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Discover why Max Factor’s panchromatic movie make-up was "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.

See Buckingham Fountain in a 1949 film noir called Undertow You have probably seen Chicago's Buckingham Fountain in the opening credits of the TV series Married with Children (1987-1997). And you have likely seen it briefly onscreen in the animal comedy National Lampoon's Vacation (1983). Buckingham Fountain also appears — in all of its massive flowing glory — in a lesser-known movie called Undertow . Undertow is a 1949 film noir. It tells the story of a former Chicago mobster/ex-con who is framed for murder and must clear his name before police catch him. Notably, Undertow marks the first film credit for Rock Hudson , who hails from Chicago's suburb Winnetka. In the video below, check out Buckingham Fountain as a romantic backdrop in Undertow . Other well-known Chicago locations shown in the 1949 film noir include: Midway Airport Palmer House Hotel Shedd Aquarium Adler Planetarium Merchandise Mart Have you visited any of these sites while visiting Chicago or while taking a walking tour of the Windy City?

Discover one way to clean 1920s movie houses on the cheap After the 1918 Flu Pandemic , movie theater owners in Chicago and across the United States were preoccupied with cleanliness and sanitation. Rightly so, since moviegoers wanted to feel safe when they walked through the doors and took a seat. Theaters that did not meet mandated standards of cleanliness were in danger of losing their patronage and ultimately their buildings. What else was at the forefront of the theater owner's mind at this time? Figuring out how to clean a movie house for a cheap price. Enter the Arco Wand, pictured above. Eating Up Every Particle of Dirt In 1921, the sleek Arco Wand is advertised in movie industry magazines as "a truck vacuum cleaner" that will "eat up every particle of dirt after each show." When compared to hand-cleaning a movie house, especially a large one like Chicago's Central Park Theater , the vacuum's advantages are plenty: Fast Portable, featuring rubber wheels Capable of reaching drapes, upholstered furniture in "comfort rooms," and carpets Versatile, operating on 110 or 220 volts, direct or alternating current Simple enough for "women and unskilled laborers" to manipulate (sigh) Cost-cutting since only 1 attendant was needed to run it No installation necessary Seems as though investing in an Arco Wand is a no-brainer, right? Vacuum Showrooms in Chicago In fact, plenty of movie theaters in Chicago adopted the Arco Wand. Scan this list from Moving Picture World (Oct. 1921), and see how many Chicago theaters you can count: Based on the advertisement below, theater owners could purchase the Arco Wand Truck Vacuum Cleaner in an American Radiator Co. showroom at 816-820 S. Michigan. So it makes sense that Chicago would be well-represented on the above list of "boosters." The American Radiator Co. (Arco for short) also promoted their vacuum products to churches, private homeowners, apartment leasers, and public building managers. In 1919, one version of the cleaning device was available for $195.00 , or about $3,300 today. Cleaning Movie Theaters Today In this current post-pandemic era, movie theater owners are again preoccupied with cleanliness and sanitation. To attract clientele, they have integrated into the theater experience misters and foggers , electrostatic guns , readily available Clorox wipes , and plexiglass screens around popcorn and snacks . Additionally, exhibition chains like Cinemark ensure their vacuum cleaners are equipped with HEPA filters, which reportedly trap "at least 99.97% of microscopic particles, including viruses such as COVID-19." Once more, we find history repeating itself. Only time will tell, of course, as we move further away from the COVID-19 pandemic, if the movie theater cleaning process will continue...

In this hour-long interview, go behind the scenes of Somewhere in Time with the president of the movie's fan club. Kelli and Jo talk all things "Somewhere in Time" Filmed in Chicago and on Mackinac Island, Somewhere in Time has gained a cult following over the years. The movie is beloved by many romance fans, including Jo Addie , who joins Kelli from Chicago Movie Tours to talk about her personal experiences with the film. Guests engaged in 3 questions at the start of the interview, each of which has been edited out of this on-demand replay. Scroll down if you'd like to see or answer the poll yourself. Finally, if you have a questions you'd like to ask Jo, drop it in the comments section, and we'll make sure she gets it! Answer the Polls

