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Discover how "The Breakfast Club" defined a generation through its architecture, music, and ties to Chicago The Breakfast Club: Chicago, Music, and a Generation Defined Discover how "The Breakfast Club" defined a generation through its architecture, music, and ties to Chicago All Talks About Take a fresh look at one of the most iconic teen films of the 1980s: The Breakfast Club (1985). In the first part of this talk, you'll take a virtual stroll around the former suburban Chicago high school where the movie was filmed. Though we can’t step inside, photos and stories of the building’s exterior reveal how its architecture reflects the pressures and confinement experienced by five very different teenagers stuck in Saturday detention. The second half of this hour-long talk shifts to music, focusing on Simple Minds’ anthem "Don’t You (Forget About Me)." Here, we’ll uncover behind-the-scenes stories, explore the song’s ties to MTV, and discuss how it became a lasting metaphor for victory and self-discovery. Blending film history, music, and Chicago landmarks, this program invites film lovers, community groups, and anyone nostalgic for the 1980s to discover how The Breakfast Club continues to define a generation of moviegoers. Request Talk

Learn about three Chicago movie theaters that survived the 1918 flu pandemic Chicago, Movies, and the 1918 Pandemic Learn about three Chicago movie theaters that survived the 1918 flu pandemic All Talks About In 1918, Chicago movie theaters faced an unprecedented challenge as the flu pandemic disrupted daily life and shuttered public spaces across the city. Yet some movie houses found ways to endure—and their buildings still stand today! In this talk, Kelli takes you, via HD footage, to three silent-era Chicago movie theaters that survived the 1918 flu pandemic. Along the way, she offers a brief history of the so-called Spanish Flu, with subtle connections to more recent global experiences such as COVID. 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

Learn how the TV series "Seinfeld" uses food to define characters, shape dialogue, and reveal (often wacky) American social norms No Soup for You! The Role of Food in "Seinfeld" Learn how the TV series "Seinfeld" uses food to define characters, shape dialogue, and reveal (often wacky) American social norms All Talks About Book for Sept. 2026 and after— download 2026 calendar . What does a sitcom "about nothing " have to say about something as universal as food? Quite a lot, it turns out. In this hour-long talk, you'll discover how the TV series Seinfeld (1989-1998) uses food to define its characters, shape their conversations, and highlight society’s endless—and often absurd—rules around eating. From marble rye to the Soup Nazi, from the Big Salad to the Junior Mint, food in Seinfeld is rarely just about what’s on the plate. Through clips and screenshots, this talk traces the show’s nine-season run and highlights the most memorable—and culturally revealing—food moments. Presenter Dr. Kelli Marshall , who has taught a college course devoted to Seinfeld , published articles on the show , and even Skyped with a cast member, guides you through how one of television’s most celebrated sitcoms turned food into a comedic feast of meaning. Request Talk

Visit one of Hollywood's best song-and-dance man with a tour to his homes Inside Gene Kelly's House Visit one of Hollywood's best song-and-dance man with a tour to his homes All Talks About Celebrate one of classic Hollywood's greatest song-and-dance men with a tour to his Beverly Hills home(s). In the process, you'll: Discover Chicago connections See rare excerpts from vintage movie fan magazines Learn how the activities taking place inside Kelly's house helped reshape the movie musical. This hour-long talk will also consider Kelly's connections to Pittsburgh's Jewish community. Request Talk

Learn about three eras of Hollywood's history, from 1893-1970 Brief History of Hollywood Film Learn about three eras of Hollywood's history, from 1893-1970 All Talks About Looking for an accessible introduction to the history of mainstream cinema? This fast-paced, informative talk is led by a PhD with extensive experience teaching film studies at the university level. In just 60 minutes, you’ll explore three major eras of Hollywood history: Early cinema and the coming of sound Classical Hollywood and the studio system The New Hollywood of the 1960s–80s Whether you're new to film history or want a fresh overview from a seasoned educator, this lecture delivers a lively, insightful journey through the evolution of American cinema. Request Talk

Explore the history of Mardi Gras and its onscreen depictions, including some from Chicago film companies Mardi Gras and Movies in the Midwest Explore the history of Mardi Gras and its onscreen depictions, including some from Chicago film companies All Talks About In celebration of Fat Tuesday, explore the history of Mardi Gras and a few of its 200+ onscreen depictions, including some from Chicago film companies! In this hour-long program (offered virtually and in person), you will: Enjoy a short history of Mardi Gras , including the meaning behind its name, regional and global traditions, associated lawsuits, memes, and marketing. Explore movies that depict the famous New Orleans-based celebration , and learn why this annual raucous event has translated well to the silver screen since 1898! Compare pączki , a Fat Tuesday pastry common in Chicago and the Midwest, to New Orleans-style king cake , a ring of twisted cinnamon roll-style dough stuffed with cream cheese, praline, or strawberry—and a plastic baby doll. 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. Thief (1981) This explosion falls at the end of the 1981 neo-noir Thief , directed by Michael Mann and starring James Caan, Jim Belushi, and Tuesday Weld. Here, Caan's character, Frank, has just blown up Chicago's Green Mill Lounge . Established in 1907 as Pop Morse's Roadhouse, the Green Mill has attracted many celebrities over the years: Gloria Swanson, Al Jolson, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holiday, to name a few. Gangster Al Capone also had his own booth at the joint, which is still there. In addition to its firey demise here in Thief, the Green Mill has also been featured in Ocean’s 12, High Fidelity, The Lake House, V.I. Warshawski , and Next of Kin . Finally, did you notice the faux-pas in Thief 's Green Mill scene? If you look closely at the car door when Caan opens it, you'll see the movie lights used to illuminate the scene. Check out a screenshot . 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

