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Meet Kelli Marshall, PhD, a public speaker, tour guide, and educator who helps visitors and residents discover Chicago through the movies. Meet Kelli KELLI MARSHALL is a public speaker, educator, tour guide, and small business owner who helps visitors and residents discover Chicago through film. Before starting Chicago Movie Tours , Kelli spent more than a decade as a professor of film and media studies. With hundreds of lectures, presentations, and invited talks under her belt, Kelli has honed her ability to present complex material in an engaging, straightforward manner. This skill—combined with memorable stories, humor, relaxed participation opportunities, and plenty of visual and aural aids—has earned Kelli several teaching awards and positive reviews . Kelli’s writings on film and television have been featured in books, peer-reviewed journals, and the popular press. Her expertise has also been highlighted on podcasts, local TV, and international radio programs, covering such topics as The Wizard of Oz , Singin’ in the Rain , Ferris Bueller’s Day Off , and Seinfeld . For fun, Kelli runs and walks local races, renovates her Chicago bungalow (c. 1924), wrangles her two rescue pups, and curates a Gene Kelly fansite. Kelli holds a Ph.D. in Humanities, an M.A. in English, and a B.A. in English with minors in history and French.

Upcoming Talks See where Kelli will be speaking next—online and in person. 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 Mar 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT Private: On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive / Clarendale Six Corners, 4715 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, USA Learn more Mar 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT Clarendale Six Corners, 4715 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, USA Uncover how "The Fugitive" blends TV history, cultural ritual, and Chicago’s architectural stage Mar 31, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen / Plainfield Area Public Library, 15025 S Illinois St, Plainfield, IL 60544, USA Register Mar 31, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT Plainfield Area Public Library, 15025 S Illinois St, Plainfield, IL 60544, USA Explore hidden stories of women who shaped early Chicago cinema, with HD footage of key locations where they lived and worked 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! School’s Out for Summer! Child Actors and Chicago’s Studio Teachers Trace how studio teachers have taught and protected child actors from 1930s Hollywood to the Chicago sets of "A Raisin in the Sun" and "Home Alone" Learn More View All Talks

Upcoming Talks See where Kelli will be speaking next—online and in person. 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 Mar 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT Private: On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive / Clarendale Six Corners, 4715 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, USA Learn more Mar 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT Clarendale Six Corners, 4715 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, USA Uncover how "The Fugitive" blends TV history, cultural ritual, and Chicago’s architectural stage Mar 31, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen / Plainfield Area Public Library, 15025 S Illinois St, Plainfield, IL 60544, USA Register Mar 31, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT Plainfield Area Public Library, 15025 S Illinois St, Plainfield, IL 60544, USA Explore hidden stories of women who shaped early Chicago cinema, with HD footage of key locations where they lived and worked 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! From Ferris to the Frontlines: Chicago's Art Institute and Grant Park in the Movies From Ferris Bueller to political drama, see the Art Institute of Chicago and Grant Park through the lens of film Learn More View All Talks

Upcoming Talks See where Kelli will be speaking next—online and in person. 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 Mar 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT Private: On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive / Clarendale Six Corners, 4715 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, USA Learn more Mar 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT Clarendale Six Corners, 4715 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, USA Uncover how "The Fugitive" blends TV history, cultural ritual, and Chicago’s architectural stage Mar 31, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen / Plainfield Area Public Library, 15025 S Illinois St, Plainfield, IL 60544, USA Register Mar 31, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT Plainfield Area Public Library, 15025 S Illinois St, Plainfield, IL 60544, USA Explore hidden stories of women who shaped early Chicago cinema, with HD footage of key locations where they lived and worked 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! Why Is Movie Sound So Powerful? Analyze the relationship between sound and image Learn More View All Talks

Upcoming Talks See where Kelli will be speaking next—online and in person. 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 Mar 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT Private: On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive / Clarendale Six Corners, 4715 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, USA Learn more Mar 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT Clarendale Six Corners, 4715 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, USA Uncover how "The Fugitive" blends TV history, cultural ritual, and Chicago’s architectural stage Mar 31, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen / Plainfield Area Public Library, 15025 S Illinois St, Plainfield, IL 60544, USA Register Mar 31, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT Plainfield Area Public Library, 15025 S Illinois St, Plainfield, IL 60544, USA Explore hidden stories of women who shaped early Chicago cinema, with HD footage of key locations where they lived and worked 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! Gender in Hollywood: Men Explore four typical depictions of men in Hollywood film Learn More View All Talks

