Encounter four ways Hollywood has traditionally represented women onscreen Gender in Hollywood: Women Encounter four ways Hollywood has traditionally represented women onscreen All Talks About Encounter four ways Hollywood has traditionally represented women onscreen. Among the categories you'll consider: mothers, damsels, femme fatales, and domestic or romantic agents. You'll also get a primer on how movies have chosen to represent women's bodies over the years, particularly when few clothes are involved. Join Chicago Movie Tours for an overview of women onscreen! NOTE: To give your guests a thorough background on common representations of gender in Hollywood film, book this talk alongside Gender in Hollywood: Men . Or if only one subject interests you, book it individually! 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

Delve into the intersection of film history, animal performers, and cemetery lore Cinematic Canines and Circus Stars in Chicagoland Cemeteries Delve into the intersection of film history, animal performers, and cemetery lore All Talks About Cinematic Canines and Circus Stars in Chicagoland Cemeteries is an immersive talk that explores the intersection of film history, animal performers, and cemetery lore. In the first half of this program, you'll be transported to Illinois' oldest pet cemetery via original HD video. Here, you'll uncover tales of the first onscreen dogs, discuss the concept "cinema of attractions," and explore Hollywood's gradual recognition of the need for animal protection. In the second half of the talk, you'll "walk" through another cemetery, this one including plots exclusively reserved for circus and sideshow performers. Amidst the headstones, you'll discover the connections between this space and the world of film and television. Finally, you'll explore the cemetery's haunted history. Join us on this journey through Chicagoland's cemeteries, where cinematic canines and circus stars find their eternal rest. Request Talk

Explore Chicago as Gotham, uncover location filming secrets, and learn how camera angles in "The Dark Knight" reveal chaos and power 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 All Talks About Book for Oct. 2026 and after— download 2026 calendar . Discover how Chicago became Gotham in The Dark Knight (2008). Using original HD footage of the Chicago Board of Trade Building and Millennium Station , we’ll explore two iconic filming locations and share behind-the-scenes stories that highlight the creativity and challenges that brought Christopher Nolan’s Gotham to life. But Gotham isn’t just a city—it’s a stage for chaos. In the second half of this program, we’ll explore Heath Ledger’s Joker and his mantra, “introduce a little anarchy,” linking it to both the film’s story and visual style. Using downtown Chicago as our backdrop, you’ll learn to spot low-angle shots, understand their cinematic impact, and see how they heighten themes of power and disorder. By the end of this hour-long talk (and video tour) with Kelli , you’ll not only know where The Dark Knight was filmed, but you'll also gain tools to read the film’s imagery in a new way. Request Talk

This talk is not currently available for booking. Behind the Scenes with Chicago Movie Tours This talk is not currently available for booking. All Talks About Behind the Scenes with Chicago Movie Tours is no longer available for booking. Please explore Kelli's current talks for other options. Request Talk

Explore Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks," its legacy in cinema and popular culture, and the story of how Chicago brought the diner to life Art of the Diner: Nighthawks in Film, History, and Chicago Explore Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks," its legacy in cinema and popular culture, and the story of how Chicago brought the diner to life All Talks About Since 1942, Edward Hopper's Nighthawks has graced the walls of the Art Institute of Chicago . People have travelled across the world to see this depiction of a 24-hour diner with its four subjects, each seemingly lost in thought. This talk explores the story behind Hopper's painting, its influence on film, and how Chicago brought the diner to life. With Kelli , your attendees will: Discover key moments in Hopper’s life and career Explore his love of movies—and how cinema celebrates his work Analyze Nighthawks in popular culture Take an HD video tour to Chicago’s version of the famous diner This 60-minute program (plus Q&A) is ideal for library adult programs, film societies, or community venues looking to connect history, art, and Chicago culture in one entertaining session. Ready to dive into Nighthawks, Chicago style? 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

Explore hidden stories of women who shaped early Chicago cinema, with HD footage of key locations where they lived and worked Women and Early Cinema in Chicago: Untold Stories Behind the Silent Screen Explore hidden stories of women who shaped early Chicago cinema, with HD footage of key locations where they lived and worked All Talks About Discover untold stories of three women who helped shape early cinema in Chicago. Through HD footage of locations where these women lived and worked, you'll explore their often overlooked contributions to the early film industry. Start in Chicago's western suburbs at a modest Frank Lloyd Wright home, where you'll uncover a woman's impressive connection to pre-cinema through her work at the Art Institute of Chicago. Then, stroll down a 140-year-old brick-paved road to the Morse Theatre to hear about its innovative female ownership and why it was once hailed as "the theatre of the future." Finally, visit the old Essanay studio lot in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood, where a silent-era screenwriter worked before becoming one of Hollywood's most powerful gossip columnists. Led by a PhD who taught film for more than a decade, this program offers a unique glimpse into Chicago's cinema history, highlighting three (of countless!) oft-overlooked women who made their mark on the early days of film. Request Talk

Travel back to the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 and experience the first Ferris wheel through film and virtual reality Chicago's First Ferris Wheel in Film Travel back to the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 and experience the first Ferris wheel through film and virtual reality All Talks About The first Ferris wheel was a groundbreaking engineering marvel designed for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair (aka. World's Columbian Exposition). Standing as the Fair's tallest attraction, this iconic structure provided breathtaking panoramic views of the fairgrounds and the city. It also set a precedent for future amusement park attractions. Have you ever thought about what it might have been like to ride the original Ferris wheel? The views? The duration? The passengers? Let's try to answer these questions through the magic of movies and virtual reality. Ready to ride? Join Kelli on this unique virtual walking tour as we explore the world's first Ferris wheel in film. Request Talk

Delve into the backstories, productions, and locations of Chicago-based horror films "The Fury" and "Child's Play" Horror Movies in Chicago: Child's Play and The Fury Delve into the backstories, productions, and locations of Chicago-based horror films "The Fury" and "Child's Play" All Talks About Explore Chicago’s starring role in horror cinema through two cult classics: Brian De Palma’s The Fury (1978), a supernatural thriller featuring psychic experiments and a climactic sequence at the indoor amusement park Old Chicago , and Child’s Play (1988), where the infamous killer doll Chucky wreaks havoc across the city. Along the way, Dr. Kelli Marshall uncovers the production histories, inspirations, and Chicago landmarks tied to these films, while briefly spotlighting other local horrors such as Candyman , Flatliners , and Contagion . This hour-long talk blends film history, creepy thrills, and Chicago’s cinematic legacy. Request Talk

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

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