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Discover why, in cinema's early days, Max Factor’s panchromatic movie make-up was considered "horrifying." ​ Early movies used two types of film: orthochromatic and panchromatic . Orthochromatic film sees limited colors; it is blue- (or green-) sensitive and is unable to capture reds. For example, on the screen, blue skies look white, blonde hair appears washed-out, and red lips look black. To combat these issues, industry pioneers used lens filters, location choices, lighting—and makeup. Panchromatic film sees all colors and reproduces them closer to what we experience daily, albeit in shades of black, white, and gray. For differences between the two film types, look at Kodak's advertisements above ( Movie Makers , 1930). When panchromatic film became trendy in the late 1920s, makeup artist Max Factor —whose Chicago office sat at 444 W. Grand Avenue—was there to assist with the transition. ​According to Max Factor: The Man Who Changed the Faces of the World , Factor toiled for months to create a new type of makeup "that reflected the correct degree of light required by [panchromatic] film." Factor succeeded and was even awarded a certificate by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize his contribution to “Incandescent Illumination Research.” You can see in the 1929-1930 ads below from International Photographer that Max Factor's movie makeup is front and center. In some instances, his name and the words panchromatic make-up are as about as large as—or larger than!—the titles of the films being advertised. Also, International Photographer informs its readers, presumably cinematographers, that these films use Max Factor’s makeup exclusively. Thus, for these professionals to work on a film NOT using this makeup would arguably be a step down in status. By the 1930s, Max Factor’s panchromatic make-up—although reportedly " horrifying to look at " in daylight since it was designed for black-and-white movies and not everyday wear—became an industry standard.

Decades before Hollywood’s The Wizard of Oz , Chicago’s Grand Opera House staged its own hit version—funded, in part, by a patent medicine called Wizard Oil. Promotional still for The Wizard of Oz (1939), IMDb. It's January 1872, barely 3 months after the Great Chicago Fire . Despite the frigid weather, rebuilding is in full force . Hotels, churches, offices, banks, museums, and theatres begin to rise skyward.   Over at 546 N. Clark St. (now site of the Daley Center ), brothers John  and Lysander Hamlin are doing their part to facilitate the city's rebuilding process. Using family wealth, the Hamlin brothers, ages 65 and 63, have just forked over $130,750  (about $3.4 million today) to purchase property on which they would build Chicago's  Grand Opera House —a theatre that would soon become a cultural landmark. The following story of Chicago’s Grand Opera House reveals how the city’s resilience after the Great Fire and the Hamlin family's entrepreneurial vision shaped a stage history that would give the world its first musical version of The Wizard of Oz —decades before Hollywood and MGM made it famous. The family name, Hamlin, is centered near the roofline of the Grand Opera House, Chicago, IL. c. 1880 . Nine Lives of Chicago's Grand Opera House The Grand Opera House, which sat about 1,500 patrons , boasts a colorful history. The building served  as a billiard hall, beer garden, and vaudeville house before settling into its status as a theatre in 1880. The transformation from billiard hall to beer garden must have been fascinating for regular patrons. They would've watched workers replace the 30+ billiards tables with an elegantly carpeted ladies' gallery and an additional room that mimicked "scenery of mountain and field, rivulets, bridges, cascades, an old mill or two, a 24-foot waterfall, miniature lake, and other rural work on an expensive scale" ( Chicago Tribune , July 18, 1875). A 24-foot waterfall and a miniature lake—indoors! Women enjoying drinks in an indoor beer garden, Wikimedia Commons . George M Cohan's Grand Opera House, Ovrtur . Equally interesting, in 1912, composer-playwright George M. Cohan —he of " Yankee Doodle Dandy " fame—would co-lease the theatre from the Hamlin brothers and rename it after himself. In this photo, it's appropriate, I suppose, that a " grand ol' flag " would hang beneath the theatre's new name: George M. Cohan’s Grand Opera House. Perhaps more confusing, later, the same building was known briefly as the Four Cohans, which you can see via the marquee in this photo . Here's a final piece of Chicago's Grand Opera House history: On June 16, 1902, a stage musical based on a brand new and very popular children's book premiered there. We're Off to See the Wizard (Oil)   In 1902, while John Hamlin's sons Harry and Fred were managing the Grand Opera House, they were presented with a musical comedy for the stage. The production was based on L. Frank Baum 's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz , published in Chicago only two years prior. According to an unnamed contemporary, the Hamlin family “knew little about musical comedy, but they thought anything with the name ‘Wizard’ in it should do well” ( Chicago Tribune , Apr 1, 1958). And they thought this for good reason. Poster advertising