Scholarship Years of teaching, research, and public scholarship continue to shape every Chicago Movie Tours & Talks experience Although my work today focuses on Chicago Movie Tours & Talks, these courses, publications , and presentations reflect the scholarly foundation that continues to inform my research, tours, and public programs. Courses See my history of university-level instruction spanning media literacy, film theory, television history, and genre studies—from classical Hollywood to Shakespeare in film. Jump to Courses Publications Explore my curated collection of peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and media research spanning classical Hollywood, television studies, and film adaptation. Coming Soon Presentations Browse notable speaking engagements, cinema society panels, keynote addresses, and academic presentations delivered at conferences, universities, and other venues. Coming Soon Courses Before founding Chicago Movie Tours & Talks, I spent 15 years teaching university courses in film, television, literature, and popular culture. These courses reflect the scholarly foundation that continues to inform my tours, talks, and public programs today. Courses That Shaped My Talks Many of my current talks began as university courses, later adapted for libraries, museums, lifelong learning programs, and community audiences. While redesigned for public audiences, they remain grounded in the same research, historical context, and multimedia approach that shaped my teaching. University Courses Public Programs American Film Comedy • Sitcom, Satire, and Sketch Comedy • Stand-Up Comedy Documented Students explored the history of American film comedy through influential films, examining the genre's conventions; cultural significance; and the ways comedy reflects gender, class, race, and society. Comedy & Culture Series Reimagined for public audiences, these multimedia presentations explore American comedy through iconic films, memorable performers, and the ways humor reflects history, culture, and everyday life. Current programs: Comedy in Chicago: Marx Brothers and Bob Newhart Chicago, Christmas Movies, and Class Christmas in Chicago: Location and Legacy in While You Were Sleeping Holiday Chaos: Behind the Scenes of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation University Course Public Program Cinema History Students traced the evolution of American cinema from the silent era through the rise of the studio system and beyond, examining landmark films, industry developments, and Hollywood's cultural impact. Hollywood History Series Using past university lectures, these multimedia presentations explore Hollywood’s history and cultural impact through cinematic movements, influential performers, and the ways film reflects changing ideas about race, gender, identity, and society.. Current programs: Brief History of Hollywood Film Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds Cinematic Canines and Circus Stars in Chicagoland Cemeteries Gender in Hollywood: Men Gender in Hollywood: Women University Course Public Programs Introduction to Film Students learned the fundamentals of film analysis, exploring cinematic techniques, storytelling, genre, and critical approaches while developing the skills to interpret and evaluate movies. Film Appreciation Series Expanded into a series of public programs, these multimedia talks introduce audiences to the language of film—from makeup and cinematography to editing and sound—helping viewers experience movies with new insight. Current programs: How Are Movie Worlds Created? How Do Movies Guide Your Eyes? How Do Movies Link All Those Images? Why Is Movie Sound So Powerful? Movie Makeup and Toupees in 1920s Chicago University Course Public Programs Seinfeld Students examined Seinfeld as both a groundbreaking sitcom and a cultural phenomenon, exploring its production, historical context, critical reception, and lasting influence on American television. Seinfeld Series Expanded into a series of public programs, these multimedia presentations explore Seinfeld 's enduring cultural legacy, from the origins of Festivus to the sitcom's unforgettable use of food as comedy, character, and social commentary. Current programs: Festivus 101: A Celebration for the Rest of Us No Soup for You! The Role of Food in Seinfeld University Course Public Program Gene Kelly and the Art of Cine-dance Created for Facets Film School (Chicago), this course examined how Gene Kelly transformed the Hollywood musical by integrating choreography, camerawork, editing, and special effects into the cinematic art of "cine-dance." Gene Kelly Series Adapted for general audiences, these multimedia presentations explore Gene Kelly's career, creative innovations, and lasting influence on the Hollywood musical through film history, rare archival materials, and original research. Current programs: Inside Gene Kelly's House Singin' in the Rain and Chicago University Course Public Program Film Noir Students explored the history of film noir and neo-noir, analyzing its style, recurring themes, character types, and cultural significance through classic and contemporary films. Film Noir: Hollywood's Darkest Timeline Inspired by this university course, this multimedia presentation traces the origins and evolution of film noir, exploring its shadowy aesthetics, unforgettable characters, and lasting influence on American cinema, Chicago included. → Book This Program

