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 Dark Knight (2008) Standing on a street corner in Chicago, an unidentified man carries a duffle bag over his right shoulder and a clown mask in his left hand. Within seconds, he’s whisked away in an unmarked car, and the game’s afoot. This is the opening of The Dark Knight (2008). In the summer of 2007, The Dark Knight filmed in and around multiple locations in downtown Chicago (or Gotham, if you will), for example: Old Chicago Post Office Navy Pier Chicago Theater Millennium Station Lower Wacker Dr Chicago Board of Trade Building The first 66 days of the shoot took place in Chicago, beginning with the bank-heist sequence, as represented in today’s screenshot. Then, production traveled to the UK for 53 days. Then, it moved back to Chicago. This is an odd schedule for a big-budget movie. So here’s The Dark Knight 's director, Christopher Nolan, explaining the (intentional) traveling: “When we made The Dark Knight we quite specifically moved around. We started in Chicago, went to London, went back to Chicago which is a massive production no-no; you’re never supposed to go back to the same place. But it meant we constantly challenged people to work in a new environment on a daily basis.” Watch the full opening below, which takes place at S. Franklin St. and W. Van Buren St . 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. Widows (2018) Today’s screenshot comes from the 2018 Chicago-based heist thriller, Widows , directed by Steve McQueen and based on a British TV series of the same name. Let’s analyze… This is a medium shot of a politician named Jack Mulligan, played by Colin Farrell. Mulligan has just arrived in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood to meet with his political opponent (who is also a crime boss). The well-dressed Mulligan—with his shiny car, chauffeur in the background, and obvious unease over his surroundings—is somewhat out of his element here. Indeed, in the preceding scene, Mulligan is attending a fancy gala with other city bigwigs, all seated underneath the impressive Tiffany Dome at the Chicago Cultural Center. In the background of this shot, those familiar with Chicago’s historic movie houses will recognize the former Central Park Theater (c. 1917), pictured here in full . Located at 3535 W. Roosevelt Rd., the Central Park Theater is notable for several reasons: It is the first movie palace completed by Balaban and Katz and architectural firm Rapp and Rapp , a partnership that would spawn several landmark movie palaces like the Chicago, Oriental (now Nederlander), Riviera, and Uptown. It was among the first movie theaters in the nation to have air-conditioning. It offered a daycare in the basement. The Central Park Theater has served as a church since 1971. Behind the chauffeur, note the crosses etched into the walls. Start at 02:30 to watch the scene from Widows unfold. 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. 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

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. Thief (1981) This explosion falls at the end of the 1981 neo-noir Thief , directed by Michael Mann and starring James Caan, Jim Belushi, and Tuesday Weld. Here, Caan's character, Frank, has just blown up Chicago's Green Mill Lounge . Established in 1907 as Pop Morse's Roadhouse, the Green Mill has attracted many celebrities over the years: Gloria Swanson, Al Jolson, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holiday, to name a few. Gangster Al Capone also had his own booth at the joint, which is still there. In addition to its firey demise here in Thief, the Green Mill has also been featured in Ocean’s 12, High Fidelity, The Lake House, V.I. Warshawski , and Next of Kin . Finally, did you notice the faux-pas in Thief 's Green Mill scene? If you look closely at the car door when Caan opens it, you'll see the movie lights used to illuminate the scene. Check out a screenshot . 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. The Bob Newhart Show The Bob Newhart Show (1972-1978) stars comedian Bob Newhart as psychologist Bob Hartley, whose interactions with his wife, friends, patients, and colleagues spark humorous situations and witty dialogue, all filmed before a live audience. In the series, recurring jokes are often derived from Newhart’s stand-up comedy routines, particularly his one-sided telephone conversations . The show's opening credits—which you can watch below—pay homage to this comedic signature as they begin with Bob’s answering the phone with a simple "Hello?" Today’s screenshot shows you an extreme-long, low-angle shot of Newhart’s character passing by several landmark Chicago buildings. Here, Newhart's Bob Hartley is leaving his psychiatry practice for his commute home—which many have (rightly) described as bizarre. After all, if you were actually taking this route in Chicago, you'd be walking 7+ miles every day! Again, The Bob Newhart Show aired from 1972-78. But as you can see from these headlines, Chicagoans today are still perplexed by the out-of-the-way path Newhart’s character takes to get home: Chicagoans are still mad about ‘The Bob Newhart Show’ opening sequence Bob Newhart’s Bizarre Commute Home To Edgewater Took Him WAY Out Of His Way Crazy Commute (this blog post gives you a serious breakdown of the route, including a map !) Bob Newhart responds to critics of his opening credits commute from 'The Bob Newhart Show' Bob Newhart On The Glaring Error In “The Bob Newhart Show” Opening Credits 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. A League of Their Own Set during World War II, A League of Their Own (1992) follows the creation of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League as women step in to play baseball while men are off at war. The movie focuses on the rivalry and camaraderie between two sisters, Dottie (Geena Davis) and Kit (Lori Petty), and their journey to prove that women belong in the sport. One teammate who clearly belongs in the sport is the socially awkward Marla Hooch (Megan Cavanagh). Because of her plain appearance, Marla is initially overlooked, but she proves to be a powerful hitter and a valuable team member. What’s more, Marla is also perhaps the one player “who comes out of the film the most emotionally fulfilled.” The medium shot above is of Marla’s father. He has just showcased his daughter’s batting skills to a group of men—and declared she would have easily made the Yankees if she were a boy. Now, at a train station, he proudly bids his daughter farewell while pretending to swing a baseball bat. This scene with Marla and her father was filmed on location at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, Illinois. Here is a long shot of the same . Watch the full scene below, starting around minute 4:00. A League of Their Own also filmed at Chicago's Wrigley Field and in the Chicago suburbs. 