Search Results

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. Source Code Source Code is a 2011 sci-fi thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, and Jeffrey Wright. Gyllenhaal plays a soldier tasked with identifying a terrorist in a simulated reality. In this slightly low-angle long shot, Gyllenhaal’s character stands with his friend/love interest (Monaghan), before the Bean (aka. Cloud Gate ) in Chicago’s Millennium Park . You can watch the full 90-second scene below. According to Gyllenhaal, the cast and crew spent only one day filming Source Code in Chicago. That said, the actor expresses much fondness for the city: "It would have been nice to have the whole movie there; it's such an amazing city and we had a great time the day that we were there. A lot of what you see in the movie is really Chicago that was digitally inserted [in post-production, like Metra trains ]. With a movie like this, with budgets being what they are, there were constraints.” (Chicago Tribune , 1 Apr 2011) Despite the short production schedule, this scene at the Bean is significant to Source Code ’s narrative. The director, Duncan Jones, says, the sculpture “is the perfect representation of what the movie is. We need to begin and end the movie there." And so, they did. Jones talks more about filming at the Bean in this interview . 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

Dive into film noir—dark plots, dim lights, and dangerous cities, including Chicago Film Noir: Hollywood's Darkest Timeline Dive into film noir—dark plots, dim lights, and dangerous cities, including Chicago All Talks About Skip the monsters and ghosts—Hollywood’s real dark side is film noir. Translated as “black cinema,” film noir brims with gritty plots, seedy characters, and shadowy cities—including Chicago. In this hour-long talk, Dr. Kelli Marshall guides you through noir's French origins, cultural influences, aesthetics, and recurring character types. Along the way, you’ll revisit classics like Double Indemnity and Murder, My Sweet and discover lesser-known gems such as Undertow —all part of America’s darkest, most psychologically unsettling era of filmmaking. 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

Discover a Chicago restaurant booth frequented by classic movie stars, and analyze food in "When Harry Met Sally" 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" All Talks About Indulge in tales about a white booth once nestled inside a glamorous Chicago hotel restaurant, where classic Hollywood movie stars converged. Then, turn to the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally , as you uncover how food offers insight into its characters' lives, even in fleeting Chicago scenes. Through HD video footage, the University of Chicago and Chicago's Union Station will serve as backdrops for your culinary movie journey. Request Talk

Celebrate Illinois' Oscar winners, scandalous moments, and "Oscar bait" as you countdown to this year's Academy Awards Countdown to the Oscars: Illinois Winners, Scandalous Moments, and Oscar Bait Celebrate Illinois' Oscar winners, scandalous moments, and "Oscar bait" as you countdown to this year's Academy Awards All Talks About This program aims to prepare you for Hollywood's biggest night—the Oscars! In our hour-long talk, we'll shine the spotlight on Illinois' rich history of Academy Award success, celebrating winners from Chicago and beyond. We'll also dish on some of the most unforgettable and scandalous moments in Oscar history that had everyone talking. Plus, you'll learn all about the term Oscar bait —what it is, why it (sometimes) works, and how it shapes the race for the gold. Grab your popcorn, settle in, and join us for an entertaining and insightful countdown to the Oscars! 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. Man of Steel In this scene from Man of Steel (2013), Superman (Henry Cavill) battles his enemy, General Zod (Michael Shannon), to the death. The lengthy fight scene, part of which you can watch below, ends inside Chicago's Union Station . At right, a family is trapped in the fire beams emanating from Zod's deadly eyes. During an interview with Chicago's WGN, actor Michael Shannon—who plays General Zod and went to high school in Chicago's north suburbs—recalls filming this scene in Union Station : ”I’ve been to Union Station a lot, mostly when I'm taking the train somewhere. [For Man of Steel ] we were in the same room where they shot that amazing sequence in The Untouchables . I would look over at the staircase and see the baby carriage coming down the stairs." I'm not sure which is more terrifying: seeing "the ghost" of The Untouchables ' baby carriage or Zod's fiery eyes take down a marble wall inside Chicago's historic Union Station. 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

