Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

A Masterpiece!

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

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.

I'm sick and tired of hearing about Tyrone Power being just a pretty boy image. there were bandits pirates crooks who must have been good looking you know. Power was a looker but above all a dam good actor. he could play any role with ease and they were always well rendered. his work in IN OLF CHICAGO is impeccable and he Alice Brady and Andy Divine give good performances. know the history might be far fetched...but this is entertainment guys. Alice Faye i found fair in this one her role was not important enough but her singing brought diversity in the film. don ameche was good too. I'm sorry but TYRONE POWER was not just a pretty face......look at the good job he did in NIGHTMARE ALLEY WITNESS TO PROSECUTION AND ABANDON SHIP....what did you want him to do set his face on fire so he could be ugly.

Political machinations abound in "Jesse James" director Henry King's historical tale "In Old Chicago." This portrait of urban corruption in the Windy City during the 1870s culminates with the devastating Chicago fire that destroyed a large part of the city. The clan O'Leary family ends up in the middle of all the mayhem. Special effects director H. Bruce Humberstone and his crew conjured up the fabulous images of Chicago ablaze with buildings collapsing. Clocking in at a trim 94 minutes, this flavorful yarn never wears out its welcome. Strapping young Tyrone Power heads a sturdy cast as the notorious Dion O'Leary, while Don Ameche co-stars as his straight-up, on the level, brother Jack. "In Old Chicago" received Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Writing by Niven Busch, Best Music, and Best Sound Recording. Initially, the clan O'Leary traveled to Illinois aboard a wagon with their mother and younger brother Bob. With Chicago looming on the horizon, the O'Leary family decides to challenge a locomotive to see who can outrun whom. Tragically, O'Leary patriarch, Patrick O'Leary (J. Anthony Hughes), whips his two horse team for more speed to beat the train. Sadly, the horses break free of the wagon and drag the father to his death. When the O'Leary clan trundles into the muddy streets of Chicago, Molly O'Leary (Oscar winner Alice Brady who won the statuette for Best Supporting Actress) discovers she can reap a fortune by washing clothes, so she sets up her French laundry. Meantime, Dion falls in with the wrong crowd heading by none other than Brian Donlevy as the villainous Gil Warren. Warren owns the most prosperous saloon in the city. Warren imports a vocalist from New York City named Belle Fawcett (Alice Faye) to warble her sweet tunes in the Hub. Not surprisingly, Dion falls madly in love with Belle the first time he lays eyes on this gorgeous gal. Mind you, Belle doesn't reciprocate similar sentiments. Indeed, she plays hard-to-get. As it turns out, the O'Leary clan learns about Gil Warren's secret plans to re-route a trolley car system from a sketch on a tablecloth from the Hub. Before long, Dion steals Belle away from Gil, and the two go in as partners in their grander establishment known as The Senate. Gil decides to run for mayor, while the upright townspeople implore Jack to run against Warren on the Reform ticket. Actually, the scheming Dion has sent the delegation to persuade Jack to run for mayor. At the same time, Dio engineers a way to ensure that Gil won't win the mayor's race. He invites Warren and all his cronies from a section of Chicago known as 'the Patch' to a political banquet. Dion's men goad these fellows into a fight, and the Chicago Police Department show up in force with paddy wagons galore. The cops arrest Warren and all of his political bosses, and Jack wins the race. No sooner has Jack triumphed in the mayor's re-election than he goes after his brother and the anarchic element thriving in the Patch. At first, Jack wants to expose Dion's evil by persuading Jack's partner Belle to testify against him in court. Crafty Dion exchanges marital vows with Belle, and this transition rules out the wife testifying against her husband. Meantime, Mrs. O'Leary's cow kicks over a milk bucket and all hell broke loose. This empire building that collapses is tremendous stuff.

Irish-American prairie traveler Alice Brady (as Molly O'Leary) suffers tragically before arriving to settle in the somewhat hellish city of Chicago. Starting a successful laundry business, Ms. Brady raises three handsome sons to adulthood. In 1867, they are: rascally star Tyrone Power (as Dion), politically-minded Don Ameche (as jack) and boyish Tom Brown (as Bob). Gambling and dallying with pretty saloon singer Alice Faye (as Belle Fawcett), Mr. Power tests his mother's nerves..."In Old Chicago", Power sets out to put business rival Brian Donlevy (as Gil Warren) out of business, with help from high-pitched pal Andy Devine (as Pickle Bixby). The legendary cow owned by "Mrs. O'Leary" puts her kick into this dramatization. The silliness sets in after some pleasant opening scenes, with the romance and rivalry becoming increasingly tiresome. But do stay tuned for the Twentieth Century-Fox production team to fire up the screen during the apocalyptic ending.******* In Old Chicago (12/31/37) Henry King ~ Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Alice Brady, Don Ameche