Upcoming Talks See where Kelli will be speaking next—online and in person. 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 Mar 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT Private: On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive / Clarendale Six Corners, 4715 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, USA Learn more Mar 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT Clarendale Six Corners, 4715 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, USA Uncover how "The Fugitive" blends TV history, cultural ritual, and Chicago’s architectural stage Mar 31, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen / Plainfield Area Public Library, 15025 S Illinois St, Plainfield, IL 60544, USA Register Mar 31, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT Plainfield Area Public Library, 15025 S Illinois St, Plainfield, IL 60544, USA Explore hidden stories of women who shaped early Chicago cinema, with HD footage of key locations where they lived and worked 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! Chicago, Movies, and the 1918 Pandemic Learn about three Chicago movie theaters that survived the 1918 flu pandemic Learn More View All Talks

Upcoming Talks See where Kelli will be speaking next—online and in person. 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 Mar 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT Private: On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive / Clarendale Six Corners, 4715 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, USA Learn more Mar 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT Clarendale Six Corners, 4715 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, USA Uncover how "The Fugitive" blends TV history, cultural ritual, and Chicago’s architectural stage Mar 31, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen / Plainfield Area Public Library, 15025 S Illinois St, Plainfield, IL 60544, USA Register Mar 31, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT Plainfield Area Public Library, 15025 S Illinois St, Plainfield, IL 60544, USA Explore hidden stories of women who shaped early Chicago cinema, with HD footage of key locations where they lived and worked 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! Movie Makeup and Toupees in 1920s Chicago Explore makeup from cinema's earliest days to the present, including 1920s Chicago’s famed toupee maker and his Hollywood-inspired creations Learn More View All Talks

Upcoming Talks See where Kelli will be speaking next—online and in person. 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 Mar 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT Private: On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive / Clarendale Six Corners, 4715 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, USA Learn more Mar 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT Clarendale Six Corners, 4715 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, USA Uncover how "The Fugitive" blends TV history, cultural ritual, and Chicago’s architectural stage Mar 31, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen / Plainfield Area Public Library, 15025 S Illinois St, Plainfield, IL 60544, USA Register Mar 31, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT Plainfield Area Public Library, 15025 S Illinois St, Plainfield, IL 60544, USA Explore hidden stories of women who shaped early Chicago cinema, with HD footage of key locations where they lived and worked 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! Inside Gene Kelly's House Visit one of Hollywood's best song-and-dance man with a tour to his homes Learn More View All Talks

Upcoming Talks See where Kelli will be speaking next—online and in person. 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 Mar 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT Private: On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive / Clarendale Six Corners, 4715 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, USA Learn more Mar 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT Clarendale Six Corners, 4715 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, USA Uncover how "The Fugitive" blends TV history, cultural ritual, and Chicago’s architectural stage Mar 31, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen / Plainfield Area Public Library, 15025 S Illinois St, Plainfield, IL 60544, USA Register Mar 31, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT Plainfield Area Public Library, 15025 S Illinois St, Plainfield, IL 60544, USA Explore hidden stories of women who shaped early Chicago cinema, with HD footage of key locations where they lived and worked 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! Batman in Chicago: Filming Locations and the Art of Anarchy Explore Chicago as Gotham, uncover location filming secrets, and learn how camera angles in "The Dark Knight" reveal chaos and power Learn More View All Talks

Upcoming Talks See where Kelli will be speaking next—online and in person. 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 Mar 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT Private: On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive / Clarendale Six Corners, 4715 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, USA Learn more Mar 16, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT Clarendale Six Corners, 4715 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641, USA Uncover how "The Fugitive" blends TV history, cultural ritual, and Chicago’s architectural stage Mar 31, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen / Plainfield Area Public Library, 15025 S Illinois St, Plainfield, IL 60544, USA Register Mar 31, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDT Plainfield Area Public Library, 15025 S Illinois St, Plainfield, IL 60544, USA Explore hidden stories of women who shaped early Chicago cinema, with HD footage of key locations where they lived and worked 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! Film Noir: Hollywood's Darkest Timeline Dive into film noir—dark plots, dim lights, and dangerous cities, including Chicago Learn More View All Talks

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. Mar 26, 2026 6:00 PM Reel Resilience: Chicago Movie Theaters and the 1918 Flu Pandemic Learn about three Chicago movie theaters that survived the 1918 flu pandemic. DETAILS Apr 14, 2026 6:00 PM On the Run in Chicago: Behind the Scenes of The Fugitive Uncover how "The Fugitive" blends TV history, cultural ritual, and Chicago’s architectural stage DETAILS Apr 16, 2026 12:00 AM From Ferris to the Frontlines: Chicago's Art Institute and Grant Park in the Movies From Ferris Bueller to political drama, see the Art Institute of Chicago and Grant Park 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.

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