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. My Best Friend's Wedding My Best Friend's Wedding is a romantic comedy that centers on Julianne (Julia Roberts), a food critic who realizes she's in love with her longtime best friend, Michael (Dermot Mulroney). Inconveniently, Julianne figures this out only a few days before Michael’s wedding to Kimmy (Cameron Diaz). Determined to win Michael’s love, Julianne tries to sabotage the wedding. The 1997 movie—which filmed on location all around Chicago —explores themes of love, friendship, and the complexities of unrequited feelings. This long shot of Julianne and Kimmy takes place inside the china department in the old Marshall Field & Co. department store on State St. (the store is now owned by Macy’s). Here, Julianne tries to convince Kimmy to get her wealthy father to offer Michael a job. This, she knows, will upset Michael and lead him, presumably, to break off the wedding. Julianne's scheme fails. A box office success in 1997, My Best Friend’s Wedding is notable for at least two reasons: First, the movie subverts rom-com tropes . Unlike most romantic comedies, in which the protagonist ends up with the person she loves, My Best Friend's Wedding defies expectations by not having Julianne "win" Michael in the end. Instead, Michael goes through with his marriage to Kimmy, leaving Julianne to come to terms with her feelings and behavior. For a mainstream Hollywood rom-com, the conclusion is rather bittersweet. Second, Julia Roberts plays a villain (of sorts). Considered “America’s sweetheart” at the time, Roberts does not play the typical lovable rom-com heroine in My Best Friend’s Wedding . She spends much of the film manipulating people to break up her best friend's wedding—unconventional actions not only for a protagonist in this genre, but also for Julia Roberts’ established 1990s star image. 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. Cooley High Cooley High (1975) is a coming-of-age comedy-drama set in 1960s Chicago. It follows high school friends Preach (Glynn Turman) and Cochise (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs) as they navigate life, dreams, and hardships in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green housing projects . The above screenshot marks a pivotal moment in Cooley High , shifting the film’s tone from lighthearted to deeply emotional. In this long shot, Cochise, a promising athlete, is tragically killed under the ‘L’ tracks by neighborhood hoodlums. Preach finds his friend’s lifeless body and screams for help, but the screeching train tires above drown out his cries. A touching funeral scene follows. Cochise’s funeral is filmed at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, IL, the final resting place for thousands of South Chicago residents and their families. Over the heartbreaking scene, which you can watch below, the song “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday ” plays. If you are of a certain age and recognize the song outside of Cooley High , it’s likely because you remember the a cappella version recorded by Boyz II Men in 1991 . 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

Learn how the TV series "Seinfeld" uses food to define characters, shape dialogue, and reveal (often wacky) American social norms No Soup for You! The Role of Food in "Seinfeld" Learn how the TV series "Seinfeld" uses food to define characters, shape dialogue, and reveal (often wacky) American social norms All Talks About What does a sitcom "about nothing " have to say about something as universal as food? Quite a lot, it turns out. In this hour-long talk, you'll discover how the TV series Seinfeld (1989-1998) uses food to define its characters, shape their conversations, and highlight society’s endless—and often absurd—rules around eating. From marble rye to the Soup Nazi, from the Big Salad to the Junior Mint, food in Seinfeld is rarely just about what’s on the plate. Through clips and screenshots, this talk traces the show’s nine-season run and highlights the most memorable—and culturally revealing—food moments. Presenter Dr. Kelli Marshall , who has taught a college course devoted to Seinfeld , published articles on the show , and even Skyped with a cast member, guides you through how one of television’s most celebrated sitcoms turned food into a comedic feast of meaning. 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. Home Alone 2 Today's #OneShotWed comes from Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), a movie filmed mostly in Chicago while set predominately in Manhattan. In this shot, the film's bandit holds an ad for a massive toy store called Duncan's Toy Chest—clearly one of the first places a kid might venture into while lost in New York. Fun fact: Chicago's Rookery Building serves as the exterior of Duncan's Toy Chest. Check it out in the clip 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