Hamlin's Wizard Oil. The Hamlins, we learned above, used their family wealth to purchase the Grand Opera House. All that money, if you can believe it, came from a patent medicine cure-all called Hamlin's Wizard Oil . Made of 50–70% alcohol and advertised heavily across the Midwest, Hamlin's Wizard Oil claimed to cure a variety of common ailments, including: rheumatism neuralgia headache toothache diphtheria sore throat sprains bruises menstrual cramps diarrhea Fun fact : you can still find Hamlin's Wizard Oil bottles, song books, advertising posters, and trading cards for sale on eBay . It’s no wonder the Hamlins believed a musical with “Wizard” in the title would be a hit—the name had already made them wealthy. The family's instincts were right: the play was a success. A Musical Oz in Chicago: Sufficiently Spicy The Wizard of Oz  musical extravaganza  was scheduled to open at Chicago's Grand Opera House on June 12, 1902. But the show was not ready. It was postponed two days. Then, it was postponed another two days. Surprisingly, rather than deterring audiences, the back-to-back delays stirred interest. When The Wizard of Oz  musical finally opened on June 16, 1902, the house was packed. Reports describe a "huge well-dressed crowd" with people "standing in the aisle at rear and behind the last row of seats." Interior, Grand Opera House, " The Complete Architecture of Adler & Sullivan ." Even L. Frank Baum attended the show and, afterward, addressed the audience : "Kind friends, thank you for your enthusiasm. It is heart-warming. You have been generous enough to call for the author, but I do not need to remind you that he is only one of many whose efforts you are enjoying tonight. [...] All of us are happy you have enjoyed the show, and we hope you and your friends will be back for a second helping ." Indeed, people did return for "a second helping," as Baum put it. The show consistently sold out and even broke attendance records for the Hamlin-run theatre. By the time production closed in Chicago on September 20, 1902, 185,000 people had seen the show. Its box office receipts totaled $160,000 (about $5 million today). Helping matters, I imagine, ticket prices were affordable: they ranged from $0.25 to $1.50, or only $8 to $50 today. In addition to the sold-out Chicago crowds and impressive box office returns, the production's stage effects, set design, costumes, and marketing were touted in reviews and in conversation around the city. First, based on contemporary descriptions, the musical's Poppy scene must've been dazzling. A large gauze curtain, well-positioned lights, and magic lantern slides  produced the illusion of rain, snow, and sunbeams as the main characters "fell asleep" onstage. A similar effect was used for the cyclone at the start of Act 1. Second, audiences and critics consistently applauded the performances and costumes of Fred Stone and David Montgomery , who played Scarecrow and Tin Woodman respectively. Scarecrow wore a blue shirt and blue pants, both stuffed with real straw. Each night, his face was painted with pink and black greasepaint to remove Stone's actual eyebrows and create Scarecrow's face stitches. David Montgomery as the Tin Man. Poster for Fred R. Hamlin's musical extravaganza, The Wizard of Oz . Wikimedia Commons. Montgomery's Tin Woodman wore an actual tin hat and a "biblike collar" around his head. Every night, his face was painted with white greasepaint, with streaks of black around his eyes, nose, and mouth, and a tinge of red across his lips. Onstage, Stone's "fluid movements and rubbery legs" delighted audiences while Montgomery's "broad grin and creaky movements" rendered his character "funny and endearing." Part of their appeal no doubt, Stone and Montgomery had significant onstage chemistry: they had worked together as a vaudeville team before co-starring in Chicago's The Wizard of Oz  musical. Finally, in addition to the production's stage effects, set design, and costumes, the play's accompanying literature and vibrant posters clearly enticed Chicago theatre audiences and critics. Newspapers published teasers and short articles about the show. An 8-page promotional booklet including cast member photos and bios was also available. Moreover, this musical version of The Wizard of Oz was advertised as appealing to both children and parents—"sufficiently spicy and alluring to engross a sophisticated Chicago audience." Oz after Chicago... After its stint in Chicago, The Wizard of Oz  musical extravaganza toured through the upper Midwest. Eventually, it moved to Broadway , where it ran for 300 performances at the Majestic Theatre . A touring company would soon follow. In the transition from Chicago to New York, most of the original cast remained, including David Montgomery and Fred Stone, who had, of course, been key to the show's success as the Tin Woodman and Scarecrow. To be fair, I've only skimmed the surface of this Chicago production of The Wizard of Oz . For those seeking more information about the musical production, you might read Part 1 of Mark Evan Swartz's book Oz before the Rainbow: L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz on Stage and Screen to 1939 . Fortunately, a great deal of primary and secondary sources about the play are available, many of which are referenced within.

