In Old Chicago (1938)
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67% of critics liked it
(9 reviews) -
55% of users liked it
(1,139 ratings)
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… More 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
- Directed By
- Henry King
- Written By
- Niven Busch & Sonya Levien
- Genres
- Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1937 Wide
- On DVD
- Aug 9, 2005
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
As a film entertainment it is socko.
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, Time Out
With a star-filled cast and a fitful sense of drama, it's pretty much the same old recipe as the equivalent cycle of megabudget '70s exploiters, but the climactic conflagration is certainly worth the wait.
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, New York Times
Mr. King's direction, occasionally, is inspired, and the photography has unusual style and dramatic impact.
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Under Henry King's direction there is little of the old Fox pep.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Chicago makes up in atmosphere and color what it lacks in historical accuracy.
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Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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Tyrone Power
as Dion O'Leary
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Alice Faye
as Belle Fawcett
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Don Ameche
as Jack O'Leary
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Alice Brady
as Molly O'Leary
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Andy Devine
as Pickle Bixby
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Brian Donlevy
as Gil Warren
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Phyllis Brooks
as Ann Colby
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Tom Brown
as Bob O'Leary
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Sidney Blackmer
as Gen. Phil Sheridan
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Berton Churchill
as Senator Colby
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June Storey
as Gretchen O'Leary
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Paul Hurst
as Mitch
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Tyler Brooke
as Specialty Singer
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J. Anthony Hughes
as Patrick O'Leary
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Gene Reynolds
as Dion O'Leary (younger)
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Bobs Watson
as Bob O'Leary (younger)
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Billy Watson
as Jack as a Boy, Jack O'Leary (younger)
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Spencer Charters
as Beavers
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Rondo Hatton
as Rondo Bodyguard
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Ruth Gillette
as Miss Lou
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Eddie Collins
as Drunk
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Scotty Mattraw
as Beef King
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Charles Lane
as Booking Agent
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Frank Dae
as Judge
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Harry Stubbs
as Fire Commissioner
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Joe King
as Ship's Captain
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Francis Ford
as Driver
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Robert Murphy
as Police Officer
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Wade Boteler
as Police Officer
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Gustav von Seyffertitz
as Man in Jack's Office
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Russell Hicks
as Man in Jack's Office
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Harry Hayden
as Johnson Secretary
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Vera Lewis
as Witness
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Mme. Sul Te Wan
as Hattie
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Minerva Urecal
as Frantic Mother
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Clarence H. Wilson
as Lawyer
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Ed Brady
as Wagon Driver