In Old Chicago (1938)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Memorable, crazy movie

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Supposedly based off a fake novel 'We're the O'Learys' by Niven Busch; this film was indeed, 20th Century Fox's answer to MGM's disaster hit film 1936's 'San Francisco'. It really did seem to copy, nearly everything from director Woody Van Dyke's movie, from musical dance numbers, love story between a criminal and a singer, political and criminal enterprises sub-plot and a fiery full climax. It even took, the whole idea of singing a song, by the waterside, while watching the city burn, motif. It's nearly a carbon copy. While, this movie was highly successful in its own right, with a Best Picture Oscar nominee, it's not really historic accuracy at all, as well. Directed by Henry King, the film tells the fictionalized account about the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 with the O'Leary family. First off, there is the urban legend spread by the Chicago Tribune newspaper about Mrs. O'Leary's cow starting the brazing fire that burn the city. In truth, it's highly doubtful that the cow set off the fire, due to the fact that the real Mrs. O'Leary was asleep when it started. Also, there is the fact that Chicago Tribune reporter Michael Ahern admitted to reporters, that the original report about a cow kicking off a lantern was false. Most likely, it was related to other wildfires in the Midwest that day due to drought and cause by poor city building techniques, such as wooden shingle roofs having topped with highly flammable tar. Anyways, although Mrs. O'Leary was never officially charged with starting the fire, the story became so engrained in local lore that Chicago's city council officially exonerated her—and the cow—in 1997. However, this later pardon didn't help her at the time, as Anti-Irish attitudes was growing, encouraging many Chicagoans to use the O'Learys as scapegoats. They became one of the most hatred families in America, for a very long time. While, this part of the story isn't the movie's fault, it doesn't help that the movie push the idea that the O'Leary accidentally did it, when the writers: Niven Busch, Sonya Levien, and Lamar Trotti truly knew, that they didn't, even for 1940's historical research standards. The portrayal of the real-life O'Leary family is largely fictitious here, down to the names of the characters being change to fit more with the Busch's novel. I really couldn't get, behind, the idea, that the real-life poor family was now rich, with Mrs. Catherine O'Leary became highly successful, laundry owner, Molly O'Leary (Alice Brady) with two high class boys, Dion (Tyrone Power), a local club owner, and Jack (Don Ameche) who ends up, being the Mayor of Chicago and a third son, Bob (Tom Brown) who really didn't add much to the story. Its stretch too far away from history. In truth, the O'Learys had two children, one son, James Patrick and one daughter, Anna. While, Dion is very similar to the notorious gangster, real-life James Patrick O'Leary; James didn't start running gambling saloons until the late 1890. Also, none of the O'Learys, ever ran for mayor as, the real-life, Chicago mayor at the time, was Roswell B. Mason. Despite that, I think, both Tyrone Power and Don Ameche did alright in their roles, even if Powers was a bit creepy with co-star, Alice Faye as Belle Fawcett. During pre-production, MGM had announced that Jean Harlow, who was under contract to that studio, would be loaned to 20th Century Fox to star in the role Belle Fawcett. However, due to Harlow's untimely death, the part went to Alice Faye. Faye's star power rose as a result of the picture, creating one of the best careers in the Golden Era of Hollywood. She really show that she has the screen-presence, both in the acting and singing. I'm surprise, she wasn't nominated for Best Actress. Well, I think Faye's co-star, Alice Brady did alright with her given role; it's nothing near amazing to the point that she deserve the best actress in a supporting role. It's funny that she never did get it, as Brady wasn't present at the award ceremony, but a man walked up and accepted the award on her behalf. After the show, he and the Oscar were never seen again. Anyways, another problem with this film is the pacing. At close to two hours, (112 minutes) it's one disaster movie that really stretch out. Since then, the 94 minute edition is available for commercial use. Still, the whole beginning scenes were ridiculous. The idea that Mrs. O'Leary's husband, Pat (J. Anthony Hughes) die in the most outrageous way, racing a steam train with a horse in the beginning was horrible. Who thought of that? In truth, he died much, much later due to poor health. I felt the movie spent way too long, exploring the O'Leary's boys' childhoods when it wasn't needed. It really didn't add anything to the rest of the movie. Despite that, the movie does pick up, toward the middle, as the humor, songs, and action kept me, very entertained, even if there is way too many dance numbers to count. Also, the spectacular 20-minute fire sequence in the film's climax (a dangerous sequence filmed on the studio's back lot with 1500 extras and a herd of cattle) was well made, even if the women stunt people were men in drag. At the time of its release, it was one of the most expensive movies ever made. No wonder, why other films like 1948's 'Call Northside 777' & 1976's 'Time Travelers' reused footage from the ending, here to save money. . Yet, I really didn't like the ending. It was sadly, way too cheerily and cheesy. Overall: This Windy City story kinda blows. It's not the worst historical disaster movie, I saw. Yet, it will never be, one of my favorites. In Old Chicago kinda does fizzles off.