Watch the cast and crew of Somewhere In Time gush over Chicago's hospitality. Christopher Reeve overlooks Chicago in 1979 As we learned in Somewhere in Time : Behind the Scenes , most of the 1980 romantic fantasy Somewhere in Time was shot on Michigan's Mackinac Island . But three scenes were filmed in Chicago. At the beginning of the movie, we watch Richard Collier (Christopher Reeve): Working in his apartment Driving on Lake Shore Drive Researching the past in a library These shots, along with those on Mackinac Island, were filmed in the summer of 1979, a time when Chicago was just beginning to reopen its doors to Hollywood. Chicago and Movies, Daley and Byrne You'll recall from Somewhere in Time : Behind the Scenes that Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley (1955-1976) notoriously guarded the kind of movies that could be filmed in Chicago. Only movies Daley could take his family to see were allowed to be shot on location here. But after Daley's tenure, when Jane Byrne was elected mayor (1979-1983), this policy changed. For Byrne, any movie that wanted to film in and around Chicago should do so. After all, the city would be collecting the monetary rewards. [Cha-ching!] As a result, Byrne established an office to assist Hollywood production companies. And she worked with the Illinois state film office to lure filmmakers here. Read the first few paragraphs of this article to learn more about Chicago and movies, and Daley and Byrne: Courier Post (Oct. 22, 1981) Hollywood in 1979 Chicago Embedded below is a clip from Hollywood Comes to Chicago (1979), a rare documentary short that sheds light on this "new" period in Chicago's movie history. In the clip, the cast and crew of Somewhere in Time recall Chicago being an easy and welcoming place to set up shop—in part because of the efforts of the Illinois film office and its director Lucy Salinger. You can watch the full documentary short below, which runs for about 7 minutes. It also features John Landis since The Blues Brothers was shooting here at the same time as Somewhere in Time .

The late Sesame Street star got his professional start in Chicago Beloved star of Sesame Street , Bob McGrath has died at the age of 90. McGrath, you might recall, was an original cast member of the children's show Sesame Street , which first aired in 1969. His character, also named Bob, most memorably sang about the “People in Your Neighborhood.” (Feel free to relive your childhood via the clip below.) On the show, Bob also gave music lessons to the Muppets and participated in an opera with them. Both of these storylines make sense when you consider McGrath's musical background—that started in Chicago. A native of Ottawa, IL, McGrath got his professional broadcasting start in Chicago—at the ripe ol' age of nine. In 1941, McGrath sang on Chicago's Morris B. Sachs Amateur Hour , where he outperformed Steve Allen , 11 years his senior. Allen, of course, would cement his own fame as the co-creator and first host of The Tonight Show . Still, for his performance on Morris Sachs, the nine-year-old McGrath won a war bond and a "fancy watch," as the article below puts it. Later in childhood, McGrath would take home first prize on the televised show Stars of Tomorrow , WGN 's so-called "mecca of aspiring amateur talent."And as a teenager, the Irish tenor would win runner-up in the vocal competition of the Chicagoland Music Festival . More musical accolades would follow for singer Bob McGrath: The first freshman to become soloist with the University of Michigan's Glee Club A graduate degree from the Manhattan School of Music Time spent at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music But, of course, Sesame Street would catapult McGrath into musical stardom, of sorts. “It’s a very different kind of fame,” Mr. McGrath said about his time on Sesame Street : McGrath recalled a little boy in a store who came up to him and took his hand. At first he thought he had been mistaken for the child’s father. When he realized that the boy seemed to think they knew each other, Mr. McGrath asked, “Do you know my name?” “Bob.” “Do you know where I live?” “Sesame Street.” “Do you know any of my other friends on Sesame Street?” "Yep,” the boy answered and promptly gave an example: “Oh, the number 7.” RIP, Bob McGrath. Thank you for sharing your musical talent, honed in Chicago, and inviting us to sing about all of the people in our neighborhoods.

Revisit music from 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' to learn about a Hollywood term called "sneaking in and out" Music plays a crucial role in movies. It helps set a mood, enhance storytelling, support visuals, create memorable moments, shape rhythm and pace, and reflect cultural context. With this in mind, let's explore scenes from Ferris Bueller's Day Off in which music plays a key role. As you watch, you'll learn about a technique called "sneaking in and out" — and how sound designers use it to manipulate your attention and emotions. This mini course is part of Chicago Movie Tours' series Film 101, Chicago Style . Watch Excerpt This is an excerpt from our mini course Sneaky Music in Ferris Bueller's Day Off . In the clip, Kelli recounts how our mini courses work. Then, she explains how music and dialogue work in tandem in a pivotal scene from Ferris Bueller's Day Off . Watch Full Virtual Tour Join our movie club to reveal below the full virtual tour Sneaky Music in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (26 min.) Browse upcoming virtual events . Learn more about Chicago Movie Tours' series Film 101, Chicago Style .

Master magic hour lighting while you analyze its role in the movie Somewhere in Time Magic hour, also known as golden hour, is a time of day highly sought after by cinematographers when they want to create a beautiful, dreamy look on film or video. In this online mini course with Chicago Movie Tours, you'll learn: how to define magic hour how to recognize magic hour cinematography onscreen why filmmakers seek out this form of natural lighting how it functions in Somewhere in Time (1980), a romantic drama filmed partially in Chicago This mini course is part of Chicago Movie Tours' series Film 101, Chicago Style . Watch Full Virtual Tour (41 min.) Join our movie club to reveal below the full mini course Magic Hour in Somewhere in Time (41 min.) Browse upcoming virtual events . Learn more about Chicago Movie Tours' series Film 101, Chicago Style .

