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Explore snowy Chicago movie locations featured in "Groundhog Day," "The Breakfast Club," and more Chicago Movies in Winter Explore snowy Chicago movie locations featured in "Groundhog Day," "The Breakfast Club," and more All Talks About Bundle up for a journey through Chicago's chilliest movie moments! Join Kelli for a free virtual walking tour highlighting Chicago movie locations captured in snow or chilly weather. This unique HD video experience features Groundhog Day , The Breakfast Club , Child's Play , and Judas and the Black Messiah . So grab your hot cocoa, log on, and let’s hit the virtual streets of Chicago’s "coolest" movies. Request Talk

This talk is not currently available for booking. Behind the Scenes with Chicago Movie Tours This talk is not currently available for booking. All Talks About Behind the Scenes with Chicago Movie Tours is no longer available for booking. Please explore Kelli's current talks for other options. Request Talk

Explore four typical depictions of men in Hollywood film Gender in Hollywood: Men Explore four typical depictions of men in Hollywood film All Talks About Encounter four ways Hollywood has traditionally represented men onscreen. Among the categories you'll consider: macho men, comedy nerds, wounded warriors, and beasts. You'll also learn why nude (or mostly nude) onscreen men often receive harsh punishment in the movie's narrative. Join us for an overview of men in film! NOTE: To give your guests a thorough background on common representations of gender in Hollywood film, book this talk alongside Gender in Hollywood: Women . Or if only one subject interests you, book it individually! Request Talk

Explore Black film history in Chicago through select movies and sites that connect them Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds Explore Black film history in Chicago through select movies and sites that connect them All Talks About This hour-long talk is perfect for Black History Month or any time of year you’d like to highlight the vital contributions of African Americans to film history. In the first half of the program, you’ll discover Something Good—Negro Kiss , a silent film capturing what is believed to be the first onscreen kiss by a Black couple. The movie traces its origins to a nineteenth-century Chicago studio, whose remnants you’ll visit virtually through original HD video. Chicago’s cinematic legacy continues beyond the studio lot. You'll also learn about Burr Oak Cemetery and its significance to Black history here in Chicago and beyond. Again, through HD video, you’ll walk the cemetery’s hallowed grounds as you learn about groundbreaking films such as Cooley High (1975) and Boyz n the Hood (1991). This presentation is a meaningful way to celebrate Black filmmakers and stories—whether during Black History Month or throughout the year. Request Talk

Every Wednesday, join us in guessing the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Visit our archive to play the ones you missed! One-Shot Wednesday On Wednesdays, guess the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. The Blues Brothers The mall scene in The Blues Brothers (1980) was filmed at the former Dixie Square Mall in Harvey, IL. John Landis (dir.) acquired permission to use the abandoned shopping mall for the shoot. The mall had been closed since 1978, giving it a perfect run-down and desolate appearance that fit the movie's narrative. To capture the chaotic car chase sequence through the mall, the production team used practical effects, stunts, and carefully choreographed scenes, making it one of the film's most memorable moments. Welcome to One-Shot Wednesday! Think you’re a Chicago screen buff? On Wednesdays, we post one still from a movie or TV show filmed or set in the Windy City. Your mission? Guess the title! You've already seen this week’s image above. If you're feeling nostalgic, explore the full archive of past challenges to keep the fun rolling. Psst: you're on screenshot: 84 Access Archive

Every Wednesday, join us in guessing the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Visit our archive to play the ones you missed! One-Shot Wednesday On Wednesdays, guess the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Straight Talk This is a high-angle, medium-long shot of a woman balancing on a bridge as she tries desperately to grab a $20 bill before it blows into the water below. The Woman : Dolly Parton The Bridge : Chicago’s Wabash Ave. The Movie : Straight Talk In the 1992 romantic comedy Straight Talk , Dolly Parton plays a dance instructor who gets fired from her small-town job for giving advice to her clients rather than teaching them dance. After she loses her position, she moves to the big city, Chicago, where she find work as a switchboard operator for a radio station. Ultimately, Parton’s character is mistaken for the radio station's new call-in therapist and, as is the case in most rom-coms, chaos (and romance) ensue. Straight Talk filmed on location in Chicago and the suburb of Lemont, including this stunt on the Wabash Ave bridge . Watch the full scene below. Welcome to One-Shot Wednesday! Think you’re a Chicago screen buff? On Wednesdays, we post one still from a movie or TV show filmed or set in the Windy City. Your mission? Guess the title! You've already seen this week’s image above. If you're feeling nostalgic, explore the full archive of past challenges to keep the fun rolling. Psst: you're on screenshot: 84 Access Archive

