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In Old Chicago (1938)

In Old Chicago (1938)
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In Old Chicago was 20th Century-Fox's spin on MGM's San Francisco--a personal saga played out against the backdrop of a famous 19th Century disaster. Alice Brady plays Mrs. O'Leary, a widow who brings her two young boys to the sleepy village of Chicago. As the city grows in prominence and prestige, so do the boys: One son (Tyrone Power) becomes a rascal who dreams of creating his own entertainment empire, while the other son (Don Ameche) matures into an honest, straight-laced lawyer. Both boys woo a beautiful singer (Alice Faye), who favors the more reckless of the two. As the headstrong son gains control of the more disreputable forms of Chicago entertainment, the serious son becomes the city's Mayor. The requisite rivalry between the two reaches a fever pitch just before their mother's cow knocks over a lantern and sets off the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The O'Leary boys unite in trying to fight the conflagration and rescue the populace; the mayor dies, and the wastrel son vows to mend his ways and help build a "new" Chicago. In Old Chicago is climaxed spectacularly by the famous fire, a masterwork of special effects courtesy of 20th Century-Fox's Fred Sersen. The film, which originally ran 115 minutes, is currently available only in its shorter (and better paced) reissue version. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, (more)
Director(s):
Henry King
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of In Old Chicago

In Old Chicago was 20th Century-Fox's spin on MGM's San Francisco--a personal saga played out against the backdrop of a famous 19th Century disaster. Alice Brady plays Mrs. O'Leary, a widow who brings her two young boys to the sleepy village of Chicago. As the city grows in prominence and prestige, so do the boys: One son (Tyrone Power) becomes a rascal who dreams of creating his own entertainment empire, while the other son (Don Ameche) matures into an honest, straight-laced lawyer. Both boys woo a beautiful singer (Alice Faye), who favors the more reckless of the two. As the headstrong son gains control of the more disreputable forms of Chicago entertainment, the serious son becomes the city's Mayor. The requisite rivalry between the two reaches a fever pitch just before their mother's cow knocks over a lantern and sets off the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The O'Leary boys unite in trying to fight the conflagration and rescue the populace; the mayor dies, and the wastrel son vows to mend his ways and help build a "new" Chicago. In Old Chicago is climaxed spectacularly by the famous fire, a masterwork of special effects courtesy of 20th Century-Fox's Fred Sersen. The film, which originally ran 115 minutes, is currently available only in its shorter (and better paced) reissue version. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
94 mins

Complete Cast of In Old Chicago


Director(s):
Henry King
Writer(s):
Lamar Trotti, Sonya Levien, Niven Busch
Producer(s):
Darryl F. Zanuck
In Old Chicago Awards:
  • 1937 - Film Daily - 10 Best Films
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Raymond R.

This is one of the most enjoyable movies I've seen since joining Blockbuster. The acting bristles with urgency, integrity and humor. Alice Faye, here in the right role and with Tyrone Power for inspiration, justifies her superstar status. Even in black and white, and with 1938 technology, the great fire of 1871 looks authentic and spectacular. The main Special Feature is a fascinating biography of Don Ameche, who, the following year, would "invent the telephone". You don't have to be a film history buff to love this movie.

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Myles S.

This was a very good movie in several ways. First, it was a story of rising from poverty to wealth by hard work and initiative. Secondly, there was a lot of skullduggery and betrayal between the sons. Third, the movie was a nice 1930's musical, which actually played a major part in the film. The fire scenes of the city burning while people were trying to escape while fire wagon after wagon ran through the crowds was as dramatic as the burning of Atlanta in Gone With The Wind.

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Lloyd V.

. . "One dark night, when we were all in bed...," as goes the ballad of Mrs. O'Leary and her damned cow. This is her (highly fictionalized) story and, along with "San Francisco," the granddaddy of Hollywood disaster flix. Several generations before CGI, these FX are SUPERB! The soap opera leading up to The Great Chicago Fire isn't terribly compelling, but the cast IS, with Tyrone Power and Alice Faye vying for the "who's prettier" prize, and Alice Brady would cop the Supporting Actress Oscar as Mrs. O'Leary (the idiot who left the lantern in the shed). Hot time in the old town tonight, indeed!! You'll love it!

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