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- Request a Talk Form | Chicago Movie Tours
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? Submit Request
- Widows | Movies Filmed in Chicago | One-Shot Wednesdays
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 Widows is a 2018 heist movie about four women with nothing in common but a debt left behind by their dead husbands' criminal activities. Today's #OneShotWed reflects the funeral of one of those husbands. The TV show on which Widows is based, also called Widows , is set in London. But British director Steve McQueen wanted to adapt the story to Chicago. In his words: "I wanted a contemporary place, a modern city, and Chicago seemed to be that place. Politics, race, corruption, policing, gender, all those things, it was all there, in Chicago.” Read more about Widows ' Chicago connections . And watch Widows ! 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
- How Do Movies Link All Those Images? | Chicago Movie Tours
Upcoming Talks See where Kelli will be speaking next—online and in person. Sep 16, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT From Ferris to the Frontlines: Chicago's Art Institute and Grant Park in the Movies / Bridgeview Public Library, 7840 W 79th St, Bridgeview, IL 60455, USA Learn more Sep 16, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT Bridgeview Public Library, 7840 W 79th St, Bridgeview, IL 60455, USA From Ferris Bueller to political drama, see the Art Institute of Chicago and Grant Park through the lens of film Nov 18, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CST Chicago and The Wizard of Oz / Bridgeview Public Library, 7840 W 79th St, Bridgeview, IL 60455, USA Learn more Nov 18, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CST Bridgeview Public Library, 7840 W 79th St, Bridgeview, IL 60455, USA Discover Chicago's connections to 'The Wizard of Oz' Dec 09, 2025, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CST Behind the Scenes: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation / Green Hills Public Library, 10331 Interlochen Dr, Palos Hills, IL 60465, USA Register Dec 09, 2025, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CST Green Hills Public Library, 10331 Interlochen Dr, Palos Hills, IL 60465, USA Yule love it! Unwrap the holiday magic and dive into the world of the Griswold family Mar 05, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CST Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen / Naperville Public Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr, Naperville, IL 60564, USA Register Mar 05, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CST Naperville Public Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr, Naperville, IL 60564, USA Explore hidden stories of women who shaped early Chicago cinema, with HD footage of key locations where they lived and worked Registration links to dates in the far future may not yet be available. Check back, or subscribe to be notified . Host This Crowd Favorite! How Do Movies Link All Those Images? Learn the basics of movie editing Learn More View All Talks
- The Fugitive (1993) | Movies Filmed in Chicago | One-Shot Wednesdays
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 (1993) In The Fugitive (1993), Harrison Ford plays Dr. Richard Kimble, a Chicago surgeon wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife. Kimble escapes custody and sets out to prove his innocence while being relentlessly pursued by U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard, played by Tommy Lee Jones. Filmed in iconic Chicago locations like City Hall, Daley Plaza, and (the former) Cook County Hospital, as well as rural areas in North Carolina, The Fugitive combines suspense with a vivid sense of place: that place, of course, Chicago. The above screenshot is a close-up of a book called Atlas of Limb Prosthetics: Surgical and Prosthetic Principles by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. In this scene, Dr. Kimble has rented an apartment from a Polish woman and her son (see clip below). Here, Kimble plans to hide from the police while researching the one-armed man that, he believes, killed his wife. In this shot, Kimble is asleep with the medical book he's been reading resting on his chest. In The Fugitive , the book Atlas of Limb Prosthetics functions as a fictional prop. That said, it is an actual book , first published in 1981, aimed at orthopaedic surgeons. Four editions of the book have been published since 1981, the most recent in 2023 . The prop department for The Fugitive secured the most recent edition at the time, the second (1992), for Harrison Ford to hold while his character naps. 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
- Hollywood Bites: From Golden Age Glamour to Rom-Com Delights | Chicago Movie Tours
