Search Results

Join our movie club to connect with like-minded movie fans and gain access to exclusive content dedicated to the vibrant culture, rich history, and cinematic magic of Chicago! Sorry, we no longer offer Chicago Movie Club. Subscribe here to be notified if it returns. No plans available Once there are plans available for purchase, you’ll see them here. Back to Home Page

Learn the basics of movie editing How Do Movies Link All Those Images? Learn the basics of movie editing All Talks About If you hold up a piece of film stock, you'll notice a series of images, one slightly different from the next. So how do those hundreds or thousands of separate images that comprise a movie ultimately make sense and then, hopefully, affect us emotionally as we watch? Learn the answer in this hour-long program on editing, where you'll be introduced to the basics of editing, including the shot, shot transitions, types of relationships between shots, and two common editing styles. 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 kick off this hour-long program by exploring the backstory of the Oscars and uncovering the sneaky reasons behind their creation. Chicago, with its rich cultural tapestry, has a longstanding and vibrant link to this glitzy Los Angeles-based affair. With that in mind, we'll dive into tales of winners, nominees, and game-changers who hail from Chicago and its suburbs. Finally, as we virtually tour Chicago's iconic Grant Park, we'll dish on a recent film nominated for Best Picture, bringing you closer to the magic of the Oscars and the allure of downtown Chicago. So dust off that black dress or tuxedo, and pour yourself a glass of champagne! The Oscars and Chicago is about to begin. Request Talk

Celebrate the 1980 Chicago-based movie in all its iterations Beyond the Blues Brothers Celebrate the 1980 Chicago-based movie in all its iterations All Talks About Celebrate the 1980 movie The Blues Brothers as you explore its backstories, mix of Hollywood genres, and impact on Chicago-based filmmaking. This hour-long interactive talk considers Backstories of the 1980 movie and the Blues Brothers' act, made famous on SNL . Conventional Hollywood genres and 10 ways The Blues Brothers film, for better or worse, insists on mixing them. The movie’s impact on Chicago-based filmmaking, with a special nod to Jane Byrne, who served as Chicago’s mayor during the film’s production. Request Talk

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 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 All Talks About Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) is frequently considered John Hughes’ best work. Its Rotten Tomatoes score is 92% . It ranks either #1 or #2 on lists from Variety , Screen Rant , and Movie Maker . Dan Ackroyd even likens the movie to Arthur Miller’s great American play, Death of a Salesman , calling John Candy’s shower curtain ring salesman “the Willy Loman of his age.” Why has Planes, Trains and Automobiles earned this elevated status in John Hughes’ body of work? It’s just a comedy with a simple premise, silly slapstick, and caricatures as leads, right? Yes, the movie is all of that. But it is also perhaps Hughes’ most mature screenplay. In this program featuring HD video footage, you’ll visit the suburban Chicago house where Planes, Trains and Automobiles ends. You’ll hear plenty of behind-the-scenes stories. And you’ll discover how the movie intertwines humor with the complex notion that “home” is both a comfort and a constraint. Request Talk

Learn about the Chicago connections of a few giants of American comedy Comedy in Chicago: The Marx Brothers and Bob Newhart Learn about the Chicago connections of a few giants of American comedy All Talks About Chicago's onscreen history with comedy runs deep. This movie talk and accompanying original HD video footage will consider two giants of American film comedy, both of whom have strong ties to the Windy City. In Part 1, we'll begin with a leisurely walk to the Marx Brothers' Chicago home. There, you will learn about a subgenre of film called anarchic comedy. You'll also "take a ride" down a slice of historic Route 66 and see where the Marx family once owned a chicken farm. (Yes, a chicken farm.) Then in Part 2, we'll shift comedic gears to Bob Newhart. Newhart was born in Chicago, and his sitcom The Bob Newhart Show (1972-78) was set here as well. In this section of the talk, you'll visit three locations near and dear to the comedian and actor: his childhood home, his Oak Park apartment, and Navy Pier. Join Chicago Movie Tours and discover the city's comedy roots through TV and film! Request Talk

Walk Chicago’s Union Station and Grant Park while hearing about their links to movies Loop Landmarks on Film Walk Chicago’s Union Station and Grant Park while hearing about their links to movies All Talks About Ride the train (via HD video) into Chicago’s Union Station where you disembark and then move through the building’s concourses and Great Hall, all while learning about their relationship to Hollywood. Then, walk through Chicago’s Grant Park while considering Aaron Sorkin's movie The Trial of the Chicago 7 and public art. Request Talk