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. The Killer In David Fincher's latest thriller, The Killer (2023), a pivotal scene set in New York was actually filmed in the Chicago suburb of St. Charles at the historic Hotel Baker . That is the focus—or should we say, shallow focus —of today’s screenshot. In the scene about to unfold, The Killer (Michael Fassbender) has just arrived at a swanky restaurant, where he and The Expert (Tilda Swinton) will share a tense interaction before tragedy unfolds. The screenshot shows the exterior of Hotel Baker’s Waterfront Ballroom (not actually a restaurant). The location overlooks the Fox River and normally functions as a space for small wedding receptions. On Facebook, the suburban Chicago hotel embraced its cinematic role despite being disguised in the film. The Killer filmed in Chicago in February and March 2022 in various locations across the city, including Chicago’s Union Station, as you can see in this screenshot . 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. When Harry Met Sally When Harry Met Sally is a romantic comedy that explores the evolving relationship between Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) over several years. Ultimately, the movie raises the question "Can men and women ever just be friends?” This extreme-long shot falls at the end of When Harry Met Sally . After the Harry and Sally profess their love to one another, the camera cranes back and up to a high angle to reveal the couple's position within a crowded New Years' Eve party. While this scene—and indeed, the majority of the movie—were not filmed in Chicago, the opening scenes were shot on the University of Chicago campus and Lake Shore Drive. For more on the film's few (but memorable) Chicago-based scenes, be sure to catch our virtual tour on food and Chicago in When Harry Met Sally . 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. The Bear (1.1) This is the opening shot of the FX television series The Bear . Atop Chicago’s Clark Street Bridge , chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) comes face-to-face with a caged brown bear. Once released from its confines, the bear attacks, and Carmy wakes up in a restaurant kitchen. The 70-second sequence is a dream, a memorable and attention-grabbing dream. The Bear ’s co-showrunner and writer, Joanna Calo, says this sequence was crafted to grab the viewers’ attention so they’d put their phones away. The writers wanted to “trick people into watching more,” she jokes. More seriously, she continues: “But it is a way to let people know you’re going to want to sit down for this and pay attention.” Based on the popular and critical acclaim for The Bear , the intent behind this dream sequence worked: people are definitely paying attention. Watch a portion of this 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

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. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation This close-up shot of a squirrel comes to you from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation . In the 1989 comedy, the Griswolds try to have a “good old-fashioned family Christmas.” But as usual with this family, everything that can go wrong does—including that moment a squirrel who has been nesting in the family Christmas tree gets loose in the house. In an oral history of the film, Christmas Vacation ’s director, Jeremiah Chechik, recalls shooting this scene , which frankly, sounds as chaotic as what made it on film! For the dog and squirrel chase, we hired an animal trainer who trained them everyday for months to run through the set. When it came time to finally shoot what we’d been planning, I got out of my car and saw everyone standing in a huddle shaking their heads, and I knew something was terribly wrong. I asked them what was going on, and they said, “We have a problem.” “Okay, what?” “The squirrel’s dead.” I said, “Holy fuck, we’re shooting that today!” And the animal trainer turned and said, “Ya know, they don’t live that long.” We still had to shoot the scene, so we used an untrained squirrel. It was just total chaos. Related Content Book our talk Behind the Scenes: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation . See if this talk is coming to a location near you. 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. The Dark Knight From The Dark Knight (2008), this shot depicts a semi-truck flipping over in front of the Chicago Board of Trade Building and city's banking district. This movie stunt from The Dark Knight is impressive for several reasons. But perhaps the main reason is that it is achieved via practical special effects (as opposed to visual effects ). A practical effect is created physically, without the use of CGI or other post-production techniques. In short, the crew literally flipped a Mack truck on the streets of downtown Chicago. Read more here about how the director, Christopher Nolan, and his stunt coordinator, Paul Jennings, pulled off this memorable special effect. 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. Space Jam In Space Jam (1996), Chicago Bulls basketball legend Michael Jordan teams up with the Looney Tunes characters to win a basketball game against aliens. The film combines live-action and animation, and it culminates in a victory with Jordan’s iconic slam dunk. To achieve the live-action/animated special effects in 1995-96, artists took their original drawings and paintings (from paper) and scanned them into a computer. After that, the animators “touched them up, and then separated elements to give [audiences] various depths of field.” Read more about the painstaking process in Part 2 of Space Jam’s oral history . Matt Johnson, one of Space Jam ’s digital artists, recalls one particularly difficult shot that includes the Chicago skyline : “There’s a shot where we start with Michael Jordan in a press conference and it goes up through a CG roof and then you see the Chicago panoramic skyline, past a miniature, and you go up and then it carries onto this big sequence as you travel past the moon, and then you’re into the toon CG world.” Johnson continues. For the shot, “I turned [the camera] on its side and I think I got a couple of people including myself just to stand against a white wall and kind of wave or make movements and things like that, and I just stuck us in the window. So if you look very carefully there are little people waving in the windows of the Chicago skyline, and that’s me and a couple of other people from the office.” Watch the full sequence below, where you’ll find the above medium shot of Michael Jordan at the press conference. 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