Visit a mill from the credits of "Gone with the Wind," and uncover how Black Chicagoans and "The Chicago Defender" reacted to the 1939 movie Gone with the Wind in Chicago: Place, Protest, and the Black Press Visit a mill from the credits of "Gone with the Wind," and uncover how Black Chicagoans and "The Chicago Defender" reacted to the 1939 movie All Talks About Book for Apr. 2026 and after— download 2026 calendar . This 60-minute talk explores Gone with the Wind not as a Hollywood epic, but as a cultural flashpoint—tracing its contested legacy through place, protest, and the powerful voice of Chicago’s Black press. Through HD video, we go on location to Little Rock, Arkansas, to visit a grist mill briefly shown in the opening credits of Gone with the Wind . We then turn to The Chicago Defender , the Chicago-based African American newspaper founded in 1905. Drawing on contemporary articles, photographs, and interviews from the Defender , we return to Chicago in 1939 to examine how Gone with the Wind was received—by the general public and by protestors alike. The program concludes with the film’s recent reappraisal, including its (temporary) removal from media outlets such as HBO. PLEASE NOTE : This talk does not address Gone with the Wind 's production history, stars, plotlines, characters, or fandom. The focus is on the movie's credit sequence, public response, and media coverage. Request Talk

Celebrate six Chicago actors and the Hollywood musical for which they are most remembered Singin' in the Rain and Chicago Celebrate six Chicago actors and the Hollywood musical for which they are most remembered All Talks About Singin' in the Rain often ranks as the best film musical ever made—and, indeed, one of the best movies ever made. Set in 1927, the film tells the story of silent film stars as they navigate Hollywood's transition from the silent era to "talkies." No, Singin' in the Rain was not filmed in Chicago, nor does it take place here. But at least six of the movie's cast members are from or have strong connections to the Windy City. So on this virtual tour, which begins at a rain-inspired sculpture in Chicago, we will celebrate these six actors and the delightfully entertaining Hollywood musical for which they are remembered. 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. Harry and Tonto Harry and Tonto (1974) follows widowed retiree Harry Coombes (Art Carney) and his faithful cat, Tonto, on a cross-country journey. As the pair travel from NYC to LA—stopping in Chicago—they encounter interesting characters and experiences that challenge Harry’s perspectives on life, love, and aging. In this medium shot, Tonto cleans himself on the back dashboard of Harry’s car. The 1970s Chicago skyline is visible in the background. Harry and Tonto filmed for 2.5 weeks in Chicago before cast and crew headed west to the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, and finally Los Angeles (Greeley Daily Tribune , 24 Oct 1973). During production, Art Carney grew quite fond of the cat who played Tonto, a 4-year-old stray off the streets of LA. “The cat’s in love with Art,” said his trainer, Betty Schumacher in a 1974 interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch . In fact, after Harry and Tonto wrapped, Carney tried to buy the cat actor. But alas, he was not for sale. ⚠️ Warning for sensitive viewers: the cat dies in the film. 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

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. Flags of Our Fathers Flags of Our Fathers is a 2006 war drama directed by Clint Eastwood. It depicts the Battle of Iwo Jima (1945), the flag-raising atop Mount Suribachi, and the event's impact on six American soldiers’ lives. Notably, Flags of Our Fathers is a companion piece to Eastwood's film Letters from Iwo Jima (2006), the latter of which represents the battle from the Japanese perspective and is almost entirely in Japanese. Eastwood filmed the two war movies back to back. Flags of Our Fathers unfolds via flashbacks, this scene included. In this long shot, the war heroes are being honored on location in Chicago’s Union Station . For the scene, the Illinois Railway Museum brought in two vintage trains, and set designers redecorated the station’s Great Hall with WWII banners. In the background of this screenshot, note the massive banner representing the now-iconic photograph Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima . Aside from Union Station, Flags of Our Fathers filmed at Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, the Drake Hotel (seen at the end of this scene), and the Kenilworth and Glencoe train stations. Eastwood shot the movie over 58 days, a little longer than his usual speedy shooting schedule . 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