Visit a mill from the credits of "Gone with the Wind," and uncover how Black Chicagoans and "The Chicago Defender" reacted to the 1939 movie Gone with the Wind in Chicago: Place, Protest, and the Black Press Visit a mill from the credits of "Gone with the Wind," and uncover how Black Chicagoans and "The Chicago Defender" reacted to the 1939 movie All Talks About This 60-minute talk explores Gone with the Wind not as a Hollywood epic, but as a cultural flashpoint—tracing its contested legacy through place, protest, and the powerful voice of Chicago’s Black press. Through HD video, we go on location to Little Rock, Arkansas, to visit a grist mill briefly shown in the opening credits of Gone with the Wind . We then turn to The Chicago Defender , the Chicago-based African American newspaper founded in 1905. Drawing on contemporary articles, photographs, and interviews from the Defender , we return to Chicago in 1939 to examine how Gone with the Wind was received—by the general public and by protestors alike. The program concludes with the film’s recent reappraisal, including its (temporary) removal from media outlets such as HBO. PLEASE NOTE : This talk does not address Gone with the Wind 's production history, stars, plotlines, characters, or fandom. The focus is on the movie's credit sequence, public response, and media coverage. Request Talk

Visit Vicksburg, Mississippi, as you learn about its ties to Chicago and movies Chicago and Movies on the Mississippi River Visit Vicksburg, Mississippi, as you learn about its ties to Chicago and movies All Talks About Hit the road with Chicago Movie Tours! Filled with original HD video footage, this unique hour-long talk takes you on location to four spots in historic Vicksburg, Mississippi. Specifically, you will: Explore the Mississippi River and magnolia trees at sunset. See where the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? filmed a prominent scene. Hear about a Chicago-based silent movie filmed inside a Vicksburg military park. Experience markers and a film role dedicated to Chicago blues musician Willie Dixon. Anyone who loves uncovering surprising connections between cities, cinema, and culture will enjoy this talk. Request Talk

Analyze the relationship between sound and image Why Is Movie Sound So Powerful? Analyze the relationship between sound and image All Talks About A dinosaur's roar, a dancer's tap shoes, a lightsaber's hum: each of these sounds conveys meaning in relationship to its accompanying image—respectively, terror, talent, and anticipation. If you're interested in learning how such sounds are made, "sweetened," and then rendered onscreen, then join us for this hour-long discussion on the relationship between sound and image. You'll also explore several sound techniques; three types of sound (voice, music, sound effects); and the power of sound in cinema. Request Talk

Ready to bring a talk to your group? Use this form to request a talk from Chicago Movie Tours. Request a Talk Ready to bring a talk to your group? Fill out the form below. First name* Last name Email* Organization/Affiliation Select a Talk* In Person or Virtual?* Preferred date* Preferred Time* Secondary Preferred Date Secondary Preferred Time Any questions? Opt in to receive news about future talks. Submit Request

Celebrate Festivus with a fun, expert-led talk exploring its origins, "Seinfeld" debut, quirky rituals, and lasting pop culture appeal Festivus 101: A Celebration for the Rest of Us Celebrate Festivus with a fun, expert-led talk exploring its origins, "Seinfeld" debut, quirky rituals, and lasting pop culture appeal All Talks About Celebrate the holiday “for the rest of us” with a deep dive into Festivus, the delightfully offbeat tradition popularized by the TV series Seinfeld . Observed each year on December 23, Festivus began as a playful response to the commercialism and expectations of the Christmas season—and it comes complete with its now-iconic unadorned aluminum pole. In this one-hour virtual talk, we’ll explore the surprising origins of Festivus, from its real-life roots to its unforgettable debut on Seinfeld . Along the way, we’ll unpack its rituals, examine its lasting impact on pop culture, and consider why this made-up holiday continues to resonate with audiences decades later. Led by a former film professor who has taught college-level courses on Seinfeld , published scholarship on the series, and interviewed a cast member, this program offers an expert, insider perspective you won’t find in a typical holiday talk. Request Talk

Review Oscar's history as it relates to Hollywood and Chicago The Oscars and Chicago Review Oscar's history as it relates to Hollywood and Chicago All Talks About Join us for The Oscars and Chicago as we consider Hollywood's most prestigious awards and their unexpected connections to the Windy City. We'll start this hour-long talk with a backstory of the Oscars, including why and how they were created. Then, we'll look at Chicago’s links to this Los Angeles-based event, focusing specifically on the statuette and a few industry game-changers from Chicago. Finally, we'll wrap up the program with a (virtual) tour of Chicago’s Grant Park, where a recent Best Picture nominee spent considerable time filming. Dust off your black dress or tuxedo! The Oscars and Chicago is about to begin. 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