Upcoming Talks See where Kelli will be speaking next—online and in person. Sep 16, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT From Ferris to the Frontlines: Chicago's Art Institute and Grant Park in the Movies / Bridgeview Public Library, 7840 W 79th St, Bridgeview, IL 60455, USA Learn more Sep 16, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT Bridgeview Public Library, 7840 W 79th St, Bridgeview, IL 60455, USA From Ferris Bueller to political drama, see the Art Institute of Chicago and Grant Park through the lens of film Nov 18, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CST Chicago and The Wizard of Oz / Bridgeview Public Library, 7840 W 79th St, Bridgeview, IL 60455, USA Learn more Nov 18, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CST Bridgeview Public Library, 7840 W 79th St, Bridgeview, IL 60455, USA Discover Chicago's connections to 'The Wizard of Oz' Dec 09, 2025, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CST Behind the Scenes: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation / Green Hills Public Library, 10331 Interlochen Dr, Palos Hills, IL 60465, USA Register Dec 09, 2025, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CST Green Hills Public Library, 10331 Interlochen Dr, Palos Hills, IL 60465, USA Yule love it! Unwrap the holiday magic and dive into the world of the Griswold family Mar 05, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CST Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen / Naperville Public Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr, Naperville, IL 60564, USA Register Mar 05, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CST Naperville Public Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr, Naperville, IL 60564, USA Explore hidden stories of women who shaped early Chicago cinema, with HD footage of key locations where they lived and worked Registration links to dates in the far future may not yet be available. Check back, or subscribe to be notified . Host This Crowd Favorite! Hollywood Bites: From Golden Age Glamour to Rom-Com Delights Discover a Chicago restaurant booth frequented by classic movie stars, and analyze food in "When Harry Met Sally" Learn More View All Talks
- Makeup, Costume, and Toupees in 1920s Chicago | Chicago Movie Tours
Upcoming Talks See where Kelli will be speaking next—online and in person. Sep 16, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT From Ferris to the Frontlines: Chicago's Art Institute and Grant Park in the Movies / Bridgeview Public Library, 7840 W 79th St, Bridgeview, IL 60455, USA Learn more Sep 16, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT Bridgeview Public Library, 7840 W 79th St, Bridgeview, IL 60455, USA From Ferris Bueller to political drama, see the Art Institute of Chicago and Grant Park through the lens of film Nov 18, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CST Chicago and The Wizard of Oz / Bridgeview Public Library, 7840 W 79th St, Bridgeview, IL 60455, USA Learn more Nov 18, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CST Bridgeview Public Library, 7840 W 79th St, Bridgeview, IL 60455, USA Discover Chicago's connections to 'The Wizard of Oz' Dec 09, 2025, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CST Behind the Scenes: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation / Green Hills Public Library, 10331 Interlochen Dr, Palos Hills, IL 60465, USA Register Dec 09, 2025, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CST Green Hills Public Library, 10331 Interlochen Dr, Palos Hills, IL 60465, USA Yule love it! Unwrap the holiday magic and dive into the world of the Griswold family Mar 05, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CST Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen / Naperville Public Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr, Naperville, IL 60564, USA Register Mar 05, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM CST Naperville Public Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr, Naperville, IL 60564, USA Explore hidden stories of women who shaped early Chicago cinema, with HD footage of key locations where they lived and worked Registration links to dates in the far future may not yet be available. Check back, or subscribe to be notified . Host This Crowd Favorite! Makeup, Costume, and Toupees in 1920s Chicago Explore makeup and costumes from cinema's earliest days to the present Learn More View All Talks
- Walking Tours Updates and News
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!
- Wayne's World | Movies Filmed in Chicago | One-Shot Wednesdays
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. Wayne's World This screenshot comes from the most recognizable scene in the 1992 comedy Wayne’s World . The "Bohemian Rhapsody" scene features the film’s main characters, Wayne (Mike Myers) and Garth (Dana Carvey), headbanging in a car with their friends as they lip-sync to Queen's rock ballad. The moment, which kicks off the movie, became a cultural phenomenon, and it boosted the track's popularity years after its original release. Although Wayne’s World is set in Aurora, Illinois (a far-western suburb of Chicago), virtually none of the movie was filmed here. It was shot in and around Los Angeles. Most of the Chicago-area footage Wayne’s World does include, you’ll find in the “Bohemian Rhapsody” montage. For example, as the characters sing and drive, look for: Ray Krey’s Wheels Automart Midwest Eye Clinic (with Native American figure atop) Scatchell’s Beef Stand Chicago Joe’s the Spindle Unfortunately, some of these locales, like the Spindle, no longer exist. Featured in today’s screenshot, the Spindle stood on Cermak Plaza at Harlem Avenue in Berwyn, Illinois , about 13 miles west of Chicago. It was created in 1989 by Dustin Schuler and has had several names: the Spindle Car Kabob Cars on a Spike In short, the Spindle was a 50-foot spike with eight cars ranging in styles from the 1960s to the 1980s impaled upon it. The sculpture was torn down in May of 2008, with demolition costing around $300,000. The good news: the Spindle, of course, still lives on in Wayne's World and, amazingly, within the Library of Congress . What’s more, as of this writing, you’ll can visit a tiny version of the sculpture in the parking lot of Paisan’s Pizzeria in Berwyn . 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
