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Delve into the backstories, productions, and locations of Chicago-based horror films "The Fury" and "Child's Play" Horror Movies in Chicago: Child's Play and The Fury Delve into the backstories, productions, and locations of Chicago-based horror films "The Fury" and "Child's Play" All Talks About Explore Chicago’s starring role in horror cinema through two cult classics: Brian De Palma’s The Fury (1978), a supernatural thriller featuring psychic experiments and a climactic sequence at the indoor amusement park Old Chicago , and Child’s Play (1988), where the infamous killer doll Chucky wreaks havoc across the city. Along the way, Dr. Kelli Marshall uncovers the production histories, inspirations, and Chicago landmarks tied to these films, while briefly spotlighting other local horrors such as Candyman , Flatliners , and Contagion . This hour-long talk blends film history, creepy thrills, and Chicago’s cinematic legacy. 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 Bozo Show This is an extreme close-up of Bucket #2 from The Grand Prize Game. The ball-in-a-bucket game was featured regularly on The Bozo Show , a highly popular and long-running children's television program that aired on WGN-TV in Chicago and nationally via Superstation WGN. The Grand Prize Game was created in 1962 by Don Sandburg , a producer and writer for The Bozo Show , and Bob Bell , who played Bozo the Clown. In the game, a boy and girl from the studio audience tried to toss ping-pong balls into six numbered buckets, each set farther away. Prizes increased in value with each successful bucket, culminating in a cash bonus, Schwinn bicycle, and a trip. A lucky home viewer whose postcard or envelope was drawn from the Bozo Drum won duplicate prizes of everything each in-studio player won. Fun memories for both Chicago-based kids and those watching outside the Windy City! A more somber memory of The Grand Prize Game comes from November 22, 1963. A news bulletin reporting that John F. Kennedy had been shot in Dallas, TX, interrupted WGN’s Bozo's Circus (as the show was then called) at the start of The Grand Prize Game. Years later, The Grand Prize Game would be licensed out for both home and coin-operated versions, the latter of which you can see here . 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. Fargo Oh no, we've momentarily lost the trivia for this one. Check back, and we'll have it up soon! 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

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

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 Fugitive Much of The Fugitive (Andrew Davis, 1993) is filmed in and around Chicago. But this scene, the dam jump, was shot in North Carolina at the Cheoah Dam. In this short video, Harrison Ford and the stunt coordinator (I assume?) recount how the scene was conceived and shot. 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

Celebrate six Chicago actors and the Hollywood musical for which they are most remembered Singin' in the Rain and Chicago Celebrate six Chicago actors and the Hollywood musical for which they are most remembered All Talks About Singin' in the Rain often ranks as the best film musical ever made—and, indeed, one of the best movies ever made. Set in 1927, the film tells the story of silent film stars as they navigate Hollywood's transition from the silent era to "talkies." No, Singin' in the Rain was not filmed in Chicago, nor does it take place here. But at least six of the movie's cast members are from or have strong connections to the Windy City. So on this virtual tour, which begins at a rain-inspired sculpture in Chicago, we will celebrate these six actors and the delightfully entertaining Hollywood musical for which they are remembered. 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. Chi-Raq Directed by Spike Lee, Chi-Raq is set in Chicago and explores gang violence on the city's South Side. When released, the movie was reviewed relatively well. But some Chicagoans begged to differ. Some city residents did not like the film's name, a portmanteau of Chicago and Iraq . Others did not approve of Chicago deaths being used for entertainment purposes. To be fair, both concerns appear to have been expressed before the film was released. In any event, like several of Spike Lee's movies, Chi-Raq is controversial and thought-provoking. Have you seen it? 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