Silent film titles suggest Hollywood took note of the bungalow explosion in America An Auto-Bungalow Fracas (1913)⁣⁣ The bungalow — a low house, with a wide front porch, having either no upper floor or upper rooms set in the roof — exploded in America around the turn of the 20th century. And Hollywood took note. Look at the titles of these silent films—two of which were made by Chicago’s American Picture Company:⁣⁣ The Bungalow Craze (1911)⁣⁣ Bounding Bertie’s Bungalow (1913)⁣⁣ An Auto-Bungalow Fracas (1913)⁣⁣ Ambrose’s Bungled Bungalow (1920)⁣⁣ Bungalow Troubles (1920)⁣⁣ Bungalow Love (1920)⁣⁣ Bungalow Boobs (1924)⁣⁣ For Sale, a Bungalow (1927)⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Like 75-80% of films made during the silent era, most of these works have been lost to history. But as you can learn below, the bungalow is still very much alive in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs! More on Chicago bungalows

Incorporate a private or customized (bespoke) Chicago movie tour into your city visit, convention program, school curriculum, or senior outing. Pricing starts at $399. Private Tours Incorporate a private tour into your city visit, conference program, or senior outing. What Is a Private Tour? A private walking tour is a guided tour designed for individuals or small groups who prefer a more intimate and tailored experience. Unlike group tours that include multiple parties and follow a set itinerary, private tours offer flexibility in terms of timing, pace, and content. Private tours are ideal for families, convention and reunion attendees, school groups, film clubs, and senior outings. All tours may be booked privately, and we also provide customized options. Private tour pricing starts at $399. Private Tour FAQs Why Book a Private Tour? Personalization Immerse yourself in the glitz and glamour of Chicago's movie history with a private tour! Explore the iconic film locations that fascinate you the most, at your own pace. Flexibility Can't find the perfect time for a public tour? No worries! With a private tour, you choose the date and time that suits your schedule best. Flexibility has never been so cinematic! Exclusive Attention Get the star treatment! Our private tour ensures you receive the guide's full attention, answering all your questions and sharing insider stories about Chicago's rich film history. Book Your Private Tour First Name* Last Name Email* Phone Tour of Interest* Preferred Tour Date* Secondary Preferred Date How many in your group?* Note: Most tours are designed for groups of up to 8 people. Which best describes your group?* Adults Family (All ages) School Group (K–12 students) College/University Group Corporate/Team Outing Senior Group Other Anything else we should know? (e.g., accessibility needs) Opt in to receive news about future tours and talks. Submit

On this 90-minute guided walking tour inside the Art Institute of Chicago, get up close with art featured in the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" The Art of Ferris Bueller On this 90-minute guided walking tour inside the Art Institute of Chicago, get up close with art featured in the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" Read Reviews Book Public Tour Book Private Tour About 1.5 hrs 1 mi. 8 guests $39.99 On this 90-minute guided walking tour inside the Art Institute of Chicago, get up close with art featured in the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" Calling art enthusiasts and Ferris Bueller fans! Get ready to step into the iconic world of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on our popular 90-minute walking tour, aptly named The Art of Ferris Bueller . Led by a passionate PhD guide , this immersive experience will take you through multiple galleries of the Art Institute of Chicago, where a memorable portion of the 1980s teen comedy unfolds. As you enter the Modern Wing, the adventure begins. Marvel at the same masterpieces that Ferris, Sloane, and Cameron admired during their legendary day off. Your guide, armed with a wealth of knowledge and a flair for storytelling, will regale you with little-known anecdotes and behind-the-scenes facts that will deepen your appreciation for both the art and the movie. As with all of our Chicago Movie Tours' guided tours, your experience here will be enhanced with clips, photos, soundbites, and screenshots. On The Art of Ferris Bueller , you'll traverse three floors of the museum, covering a distance of about 1 mile. Along the way, you'll discover 16 carefully selected pieces of art, each with its own unique connection to the characters, director, and storyline of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off . Ever wondered why Cameron fixated on that Seurat painting? Prepare to have your curiosity satisfied! Ideal for Gen-X—and all ages, of course!