Chicago Movie Tours
@chimovietours.bsky.social
🎬 Chicago film, expert insight. PhD-led tours and talks that help you discover the city through movies (and a little TV). chicagomovietours.com
RIP, Diane Ladd—who, even though she was only 8 years older than he—played Chevy Chase’s mother in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”
November 3, 2025 at 8:45 PM
RIP, Diane Ladd—who, even though she was only 8 years older than he—played Chevy Chase’s mother in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”
This Halloween, celebrate kitties across movie history—from early film reels to Chicago’s own feline film stars. 🐈⬛ #HappyHalloween
Purr-suing Stardom: Cats on the Silver Screen
Take a quick look at cats across movie history—from early film reels to Chicago’s own feline film stars.
www.chicagomovietours.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:19 PM
This Halloween, celebrate kitties across movie history—from early film reels to Chicago’s own feline film stars. 🐈⬛ #HappyHalloween
“Ford recalled his childhood in suburban Chicago, spending his weekends at the Lincoln Park Zoo and wandering outdoors during his free time.”
Harrison Ford recognized for environmental advocacy at Field Museum ceremony
The famed Chicago-born actor and environmental activist is the inaugural recipient of the Transformative Conservation Leadership award from the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:21 PM
“Ford recalled his childhood in suburban Chicago, spending his weekends at the Lincoln Park Zoo and wandering outdoors during his free time.”
New newsletter (on Hollywood kitties!) drops tomorrow—be a cool cat and subscribe here: chicagomovietours.com/subscribe 😎
October 28, 2025 at 6:00 PM
New newsletter (on Hollywood kitties!) drops tomorrow—be a cool cat and subscribe here: chicagomovietours.com/subscribe 😎
Reopening Friday, the museum will celebrate the 100th birthday of Johnny Carson in a new exhibit.
Chicago Museum of Broadcast Communications makes big return this weekend
A long-time fixture on the city’s museum scene is making its return, as the Chicago Museum of Broadcast Communications will open doors to a new pop-up.
www.nbcchicago.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Reopening Friday, the museum will celebrate the 100th birthday of Johnny Carson in a new exhibit.
Joan Cusack omission!
From Bill Murray to Da Pope: Vote for the biggest living Chicago celebrity
We picked 16 contestants for the tournament to crown the best living celebrity from Chicago.
www.axios.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Joan Cusack omission!
Reposted by Chicago Movie Tours
“Bauman wants the theater to offer something for everyone: concerts, film screenings, dance performances, indoor markets and even high school plays.”
Historic Portage Theater Has A New Owner Who Plans To Revive It As A Community Space
Chris Bauman, founder of the Avondale Music Hall and partial owner of the Patio Theater, bought the theater and wants to create a "community center" that hosts concerts, film screenings, indoor market...
blockclubchicago.org
October 24, 2025 at 6:10 PM
“Bauman wants the theater to offer something for everyone: concerts, film screenings, dance performances, indoor markets and even high school plays.”
“In talks with…”
John Hughes Documentary In Works With Chris Smith And Jack Turner Circling
Chris Smith and Jack Turner are in talks with John Hughes III to produce a documentary about the legendary Chicago filmmaker John Hughes
deadline.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:15 PM
“In talks with…”
Take a late lunch—and join our free virtual tour today at 1:00 PM (CT). Register below...if you dare! 🔪🩸
Horror Movies in Chicago: Child's Play and The Fury | Chicago Movie Tours
Delve into the backstories, productions, and locations of Chicago-based horror films "The Fury" and "Child's Play"
www.chicagomovietours.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Take a late lunch—and join our free virtual tour today at 1:00 PM (CT). Register below...if you dare! 🔪🩸
From film set to Instagram backdrop—read how Ferris Bueller's Day Off (and the rise of social media) may have inspired changes inside the Art Institute of Chicago. #NewPost
Could Ferris Bueller Change an Art Gallery?
From 1986 film set to Instagram backdrop—discover how Ferris Bueller’s Day Off may have inspired changes inside the Art Institute of Chicago.
www.chicagomovietours.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:51 PM
From film set to Instagram backdrop—read how Ferris Bueller's Day Off (and the rise of social media) may have inspired changes inside the Art Institute of Chicago. #NewPost
At 92nd Place and Bell Ave.
George Wendt gets a street named in his honor as the memories flow
George Wendt was a child of Beverly, that tightly-knit, leafy neighborhood on the South Side where he was celebrated Sunday. He was also a product of Old Town, that equally lovely but more frenetic…
www.chicagotribune.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:11 PM
At 92nd Place and Bell Ave.
Thank you, Base Club Chicago, for hosting me this weekend—and for being so eager to learn about all the movie ties to Chicago's major World's Fairs! 🎡🎥
October 20, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Thank you, Base Club Chicago, for hosting me this weekend—and for being so eager to learn about all the movie ties to Chicago's major World's Fairs! 🎡🎥
Provasic!!
At the Hilton Grand Ballroom this morning for the Openlands luncheon honoring Carol Ross Barney and Blair Kamin. I am also helping Richard Kimble get the folk responsible for his wife's murder.
October 17, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Provasic!!