Read Chicago Movie Tours' Tour Terms and Conditions, to which all guests and guest purchases are subject. Tour Terms and Conditions All guests and guest purchases are subject to the following Terms & Conditions. Please read these terms carefully before purchasing a tour ticket. They outline, among other things, our cancellation policy and certain limitations of liability. Cancel or Change Reservations Low Attendance Policy Weather Payment Discounts Pricing Group Bookings Video and Photography Notes and Other Materials Medical Accidents, Loss, or Damage to Property Guest Responsibility and Conduct Children Refunds Privacy Policy These Terms and Conditions govern the relationship between you ("the guest" and "you") and us, CHICAGO MOVIE TOURS & TALKS LLC ("we," "us," and our"). By purchasing your ticket or obtaining it via complimentary means, you are entering into this agreement with us. Last updated: JUNE 2025 1. Cancel or Change Reservations You may cancel or amend your reservation 48 hours or more before the tour departs. Cancellations received within 48 hours of tour departure—along with late arrivals and no-shows after a tour departs—are not eligible for refunds. For reschedule requests outside of the 48-hour period prior to a booked tour date, guests should email us with a preferred alternative date. Please note: we cannot guarantee an appropriate replacement tour date will always be available, but we will do our best to accommodate guests! Tickets are valid for the date and time for which the guest purchased them. Guests should carefully review all of their booking details, including contact email and/or phone number, to ensure no errors exist. 2. Low Attendance Policy To ensure we can provide a fun, engaging, and economically feasible tour, we require a minimum number of guests. We need at least 4 guests to run the majority of our public walking tours . Our movie tour at Old Joliet Prison , given its larger venue and the special arrangements needed to access the property, requires at least 20 guests. A low attendance policy helps us cover essential aspects such as travel time for our tour guide , parking costs downtown, property rental fees, and all the behind-the-scenes magic that goes into making your tour unforgettable. Plus, group participation makes a tour more fun! If we need to cancel a public walking tour due to low ticket sales, we'll notify you 24 hours in advance. You'll have the option to transfer your tickets to another tour date or receive a full refund—whichever works best for you. 3. Weather Policy Our walking tours, which promptly begin at the scheduled departure time and date, operate in rain, shine, or snow. If we must cancel a scheduled tour due to extreme or unsafe weather (e.g., heavy rain, ice, hail, tornadoes, winds, lightning), we will notify guests by email and/or text that the tour has been cancelled. Guests will receive a full refund, or they may transfer their tickets to another tour date. 4. Payment Credit card payment for online bookings through chicagomovietours.com is processed at the time of booking through Stripe , a safe and secure booking and payment processing system. PayPal is also available at checkout. All bookings are processed in U.S. Dollars (USD). Walk-up guests who wish to pay with cash or credit card may do so only if spots are available on the tour. NOTE: We will not have change for cash payments. For custom/private tours, a quote will be provided to customers based on their requests. A deposit may be required for larger tour groups. Prices do not include gratuities to the guide and are at your discretion. 5. Discounts and Coupons If guests have a coupon code or discount, they must apply it to their tour BEFORE purchasing a ticket. Unfortunately, we cannot apply retroactive discounts. No discount offered by Chicago Movie Tours can be combined with any other discount or special offer when booking, unless otherwise noted. All discounts and special offers are subject to availability and may be removed at any time at our discretion. 6. Pricing All rates for public group tours lie at the discretion of Chicago Movie Tours and are subject to change without notice. Once a guest has booked a tour with us, the guest will not be required to pay any difference in the event of a price increase, and we will not refund the balance of any price reduction. For group and private tours, we will provide a quote to the guest prior to booking. After the guest accepts a quote, a credit card may be required to hold the private tour. 7. Group Bookings For group bookings, the purchasing guest acts on behalf of all guests, including children, joining the tour. If the purchasing guest does not intend to participate, a representative who will be participating must be named and must inform us prior to starting the tour. If the purchasing guest is a company, group or partnership, an individual must be named as a responsible person. 8. Video and Photography Video and audio recording any of our tours and talks is prohibited. In some instances, we have spent years researching and compiling the material for our tours, and we have done so in order to offer guests a one-of-a-kind experience that features histories and anecdotes they will not hear anywhere else. Any form of copying or reproduction of our likeness or our tours will result in legal action. We may take photographic, video, or film records of any of our tours or talks, including guests, to use for promotional and/or commercial purposes. Guests should notify us if they do not want to be photographed. 9. Notes and Other Materials Any notes or other materials we supply to participants before, during, or after a tour or talk—whether in hard-copy, electronic format, or any other form—are the copyright of Chicago Movie Tours, without limitation, and are not to be reproduced in whole or in part, or distributed to any Third Party in any form whatsoever, without the express written permission of the copyright holder. 10. Medical Guests must be fit and well enough to take our walking tours. Guests with medical or health concerns should inform us of their condition in writing (i.e. via email) prior to the tour.The tour operator reserves the right to disqualify guests if they appear incapable and/or if their continued participation will in any way jeopardize either themselves or the rest of the tour group. Refunds are not given under such circumstances. Chicago Movie Tours is not responsible for the costs of any medical treatment guests may require during or after a tour. And we are not responsible for the quality of medical care, or lack thereof, guests may receive during or after a tour.If you have any reservations regarding your fitness for a tour, please contact us . 11. Accidents, Loss, or Damage to Property Customers are responsible for their personal property. We are not liable for any theft, loss, damage, delay, inconvenience, direct or consequential loss. We are also not responsible for any damage inflicted, accidentally or otherwise, on properties, artworks, or other items by the guest or the guest's children. 12. Guest Responsibility and Conduct Walking tours begin promptly at the scheduled departure time and date. Please be on time or early. We recommend arriving at least 10-20 minutes early in order to find the location, parking, and your tour guide. Guests should alert us immediately via phone or text at 312-685-1190 if they are lost. Guides are unable to make and receive calls once a tour has started. Guests should behave respectfully to others, including but not limited to tour operators, other guests, and members of the public, and to the property of others, including but not limited to shared facilities and public environment. We are happy to answer guests' questions but ask that they do not talk over the tour guide, consistently interrupt, heckle, or engage in other distracting behavior. We reserve the right to stop a tour if guests violate this agreement. No refund will be given, and the participants must pay the full compensation for any damages that might have been caused. 13. Children In general, our tours are not suited for children under 10 years old. Any attendees with disruptive children will be asked to leave. 14. Refunds Walking tour refunds are permitted for the following reasons: Low capacity Bad weather that does not permit the tour to run Guests inform us no later than 48 hours that they wish to cancel The tour is partially completed (guests will receive a 50% refund) 15. Privacy Policy Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website. Please read this privacy policy carefully . If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access our site.

