description In Old Chicago Overview
In Old Chicago is a 1938 action drama set during the devastating 1871 Great Chicago Fire. The film utilizes performances by Alice Brady and Tyrone Power to explore a fictionalized account of the disaster. It represents a significant production due to its substantial budget at the time, appealing primarily to audiences interested in historical narratives and dramatic portrayals of large-scale events.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
info In Old Chicago Specifications
| Country | United States |
| Year | 1937 |
help In Old Chicago FAQ
Are the O'Learys in In Old Chicago based on a real family?
The film uses the real Catherine O'Leary and the traditional story that the fire began near her barn, but the central O'Leary brothers and their conflicts are heavily fictionalized. Modern historical accounts also treat the famous cow-kicking-a-lantern explanation as unproven.
Who plays the rival O'Leary brothers?
Tyrone Power plays Dion O'Leary, an ambitious saloon operator, while Don Ameche plays Jack O'Leary, a reform-minded lawyer. Their rivalry connects the family melodrama to corruption and politics before the 1871 fire.
How was the Great Chicago Fire recreated for the film?
20th Century Fox mounted a large-scale effects production using burning sets, miniatures, rear projection, and crowds of extras. The destruction sequence was a major attraction of the film and helped earn it an Academy Award for assistant directing.
Which Oscar did Alice Brady win for In Old Chicago?
Brady won Best Supporting Actress for playing Molly O'Leary, the family's matriarch. The film also won for assistant directing and received several additional Academy Award nominations.
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