Celebrate Oscar winners from Chicago and other areas of Illinois In this excerpt from Oscar Winners in Chicago (25 min.)—our fourth program counting down to the 2024 Academy Awards—learn about a game-changing figure in Hollywood for practical and special effects. His innovation in creating environmentally friendly, biodegradable fake snow led to an Academy Award for Scientific and Technical Advancement. 👇 Check out all the 2024 Oscar-related programs before you scroll down to watch the excerpt. Countdown to the Oscars 2024 How a Beach House Built the Oscars : Unravel the Oscars' origins through tales of unions and a movie mogul's beach house The Oscar Statuette and Chicago : Hear about Chicago's connection to the world's most recognized trophy! Scandal and Controversy in Oscar History : Rehash some of the Oscars' most controversial and scandalous moments! Oscar Winners from Chicago : Celebrate Oscar winners from Chicago and other areas of Illinois What Is Oscar Bait? (And Why Is It Maestro?) : As we countdown to the Oscars, let's answer the question "what is Oscar bait?" Watch Excerpt: Oscar Winners from Chicago Join our movie club to watch the full virtual event, or browse upcoming virtual events .

Let's be honest: the Academy Awards have been contentious since their inception During the 94th-annual Academy Awards ceremony , actor Will Smith walked onto the stage and slapped Oscar presenter Chris Rock . The action came after Rock made a joke referencing Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith . Shortly thereafter, Smith resigned from the Academy. Then, the actor was banned from attending all Academy functions for 10 years. There's no doubt this 2022 Oscars event was controversial. And startling. And damning. And lots of other words we could put here. But honestly, the Oscars have been controversial since they began in 1929. The first Academy Award doled out was for Best Actor. That statue went to Emil Jannings (below) who won for his work in two films: The Way of All Flesh and The Last Command . But the real winner in 1929 — or the individual with the most votes — was actually an 11-year-old German Shepherd named Rin Tin Tin. Rin Tin Tin (pictured below) was one of the most popular stars in Hollywood at the time, having already appeared in 20 films. Watch our video below to learn, first, why the Academy gave Jannings an award over Rin Tin Tin and second, why this decision, looked at through the long lens of history, backfires spectacularly. Again, ever since the first ceremony in 1929, in some way or another, the Oscars have sparked controversy.

Learn how Ferris' Bueller's iconic vest/tee pairing started Did you know the patterned vest Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) wears into Chicago on his day off was initially a cardigan? According to Marilyn Vance , costume designer for Ferris Bueller’s Day Off , “I went over to [the department store] Marshall Field’s and looked at the sweaters; I cut the sleeves off one and that was his sweater vest.” Ferris' vest/tee pairing has become such an iconic look, that when shopping for a Ferris Bueller Halloween costume , that's what you're gonna get. More about Marshall Field's Journey with us to 1923, when this Chicago-based department store (acquired by Macy’s in 2005) set up a makeshift movie theatre in its book department.

On Chicago's South Side, Lorado Taft's masterpiece Fountain of Time bears a fun little secret. On this day in 1920, Lorado Taft's Fountain of Time began running on Chicago's Midway Plaisance . Well, the plaster version of it anyway. The finished piece was not installed until 1922. For the last several weeks, I have been researching Fountain of Time because it serves as the finale of a new walking tour Chicago and Movies on the Midway . The sculpture is, after all, shown in at least three movies: Flatliners (1990), The Package (1989), and Chicago the Beautiful (1948). While reading, I learned that Taft, the Chicago-based sculptor, once likened this 126-foot-long structure to that of a house: concrete foundation first floor (sculptural elements) roof (walkway over the top) To save on supplies and reduce weight on the foundation, the inside of Fountain of Time is hollow. Today, restoration experts can access its innards via a knee-high opening in the foundation. Still, the bit about Fountain of Time 's apparent roof intrigued me. So one summer morning, I recruited a colleague with a drone , and we set out to see if a roof or walkway was visible. Voila! There is a roof! If you want to learn more about Fountain of Time and its connections to film, do join me on our outdoor walking tour Chicago and Movies on the Midway ! Sources Lorado Taft: Sculptor and Citizen , Ada Bartlett Taft, 1946. Lorado Taft: The Chicago Years , Allen Stuart Weller, Henry Adams, 2014. "Time and Tide: Restoring Lorado Taft's Fountain of Time : An Overview," Barbara Hall and Robert Aaron Jones. Vol. 31, No. 2, Conservation at the Art Institute of Chicago (2005), pp. 80-89.