- Harry and Tonto | Movies Filmed in Chicago | One-Shot Wednesdays
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. Harry and Tonto Harry and Tonto (1974) follows widowed retiree Harry Coombes (Art Carney) and his faithful cat, Tonto, on a cross-country journey. As the pair travel from NYC to LA—stopping in Chicago—they encounter interesting characters and experiences that challenge Harry’s perspectives on life, love, and aging. In this medium shot, Tonto cleans himself on the back dashboard of Harry’s car. The 1970s Chicago skyline is visible in the background. Harry and Tonto filmed for 2.5 weeks in Chicago before cast and crew headed west to the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, and finally Los Angeles (Greeley Daily Tribune , 24 Oct 1973). During production, Art Carney grew quite fond of the cat who played Tonto, a 4-year-old stray off the streets of LA. “The cat’s in love with Art,” said his trainer, Betty Schumacher in a 1974 interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch . In fact, after Harry and Tonto wrapped, Carney tried to buy the cat actor. But alas, he was not for sale. ⚠️ Warning for sensitive viewers: the cat dies in the film. 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
- Child's Play (1988) | Movies Filmed in Chicago | One-Shot Wednesdays
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. Child's Play (1988) This #OneShotWed comes from the 1988 horror movie Child's Play . In the film, a single mother named Karen (Catherine Hicks) gives her son a doll named Chucky, only to discover it's possessed by the soul of a serial killer. Yikes! The medium shot above—of a now-charred and beheaded Chucky—takes place toward the end of Child’s Play . In this scene, the doll has cornered Karen and her son, Andy, in the hallway of their apartment . In the process, Karen shoots off Chucky’s head and several of his limbs. In addition to a dozen puppeteers, Chucky moved with the help of actor Ed Gale. Gale is a little person who donned Chucky’s costume and wig for various scenes, including the one above in which Karen sets the doll on fire. This practical effect—i.e., a special effect performed on set using no digital enhancement—required Gale to be set ablaze. In the actor’s own words, “They set one arm on fire first, then my chest, then both arms. You wear an oxygen mask. I did the scene in segments. First I was on fire in the fireplace, cut. Kicking the gate open, cut. Walk out on fire, cut. Each was only about 45 seconds, which is a little less than a lifetime when you’re on fire.” (“Your Friend 'Til the End: An Oral History of Child's Play ,” Mental Floss ) For more, listen to Gale discuss his time playing Chucky . Sadly, Gale made news more recently (2023) when he admitted “to engaging in sexually explicit online conversations with a boy he thought was 14 with the aim of having a physical encounter.” 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
- Planes, Trains and Automobiles | Movies Filmed in Chicago | One-Shot Wednesdays
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. Planes, Trains and Automobiles Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a 1987 comedy about a Chicago marketing executive (Steve Martin) who's forced to travel with a talkative shower curtain ring salesman (John Candy) on his meandering way home for Thanksgiving. In today's #OneShotWed, Steve Martin's character is trying to rent a car. In the process, he spews 19 "f-bombs" at the car rental employee (Edie McClurg). Despite what some Planes, Trains, and Automobiles fans think, Martin did not improvise anything in this scene . In fact, he credits John Hughes' writing for the now-classic scene: "There's a certain rhythm to John's writing. And if you start just saying the f-word anytime you want, it's just going to fall out of whack and not be poetic." 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
- Virtual Tours | Chicago Movie Tours
On virtual walking tours, discover Chicago and movies through real-time participation, HD video, interactive maps, and other unique media forms. Virtual Tours Discover Chicago and film virtually through participation, HD video, and other media. Sep 4, 2025 6:00 PM Inside Gene Kelly's House: A Virtual Tour Visit one of Hollywood's best song-and-dance man with a tour to his homes DETAILS Oct 7, 2025 11:30 PM 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" DETAILS Sep 23, 2025 11:30 PM The Breakfast Club and Chicago Through location and music, discover how 'The Breakfast Club' defines a generation of moviegoers DETAILS Dec 8, 2025 11:00 PM Festivus 101: A Virtual Celebration for the Rest of Us Become an expert on Festivus and its place in pop culture DETAILS Sep 29, 2025 6:00 PM Chicago Landmarks on Film: Grant Park and the Art Institute From Ferris Bueller to political drama, see Grant Park and the Art Institute of Chicago through the lens of film DETAILS Watch a Virtual Tour What's Included Chicago Movie Tours' virtual tours and events incorporate the following, when applicable, to bring the subject matter to life: HD video High-quality photos Expertly designed animated slideshows Clips and screengrabs Maps (to orient you as you "travel" with us) Vintage newspaper articles and ads Classic movie fan magazine excerpts Well-researched commentary Additionally, we always include opportunities for audience contribution.