Learn about the Chicago connections of a few giants of American comedy Comedy in Chicago: The Marx Brothers and Bob Newhart Learn about the Chicago connections of a few giants of American comedy All Talks About Chicago's onscreen history with comedy runs deep. This movie talk and accompanying original HD video footage will consider two giants of American film comedy, both of whom have strong ties to the Windy City. In Part 1, we'll begin with a leisurely walk to the Marx Brothers' Chicago home. There, you will learn about a subgenre of film called anarchic comedy. You'll also "take a ride" down a slice of historic Route 66 and see where the Marx family once owned a chicken farm. (Yes, a chicken farm.) Then in Part 2, we'll shift comedic gears to Bob Newhart. Newhart was born in Chicago, and his sitcom The Bob Newhart Show (1972-78) was set here as well. In this section of the talk, you'll visit three locations near and dear to the comedian and actor: his childhood home, his Oak Park apartment, and Navy Pier. Join Chicago Movie Tours and discover the city's comedy roots through TV and film! Request Talk

On a 90-minute guided movie walking tour, uncover Hollywood's dark past in Chicago through The Wizard of Oz, cocaine movies, and gangsters The Wizard of Oz and Dark Hollywood in Chicago On a 90-minute guided movie walking tour, uncover Hollywood's dark past in Chicago through The Wizard of Oz, cocaine movies, and gangsters Read Reviews Book Public Tour Book Private Tour About 1.5 hrs 1.25 mi. 8 guests $39.99 On a 90-minute guided movie walking tour, uncover Hollywood's dark past in Chicago through The Wizard of Oz, cocaine movies, and gangsters Meet up in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood for The Wizard of Oz and Dark Hollywood in Chicago , a 90-minute guided outdoor walking tour on the darker side of the silver screen! A park inspired by The Wizard of Oz , homes designed by Chicago's leading architect, and a theater built for moving pictures seem friendly enough. But a closer look at these three Chicago locations leads you down a destructive path closely tied to Hollywood. You'll start the tour in a neighborhood park devoted to The Wizard of Oz . Here, you'll learn about Chicago's connections to the beloved children's story. But also, brace yourself for untold, darker tales behind the iconic 1939 movie that may leave you shocked. Your adventure with The Wizard of Oz and Dark Hollywood in Chicago continues as you stroll down a tree-lined street, surrounded by houses with a rich history that whisper secrets of Hollywood's scandalous silent era. As you explore these architectural gems, your expert PhD tour guide , will disclose mind-boggling connections to "cocaine comedies." From there, you'll follow a narrow brick road. It's not yellow, alas. But look carefully as you walk, and you'll find written remnants of Chicago's past. On the final stretch, your tour takes a thrilling turn into the heart of Chicago's notorious gangster history, seamlessly interwoven with the glamour of Hollywood's golden era. Along your The Wizard of Oz and Dark Hollywood in Chicago journey, film clips, screenshots, newspaper clippings, and vintage movie magazines will transport you back in time, offering glimpses into the scandalous happenings of yesteryear. Don't miss your chance to be part of this adventure in Chicago. Book your spot! Movies/TV Highlighted Public Enemies (2009) High Fidelity (2000) The Wizard of Oz (1939) Get Out and Get Under (1920) The Mystery of the Leaping Fish (1916) For His Son (1912) The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1910) Public Tour Dates Sunday May 3, 2026 3:30 PM Buy Tickets Show More Dates Private Tours Book this tour as a private or group tour! The private tour price listed below is a flat fee for up to 8 guests. If you have more than 8 in your party, please contact us to see if we can accommodate you. Book Private $399 Tour Specifics Start/End Points The tour starts at Oz Park, 2021 N Burling St. next to the Tin Man sculpture (W. Webster/N. Larrabee). The tour ends at 2433 N Lincoln Ave. Waivers Guests must initial a digital general waiver of liability with Chicago Movie Tours when they book. Guardians must sign waivers for children under the age of 18. Low Attendance To ensure we can provide a fun, engaging, and economically feasible public tour, we typically need a minimum of 4 guests. Head over to Tour Terms and Conditions for more on this policy, including reasons behind it and your refund options if, in the rare instance, a tour is cancelled due to low attendance. Parking/Transportation If available, free parking spots run along the residential streets near Oz Park. Public transit : take the