Yule love it! Unwrap the holiday magic and dive into the world of the Griswold family Behind the Scenes: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Yule love it! Unwrap the holiday magic and dive into the world of the Griswold family All Talks About Set in the Chicago suburbs, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) follows the Griswold family as they attempt to create the perfect traditional Christmas celebration. However, as is usually the case with this fictional family, chaos ensues. Yes, everything that can go wrong does. Have you ever wondered what happened off-camera during the making of this iconic holiday film? Do you know where the movie was shot? Have you noticed the film's ties to Lethal Weapon , Betty Boop, and It's a Wonderful Life? In this Christmas event by Chicago Movie Tours, go behind the scenes of Christmas Vacation and dive into the world of the Griswold family. You'll challenge your knowledge of the movie and discover fun facts that will make you appreciate the film even more. You'll also hear about Chicago's (minor) role in creating the perfect backdrop for the Griswold's holiday misadventures. Request Talk

Through Chicago movies, these mini courses teach you terms used to describe film production and the art of filmmaking. It's Film 101, Chicago style! All classes are offered virtually and by a Ph.D. who legit taught this stuff for a living. No mini courses are running at the moment, but you can watch clips from previous courses below. Watch Now Learn how to watch movies, Chicago style! • pickles optional • Why So Low? Why does The Dark Knight film Heath Ledger's Joker from such low angles? Why the Silence? What's the purpose of the art museum montage in Ferris Bueller's Day Off? Why So Pasty? Why is Charlie Chaplin's makeup so white in the comedy His New Job? Through Chicago movies, master terminology used to describe film production and the art of filmmaking. Become an active movie-watcher with us and apply that new kno wledge to your favorite films! Classes run 30-60 min. All classes are offered virtually and by a Ph.D. who actually taught this stuff for a living. Watch a Mini Course Clip! Play Video Play Video Play Video Play Video Play Video Play Video Play Video Play Video

Uncover the histories of three movie theaters in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood Chicago Movie Houses: Hidden Histories and Lost Glamour Uncover the histories of three movie theaters in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood All Talks About Step behind the curtain and uncover the remarkable—and sometimes shadowy—stories of three movie theaters that once lit up one Chicago neighborhood. In this hour-long talk, you’ll discover: A theater whose unusual ownership and transformations reflect a century of change. A cinema with nine lives, each more surprising than the last. A movie house where glamour mingled with a darker side of show business. Along the way, you’ll explore HD video of these theaters’ exteriors—or what remains of them—and gain a new appreciation for the golden age of moviegoing and secrets left behind. Request Talk

Explore the lives of three stars via massive murals in Chicago  Chicago Murals and Movie Stars Explore the lives of three stars via massive murals in Chicago All Talks About With the help of original HD video, this talk takes guests to massive murals in three different Chicago neighborhoods. The first mural is devoted to Dolly Parton : singer, songwriter, actress, LGBTQ+ icon, and philanthropist. While there, we'll chat briefly about Parton's 1992 romantic comedy Straight Talk , filmed here in Chicago. The second mural celebrates Robin Williams , born in Chicago in 1951. Once we "arrive," we'll take a moment to analyze the artwork in terms of size, color, and subject before heading to the actor-comedian's childhood home. The third mural depicts film producer Quincy Jones , who survived a "rough and scary" childhood in Chicago. We'll also visit Jones' childhood home in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood. NOTE: Due to the violent nature of Jones' backstory, this segment of the program may not be appropriate for children. Request Talk

Reconsider Chicago amusement parks through the lens of home movies and a dunking booth game Roller Coasters, Racism, and Chicago Home Movies Reconsider Chicago amusement parks through the lens of home movies and a dunking booth game All Talks About The popularity of the Midway Plaisance at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair spurred on the development of the American amusement park. Indeed, shortly after the Fair closed, amusement parks began to appear across the country, many located in and around Chicago . This virtual tour offers your patrons/guests a brief history of select amusement parks in Chicago through the lens of home movies. It also details the racism behind a popular game adults and children played at these parks. Finally, with the help of our HD video camera, you'll walk to the current location of the sign that welcomed families to an amusement park in Melrose Park, IL, called Kiddieland. NOTE: This virtual event includes historical material involving the use of offensive racial epithets. Request Talk