Upcoming Talks See where Kelli will be speaking next—online and in person. Feb 24, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CST Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds / Orland Park Public Library, 14921 S Ravinia Ave, Orland Park, IL 60462, USA Register Feb 24, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CST Orland Park Public Library, 14921 S Ravinia Ave, Orland Park, IL 60462, USA Explore Black film history in Chicago through select movies and sites that connect them Mar 02, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CST On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive / Homer Township Public Library District, 14320 W 151st St, Homer Glen, IL 60491, USA Register Mar 02, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CST Homer Township Public Library District, 14320 W 151st St, Homer Glen, IL 60491, USA Uncover how "The Fugitive" blends TV history, cultural ritual, and Chicago’s architectural stage 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 Mar 11, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT Countdown to the Oscars: Illinois Winners, Scandalous Moments, and Oscar Bait / Helen Plum Library, 411 S Main St, Lombard, IL 60148, USA Register Mar 11, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT Helen Plum Library, 411 S Main St, Lombard, IL 60148, USA Celebrate Illinois' Oscar winners, scandalous moments, and "Oscar bait" as you countdown to this year's Academy Awards Apr 16, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT Private: Chicago and The Wizard of Oz / Skokie Country Club, 500 Washington Ave, Glencoe, IL 60022, USA Learn more Apr 16, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT Skokie Country Club, 500 Washington Ave, Glencoe, IL 60022, USA Discover Chicago's many connections to the classic children's story "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" Registration links to dates in the far future may not yet be available. Check back, or subscribe to be notified . Host This Crowd Favorite! Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and the Trappings of Home Visit (virtually) the 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' house in suburban Chicago, hear behind-the-scenes stories, and explore the movie's complex theme of home Learn More View All Talks

Looking for fun things to do in Chicago? Contact Chicago Movie Tours and let Kelli help you discover the Windy City through film! Contact Ready to discover Chicago through film? Or have another question? Reach out below. First* Last Email* Reason for contact* Share the details* Opt in to receive news about future tours and talks. Submit

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 Weather Man The Weather Man is a 2005 American comedy-drama film directed by Gore Verbinski and starring Nicolas Cage. The film follows the story of David Spritz (Cage), a local television weatherman in Chicago who is going through a mid-life crisis. In the film, people throw food—like McDonald's pies!—at David to ridicule him and illustrate their dissatisfaction with his job as a weatherman. Perhaps the food-throwing also symbolizes the public's own discontent with life in general? 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

Upcoming Talks See where Kelli will be speaking next—online and in person. Feb 24, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CST Black Movie History in Chicago: Cinematic Milestones and Sacred Grounds / Orland Park Public Library, 14921 S Ravinia Ave, Orland Park, IL 60462, USA Register Feb 24, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CST Orland Park Public Library, 14921 S Ravinia Ave, Orland Park, IL 60462, USA Explore Black film history in Chicago through select movies and sites that connect them Mar 02, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CST On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive / Homer Township Public Library District, 14320 W 151st St, Homer Glen, IL 60491, USA Register Mar 02, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CST Homer Township Public Library District, 14320 W 151st St, Homer Glen, IL 60491, USA Uncover how "The Fugitive" blends TV history, cultural ritual, and Chicago’s architectural stage 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 Mar 11, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT Countdown to the Oscars: Illinois Winners, Scandalous Moments, and Oscar Bait / Helen Plum Library, 411 S Main St, Lombard, IL 60148, USA Register Mar 11, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT Helen Plum Library, 411 S Main St, Lombard, IL 60148, USA Celebrate Illinois' Oscar winners, scandalous moments, and "Oscar bait" as you countdown to this year's Academy Awards Apr 16, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT Private: Chicago and The Wizard of Oz / Skokie Country Club, 500 Washington Ave, Glencoe, IL 60022, USA Learn more Apr 16, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT Skokie Country Club, 500 Washington Ave, Glencoe, IL 60022, USA Discover Chicago's many connections to the classic children's story "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" Registration links to dates in the far future may not yet be available. Check back, or subscribe to be notified . Host This Crowd Favorite! Art of Ferris Bueller Art of Ferris Bueller is not currently available for booking. Learn More View All Talks

Consider what three Chicago-based Christmas movies say about social class Chicago, Christmas Movies, and Class Consider what three Chicago-based Christmas movies say about social class All Talks About National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989), Home Alone (1990), and While You Were Sleeping (1995) sit amongst the most beloved American Christmas movies. Set in Chicago at Christmastime, these three mainstream Hollywood comedies have entertained audiences for decades. But have you ever thought about why? Which characters make you laugh or cry? And what does their social class—lower, middle, or upper—have to do with your reaction? Let’s find out in this hour-long talk on class stereotypes in Chicago-based Christmas movies! 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. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) In National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation , Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) plans the perfect family Christmas, only to have it unravel through a series of comical disasters—from a faulty Christmas light display to unexpected visits from eccentric relatives. In this long shot, Clark stands with his wife, Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo), after several failed attempts to light his suburban Chicago house for Christmas. Note the decorative reindeer in the bottom right and copious light strands crisscrossing the entire house. Ultimately, Ellen figures out the electrical problem, and the house will be, shall we say, well lit within the neighborhood. Take a closer look at the Griswold house for a moment. The two-story yellow house is actually a facade, formerly located inside the Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank, CA. Yes, although National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is set in Chicago, it was filmed primarily in Los Angeles. You may have also seen this house in American Beauty (1999), Hocus Pocus (1993), or the medical drama ER (1994-2009), also Chicago-based. Sadly, in 2023, the Warner Bros. Ranch—along with all the movie and TV “homes” within it—was demolished to make room for office buildings. 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