Brown Line or Purple Line to Armitage, or take the Brown, Purple, or Red Line to Fullerton. Our starting point is a 0.4 mile-walk from the Armitage 'L' station and a 0.5-mile walk from the Fullerton 'L' station. Accessibility All of our stops on the walking tour have sidewalks and crosswalks. We will travel down an original brick-paved road. What to Bring Please wear weather-appropriate clothing. Tours run rain or shine. Restrooms A Target store with a public restroom is near the start of our tour route. Children While this tour explores the children's story The Wizard of Oz , some content may not be appropriate for guests under age 13. Photography/Video No video or audio recording of the tour, but take as many pictures as you'd like! Cancellations and Refunds You may cancel or amend your reservation 48 hours or more before the tour departs. Read more Tour Terms and Conditions . What's Included Guided 90-min. outdoor walking tour in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, including buildings with National Historic and Chicago Landmark status Expert tour guide commentary from a PhD in film Obscure stories about Chicago's ties to The Wizard of Oz and Hollywood's scandalous past Small group to generate engagement and foster a personalized tour Visual and audio media to enhance your experience Plenty of Instagram opportunities Mini (Oz-themed) goodie bags! 💙 Reviews Michelle Wizard of Oz in Chicago average rating is 5 out of 5 What a gem of a find our tour was! A friend of mine and I did the Dark Hollywood tour today, as it sounded intriguing and something different to do. I had so much fun! Learned a ton about Chicago, Hollywood, The Wizard of Oz and other films, and even some broader history that I never knew, and I found it all fascinating. Also loved the incredible photos that the tour guide brought pertaining to all the relevant history. Tour guide was lovely and welcoming of all my questions. I look forward to taking another Movie Tour at the old Joliet prison in September! July 7, 2024 Todd Miller Wizard of Oz in Chicago average rating is 5 out of 5 Best Chicago tour I’ve been on. Don’t miss it!! November 11, 2023 Sarah Wizard of Oz in Chicago average rating is 5 out of 5 So glad I made the decision to attend my first tour with Chicago Movie Tours (Dark Hollywood and The Wizard of Oz in Chicago at Oz Park). The tour was fun and interactive. Kelli did a fantastic job of presenting and leading! She was a joy! Different mediums were used (book, photo, video, examining statues on the tour, & stories) to share history and movie knowledge. I learned a lot of information that I’ve been excited to share with others! Kelli did a wonderful job bringing Chicago and (multiple) movies together on this tour. Looking forward to attending more tours! November 1, 2023 Load More Reviews

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 Breakfast Club This close-up, low-angle shot of a piece of bologna stuck to a statue comes from The Breakfast Club , a 1985 teen movie directed by John Hughes and shot entirely in the northern suburbs of Chicago. During the film's lunch scene, Allison (Ally Sheedy), in disgust, throws a piece of bologna overhead, where it lands on a sculpture behind her. The character then makes a new sandwich—complete with white bread, wheat bread, butter, Pixy Stix, and Cap'n Crunch cereal. According to Sheedy , she settled on using that cereal "because the crunch was a very angry sound, and [Allison] was doing some things to get attention." Sheedy also remembers having to eat three of those concoctions, all of which "tasted really bad!" 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

Reconsider Chicago amusement parks through the lens of home movies and a dunking booth game Roller Coasters, Racism, and Chicago Home Movies Reconsider Chicago amusement parks through the lens of home movies and a dunking booth game All Talks About The popularity of the Midway Plaisance at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair spurred on the development of the American amusement park. Indeed, shortly after the Fair closed, amusement parks began to appear across the country, many located in and around Chicago . This virtual tour offers your patrons/guests a brief history of select amusement parks in Chicago through the lens of home movies. It also details the racism behind a popular game adults and children played at these parks. Finally, with the help of our HD video camera, you'll walk to the current location of the sign that welcomed families to an amusement park in Melrose Park, IL, called Kiddieland. NOTE: This virtual event includes historical material involving the use of offensive racial epithets. Request Talk