—this immersive experience promises to reignite your love for Ferris Bueller's Day Off while deepening your appreciation for the treasures housed within the Art Institute of Chicago. So, grab your tickets for The Art of Ferris Bueller , gather your friends, and get ready for a journey through art, cinema, and nostalgia that you won't soon forget! NOTE: Admission to the Art Institute of Chicago is not included in the public walking tour. Learn more in FAQs . Movies/TV Highlighted Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) If you're interested in exploring more than one film with us, check out our full list of guided walking tours. Public Tour Dates Saturday Dec 20, 2025 5:30 PM Buy Tickets Sunday Dec 28, 2025 5:30 PM Buy Tickets Sunday Dec 28, 2025 8:00 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. NOTE: The Art Institute of Chicago closes Tuesdays, so we cannot run this tour on that day. Book Private $399 Tour Specifics Start/End Points The tour starts in the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago, Griffin Court, by the staircase/chairs. Please arrive about 10 min. before the tour begins. NOTE: This is NOT the Michigan Ave. entrance with the lions. Museum Admission Admission to the Art Institute of Chicago is NOT included in our public walking tour (learn more in FAQs ). For ticket prices, please refer to the museum's ticketing chart . 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 By Car : The Millennium Garages are located underground, below the parks adjacent to the museum. Public Transit : The Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple 'L' train lines all stop above ground at Adams/Wabash, one block west of the museum. The Red and Blue lines stop underground at Monroe, just a few blocks away. Accessibility Elevators are located throughout the museum for access to all levels. What to Bring Checkrooms are free for all visitors. Bags and backpacks larger than 13 x 17 x 4 inches are not allowed in the galleries and must be checked. If you plan to check bags, please arrive early as there may be a line. Water bottles are allowed, but they must be stowed in a bag when guests are in spaces that house art. Restrooms Restrooms are located throughout the museum on each level. Children Guests ages 10 and up can attend. Photography/Video Non-flash photography is permitted in all permanent galleries. Tripods, selfie sticks, and video are not permitted. 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 Immersive experience exploring Ferris Bueller's Day Off inside the Art Institute of Chicago Solid overview of the world-famous museum (three floors, covering about 1 mile) Tour guide commentary from a passionate PhD in film Small groups to enhance engagement and foster a more personalized experience Visual and audio media to enhance your museum experience Little-known anecdotes, stories, and theories about the 1986 teen comedy Plenty of Instagram opportunities Mini (Ferris-themed) goodie bag! Reviews Katherine Art of Ferris Bueller average rating is 5 out of 5 Great tour - very accessible even if you are just a casual fan of the film or of art. It was a fun new way to experience the Art Institute. November 22, 2025 Kristina Art of Ferris Bueller average rating is 5 out of 5 “Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and take this tour with Kelli you could miss it!” We loved this tour and learned so much from Kelli. As big fans of Ferris Bueller it was even more amazing and as locals to Chicago it was a great way to enjoy the Art Institute from a different perspective. November 8, 2025 Rachel Art of Ferris Bueller average rating is 5 out of 5 We loved this tour—we could take it NINE TIMES! We had a fantastic time with Kelli seeing all the familiar art sites from the movie we know and love. Her breadth of knowledge about art and film was evident and she was so well prepared with video clips, quotes from various people involved with the movie, and efficient move through the building ending with the Chagall windows. Highly recommend for fans of the movie or newbies—a great quick move around the museum! November 8, 2025 Load More Reviews

Browse Chicago Movie Tours' event calendar for upcoming guided walking tours, movie history talks, and more. Event Calendar Browse the calendar for upcoming walking tours, talks, special events, and more. December 2025 Today Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 6:30 PM Festivus 101: A Virtual Celebration for the Rest of Us +1 more 19 20 11:30 AM The Art of Ferris Bueller +1 more 21 2:00 PM Private: The Art of Ferris Bueller +1 more 22 6:00 PM While You Were Sleeping in Chicago: A Holiday Stroll +1 more 23 24 25 26 11:00 AM Private: The Art of Ferris Bueller +1 more 27 28 11:30 AM The Art of Ferris Bueller +1 more +2 more 29 11:00 AM Private: The Art of Ferris Bueller +1 more 30 12:00 PM While You Were Sleeping in Chicago: A Holiday Stroll +1 more 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10