As I watched this movie, the comparison to the movie Johnny Dangerously started when the two brothers get to mom's home and she is doing the laundry, a fine Irish woman, just like Johnny's mom...and when Dion ask mom to quit doing laundry, well there ya have the first thought... meanwhile his brother the lawyer is trying to make a name for himself while his brother is the gangster. Dion meets his girl (just like Lil in JD) and at first she fights him, then falls in love, Later his brother the lawyer will have to face his brother in court....Then there is the obvious similarities in the way both Michael Keaton and Dion carry themselves, even their eyebrows are sculptured similarly. Keaton must have watched this movie to get tips on how to pull it off.... Coincidence?....Maybe. Still it made me wonder. Rick in Indy.

People talk about the strengths of Golden Age cinema, and I believe in them, too, but watching "In Old Chicago" is to be reminded of the weaknesses:Thin characterizations. Overtly posed close-ups. Clichéd dialogue. Strained humor. Implausible romances. Improbable coincidences.It's all there in this early disaster movie, which depending on the version you see is either 100 minutes or 70 minutes of windy exposition followed by 25 minutes of fiery, building-crushing spectacle when the Great Fire of 1871 roars through Chi-town, courtesy of Mrs. O'Leary's cow.Alice Brady won an Oscar playing the legendary Mrs. O'Leary, though her solid performance only looks stellar compared to the rest of the cast. History tells us it wasn't her cow that caused the fire, yet this cinematic retelling has Mrs. O at the heart of everything having to do with old Chicago, with one son (Don Ameche) an earnest reformer and another (Tyrone Power) the corrupt power behind the throne. Their father died foreseeing a time when the O'Learys would "put their mark" on the city, and this they do, even before they burn it to cinders.The two O'Leary boys have this habit of coming to blows often but then reuniting very earnestly, facing the camera with happy smiles and declarations of sudden unity.As they often say in this movie: "We O'Learys are a strange tribe." "Strange" doesn't cover it.Power's character, Dion O'Leary, falls hard for saloon singer Belle Fawcett, whose job gives Alice Faye plenty of excuses for dressing up and delivering a series of hokey musical numbers. Dion pleads his case with Belle by wrestling her to the floor and ignoring her pleas to let him go until she returns his kisses passionately. Being he's Tyrone Power, this might even work. But could anyone get away with lines like his "We've fought, and maybe we'll go on fighting, but we'll do it – together!"Power does get credited for shedding his pretty-boy persona later in his career with harrowing war service and some tougher parts, but here he's all dimple-cheeked smiles and goo-goo eyes. Even when the script has him backstabbing nominal villain Brian Donlevy (really not that bad a guy compared to Dion through most of the film, though presented here as someone to root against only because he's played by Donlevy), Power can't muster up enough gas to make his skullduggery convincing.There's a tonal problem with the film. Director Henry King seems split between whether to make "In Old Chicago" a drama, a comedy, or a musical, so he tries for a bit of each, sometimes in tandem. The result is odd bits of pathos like Father O'Leary's death crammed up next to a scene where a fat woman is dropped in a mud puddle. Only in the last 20 minutes, when it becomes a full-fledged disaster film, does it find focus, and then only as spectacle with powerful scenics, like people walking on rooftops dwarfed by the fires raging behind them, or buildings raining masonry on the heads of fleeing victims.The focus on the O'Learys remains, however, as tired and improbable as ever, with Brady and Power left to deliver some final lines to the camera about Chicago emerging stronger and better from this disaster. It's all such hooey you almost wish for a lingering piece of masonry to tumble down upon them. But then someone would have to make still another speech about how they didn't die in vain, and then "In Old Chicago" would never end.

This movie tells the story of the great fire in Chicago in 1871.It also tells about the O'Leary family and the feud between its two brothers.Henry King is the director of In Old Chicago (1937).It has a great cast.Tyrone Power is Dion O'Leary.Gene Reynolds plays his young version.Alice Faye plays Belle Fawcett.Don Ameche is Jack O'Leary.Billy Watson is his young version.Alice Brady portrays Mrs. Molly O'Leary.Phyllis Brooks plays Ann Colby.Andy Devine is Pickle Bixby.Brian Donlevy plays Gil Warren.Tom Brown is Bob O'Leary.His young version is played by Bobs Watson.Charles Lane is Booking Agent.This movie may not be the biggest classic, but it's fairly entertaining.It's at its best when the city fights against the flames.This movie is worth your time.