Ph.D., I lead tours and talks that reveal how Chicago’s onscreen locations connect to its culture and history. Whether you're a local or a visitor, with me, you'll always discover something new about the city—and its ties to film! Guest Reviews 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 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

Learn about Chicago Movie Tours' talks, in-person and virtual, held in surrounding Chicago schools, libraries, and related venues​​.​ ​ About 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. Expert Insight Commentary from a Ph.D., film historian, and guide Movie Clips Key scenes that highlight Chicago onscreen Newspapers Vintage clippings that add local context HD Video Crisp, original 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 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 Ronni World Virtual Tours average rating is 5 out of 5 Chicago and Movies on the Mississippi River I love Kelli’s tours and this one [Chicago Movies in Winter] was fun and informative. I look forward to her upcoming tours. Book This Talk Chris average rating is 5 out of 5 While You Were Sleeping in Chicago: A Holiday Stroll I learned so much from this virtual tour [While You Were Sleeping in Chicago]. I loved seeing the houses and the church. After answering that Lucy gets mustard only on her hot dog, Kelli mentioned that Chicago has no hot dog vendors. One summer, the Field Museum had one out front, at the far end of the steps. I hadn't thought about that being a one-time experience. Book This Talk Glenn average rating is 5 out of 5 While You Were Sleeping in Chicago: A Holiday Stroll Kelli's tours are always well-researched and expertly presented. We highly recommend her tours. Book This Talk Virtual Attendee Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District average rating is 5 out of 5 Cinematic Canines and Circus Stars in Chicagoland Cemeteries These programs are so beneficial to understand sociological trends in addition to pure entertainment factor. Love it! Book This Talk Program Regular Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District average rating is 5 out of 5 Cinematic Canines and Circus Stars in Chicagoland Cemeteries Kelli's engaging style, attention to detail and comprehensive clips, articles, and quotes mean I will always register to attend her virtual tours! The more the better! Book This Talk Remote Participant Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District average rating is 5 out of 5 Cinematic Canines and Circus Stars in Chicagoland Cemeteries Love Kelli, please have her back as much as you can. Book This Talk Show More Reviews