Trace how studio teachers have taught and protected child actors from 1930s Hollywood to the Chicago sets of "A Raisin in the Sun" and "Home Alone" School’s Out for Summer! Child Actors and Chicago’s Studio Teachers Trace how studio teachers have taught and protected child actors from 1930s Hollywood to the Chicago sets of "A Raisin in the Sun" and "Home Alone" All Talks About Book for May 2026 and after— download 2026 calendar . From classical Hollywood to Chicago film sets, this 60-minute talk considers the largely unseen educators who safeguard child stars’ schooling—and, in many cases, their childhoods. We'll begin by tracing the profession’s origins to MGM’s two-room schoolhouse in 1930s Hollywood. Then, we'll explore how studio teachers—then and now—balance academic instruction with labor laws, union rules, and state regulations designed to protect young performers. Finally, we'll move to Chicago and spotlight studio teachers’ work on the films A Raisin in the Sun , The Breakfast Club , and Home Alone so we can see how national practices played out on local sets. By the end, audiences should see familiar films in a new light—and gain a deeper appreciation for the teachers who quietly ensured that learning never stopped, even when the cameras were rolling. Request Talk

Every Wednesday, join us in guessing the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Visit our archive to play the ones you missed! One-Shot Wednesday On Wednesdays, guess the Chicago-based movie or television show from one screenshot. Derailed Coming to you from Chicago's Millennium Park, this week's shot is from Derailed , a 2005 crime thriller film starring Clive Owen and Jennifer Aniston. You'll see LOTS of shots of Chicago and its suburbs in this one! But fair warning: Derailed has been consistently panned by credits since it premiered. (In short, the movie ain't great.) Welcome to One-Shot Wednesday! Think you’re a Chicago screen buff? On Wednesdays, we post one still from a movie or TV show filmed or set in the Windy City. Your mission? Guess the title! You've already seen this week’s image above. If you're feeling nostalgic, explore the full archive of past challenges to keep the fun rolling. Psst: you're on screenshot: 84 Access Archive

Delve into the intersection of film history, animal performers, and cemetery lore Cinematic Canines and Circus Stars in Chicagoland Cemeteries Delve into the intersection of film history, animal performers, and cemetery lore All Talks About Cinematic Canines and Circus Stars in Chicagoland Cemeteries is an immersive talk that explores the intersection of film history, animal performers, and cemetery lore. In the first half of this program, you'll be transported to Illinois' oldest pet cemetery via original HD video. Here, you'll uncover tales of the first onscreen dogs, discuss the concept "cinema of attractions," and explore Hollywood's gradual recognition of the need for animal protection. In the second half of the talk, you'll "walk" through another cemetery, this one including plots exclusively reserved for circus and sideshow performers. Amidst the headstones, you'll discover the connections between this space and the world of film and television. Finally, you'll explore the cemetery's haunted history. Join us on this journey through Chicagoland's cemeteries, where cinematic canines and circus stars find their eternal rest. Request Talk

Explore the history of Mardi Gras and its onscreen depictions, including some from Chicago film companies Mardi Gras and Movies in the Midwest Explore the history of Mardi Gras and its onscreen depictions, including some from Chicago film companies All Talks About In celebration of Fat Tuesday, explore the history of Mardi Gras and a few of its 200+ onscreen depictions, including some from Chicago film companies! In this hour-long program (offered virtually and in person), you will: Enjoy a short history of Mardi Gras , including the meaning behind its name, regional and global traditions, associated lawsuits, memes, and marketing. Explore movies that depict the famous New Orleans-based celebration , and learn why this annual raucous event has translated well to the silver screen since 1898! Compare pączki , a Fat Tuesday pastry common in Chicago and the Midwest, to New Orleans-style king cake , a ring of twisted cinnamon roll-style dough stuffed with cream cheese, praline, or strawberry—and a plastic baby doll. Request Talk

Go behind the scenes of "The Fugitive" to explore its Chicago roots, on-set challenges, and lasting legacy in film and TV history On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive Go behind the scenes of "The Fugitive" to explore its Chicago roots, on-set challenges, and lasting legacy in film and TV history All Talks About Step behind the camera of The Fugitive (1993), the Oscar-winning thriller filmed in Chicago. In this hour-long talk, you’ll uncover backstories from the movie’s whirlwind production—including script struggles, recasting challenges, and even studio debates about makeup. Along the way, we’ll situate the film in the larger history of TV and cinema, connecting it back to the 1960s series that inspired the blockbuster. From there, the program shifts to Chicago’s City Hall and the city’s famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Using original HD footage, you’ll walk virtually along the Chicago River, learning about the tradition of dyeing the water green, its role in The Fugitive’s iconic climax, and the environmental effects of the practice. Finally, we’ll examine the film’s enduring legacy, including its little-known 1998 sequel and its train derailment site that has become a popular tourist attraction. Request Talk

Discover the latest news and updates on Chicago Movie Tours' walking tours. Stay informed about upcoming tours, tips, and exclusive insights. Chicago in The Bear Yes, chef! Explore Chicago through the lens of the FX TV series The Bear on a new walking tour, coming soon. Covering 1 mile, Chicago in The Bear will immerse you in the rich history, architecture, and culture of Chicago as featured in the series. Be the first to know. Make sure you're on our email list to be notified when this tour is available to book. Send Me Updates!