Decades before Hollywood’s "The Wizard of Oz," Chicago’s Grand Opera House staged its own hit musical—funded, in part, by a sketchy medicine. Here’s the story! 🎬
From Wizard Oil to The Wizard of Oz: How Chicago’s Grand Opera House and a "Miracle" Medicine Made Stage History
Decades before Hollywood’s The Wizard of Oz, Chicago’s Grand Opera House staged its own hit version—funded, in part, by a patent medicine called Wizard Oil.
www.chicagomovietours.com
October 16, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Decades before Hollywood’s "The Wizard of Oz," Chicago’s Grand Opera House staged its own hit musical—funded, in part, by a sketchy medicine. Here’s the story! 🎬
In tomorrow's newsletter, Frank Lloyd Wright didn’t just build masterpieces—he showed movies inside them too. 🎬 Subscribe to join my recent road trip! chicagomovietours.com/subscribe
October 14, 2025 at 8:51 PM
In tomorrow's newsletter, Frank Lloyd Wright didn’t just build masterpieces—he showed movies inside them too. 🎬 Subscribe to join my recent road trip! chicagomovietours.com/subscribe
Burch cast several of John Hughes’ iconic teen movies like “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club” and “Weird Science.”
Jackie Burch, 'Sixteen Candles' and 'Die Hard' Casting Director, Dies at 74
The Emmy nominee is credited for launching the careers of action heroes like Bruce Willis into big-screen stardom
www.thewrap.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Burch cast several of John Hughes’ iconic teen movies like “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club” and “Weird Science.”
Born in Chicago in 1938, Dean is admired here by Andrew Davis, who directed him in The Fugitive: “He was the essence of what Chicago talent represented. Having a very troubled youth, Ron turned his life around to have a wonderful career as a loving, decent human being and respected talent.”
Ron Dean Dies: Actor In ‘The Fugitive’, ‘The Breakfast Club’ & Three Tom Cruise Films Was 87
Ron Dean died October 5 at 87. The actor's many credits include ‘The Fugitive,’ ‘The Dark Knight,’ three Tom Cruise movies, ‘The Breakfast Club’ and ‘Frasier.’
deadline.com
October 9, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Born in Chicago in 1938, Dean is admired here by Andrew Davis, who directed him in The Fugitive: “He was the essence of what Chicago talent represented. Having a very troubled youth, Ron turned his life around to have a wonderful career as a loving, decent human being and respected talent.”
This old ad for Hamlin’s Wizard Oil hides a surprising secret—it helped bring The Wizard of Oz to the Chicago stage. Subscribe to get the full scoop in tomorrow's newsletter! chicagomovietours.com/subscribe
October 7, 2025 at 8:45 PM
This old ad for Hamlin’s Wizard Oil hides a surprising secret—it helped bring The Wizard of Oz to the Chicago stage. Subscribe to get the full scoop in tomorrow's newsletter! chicagomovietours.com/subscribe
Tonight, we're getting spooky! 🕷️ The virtual tour/talk starts at 6:30 PM (CT). Register free below.
Horror Movies in Chicago: Child's Play and The Fury | Chicago Movie Tours
Delve into the backstories, productions, and locations of Chicago-based horror films "The Fury" and "Child's Play"
www.chicagomovietours.com
October 7, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Tonight, we're getting spooky! 🕷️ The virtual tour/talk starts at 6:30 PM (CT). Register free below.
Heads up, fans of Hallmark movies and the like!
New holiday movie filmed in multiple Chicago suburbs debuts Friday
A holiday movie debuting soon on Hulu will feature not one, but multiple Chicago suburbs.
www.nbcchicago.com
October 3, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Heads up, fans of Hallmark movies and the like!
So many of you reached out after reading this week's newsletter on the Century of Progress home tour! I'm glad you enjoyed my photos and stories about these strange little (and not-so-little) model houses built for the 1933-34 Chicago World's Fair. (1/3)
October 2, 2025 at 3:14 PM
So many of you reached out after reading this week's newsletter on the Century of Progress home tour! I'm glad you enjoyed my photos and stories about these strange little (and not-so-little) model houses built for the 1933-34 Chicago World's Fair. (1/3)
Revenue generated from summer hotel bookings “totaled $949 million, an all-time record,” claims Choose Chicago. 👏
Chicago sees record-breaking hotel stays over summer, generating nearly $1B in revenue
New tourism numbers paint a very different picture of Chicago than how the White House is trying to portray the city, as President Donald Trump is poised to send in National Guard troops.
abc7chicago.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Revenue generated from summer hotel bookings “totaled $949 million, an all-time record,” claims Choose Chicago. 👏
From steel to cypress logs, Chicago’s 1933 World’s Fair houses were built to last—sorta. Want the full story (and more pics)? Step back in time with me in tomorrow's newsletter! chicagomovietours.com/subscribe
September 30, 2025 at 8:21 PM
From steel to cypress logs, Chicago’s 1933 World’s Fair houses were built to last—sorta. Want the full story (and more pics)? Step back in time with me in tomorrow's newsletter! chicagomovietours.com/subscribe
Woohoo, today at 1:00 PM (CT!). Register free for the link to join: worldvirtualtours.online/events/chicago-on-film-grant-park-and-the-art-institute/
CHICAGO ON FILM. Grant Park and the Art Institute - World Virtual Tours
From Ferris Bueller to political drama, see Grant Park and the Art Institute of Chicago through the lens of film.
worldvirtualtours.online
September 29, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Woohoo, today at 1:00 PM (CT!). Register free for the link to join: worldvirtualtours.online/events/chicago-on-film-grant-park-and-the-art-institute/