In Old Chicago (1938)

Once the movie ended, I threw away every match in the house. No use taking any chances. Wow, that calamitous Chicago fire was worthy of even today's special effects. Apparently, producer Zanuck-- TCF's head honcho-- was not about to let big-budget rival MGM monopolize disaster films with the earthquakie San Francisco (1936). So here we get a doozy of a blaze that consumes all Chicago on TCF's backlot (IMDB Trivia).The story's okay but nothing special. Two brothers from poor Irish background rise to prominence in early Chicago. Devious Dion (Power) uses guile and charm to work his way up the city's crooked political machine, while lawyer Jack (Ameche) tries to stay on the straight and narrow. Both have an eye for talented nightclub chanteuse Belle (Faye). Trouble is Dion plots against hooligan leader (Donlevy), which poses a real threat to his ambitions. All comes together once Ma's (Brady) cow kicks over the burning lantern. An interesting fact-- The script points out that the city burned because of all the wooden structures, and that the new downtown must be constructed of steel, which it was.Someone once said not to trust any movie where the leading man is prettier than the lady. Here we get a ton of Power's pretty boy close-ups. Fact is he performs well enough, but it's hard to take him seriously with such polished looks. On the other hand, catch the sadly disfigured Rondo Hatton among Donlevy's gang. Apparently, the cause was poison gassing from WWI that caused problems with the pituitary gland. On a happier note, little expense is spared with the nightclub numbers or crowd scenes in their period attire. Faye certainly makes a magnetic stage performer, and I can see why she was TCF's song and dance queen. Frankly, I could skip the obvious salt-of-the-earth pander, but I guess it appeals to many. Plus, Ma O'Leary's stern rectitude balances out much of the story's slimy side.Overall, the 95-minutes combines storyline and special effects in effective fashion. But, I'm not sure why it's slipped into obscurity compared with the similar San Francisco; maybe it's because of the latter's macho cast (Gable & Tracy). Nonetheless, this 1938 production's well worth the time, but be sure to hide your matches.

There were so many similarities to this wonderful film as well as "San Francisco," the film from the year before. Both had dance hall queens, politics at its worst, and disasters depicted on the screen as never before- earthquake and that terrible fire.As the tough, but understanding mother with wonderful values, Alice Brady was awarded the best supporting actress award for her grand performance. She was equally assisted by Tyrone Power, Don Ameche and Alice Faye, all of whom would appear together in "Alexander's Rag Time Band."Politics, as we know, is a dirty business but when it divides families, things really can't get much worse. Given the advent of the great Chicago family,just when the political pot was boiling, gave this film so much steam to plod ahead.Don Ameche is perfect as the ideal brother who became mayor of the town; but at a cost. Tyrone Power was in fine shape as his gambler brother, and Alice Faye, the dance hall girl, Power loved showed had what it took in the part. Brian Donlevy is at his ferocious best as the rascal who brought about the tragic ending.

The historical drama In Old Chicago is directed by Henry King and stars Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, and Don Ameche. The film takes place in 1870s Chicago.The film starts out with a family heading to Chicago in 1854. On the way to Chicago the father decides to race a train after his children ask him to do so and he loses control of the cart and ends up badly injuring himself, so much so it leads to his death. When the remainder of the family enter Chicago two of the children accidentally dirty a woman's dress and the mother offers to clean it for her. The mother is so good as cleaning she starts a business and then it is cut to 1870. All the boys are grown up one is a lawyer, one is involved with gambling and other frowned on affairs, and the final one does not really have that much of a part so it doesn't matter. The son that is a lawyer, Jack (Ameche), is convinced to run for mayor and Dion (Power) is one of the heads of a somewhat crime organization. The two are rivals, but then the great fire starts burning...The writing for this film is decent. It is an interesting concept having the two brothers pitted against each other, I like that part a lot. But every relationship involving a woman of romance just seemed so unnatural and forced. It was just like if anyone talked to a woman in a few minutes they would be in love. I liked towards the end everything that had to do with the fire, I thought that was very interesting and kept my attention. After the film ended though not much was very memorable.Henry King's direction for this film was quite good. One shot in particular I liked was when it was in the bar and the camera dollied backwards and I saw all the bartenders serving beer to the large crowd of people. This shot was so much more efficient than just an overhead shot displaying the large amount of people because it felt like I was actually there. Also King directed everything with the fire brilliantly as well. He got solid performances from all his leads as well.The editing for this film was equally as good as the direction. One thing I liked in particular was when the mother was washing the clothes and all the years passed by over her washing. I thought that was much smarter than just going to the next shot and putting 1870 on the bottom of the screen. Again with the fire scenes everything was edited perfectly, especially involving the special effects.The acting was solid by most of the cast. I thought Tyrone Power played his part very well, he was likable even though his character was devious. I did think the parts where he was with any woman besides his mother were ridiculous, but that wasn't his fault it was the writers and director. Alice Faye did not give that great of a performance but I thought her role was somewhat useless so it was hard for her to be good. Don Ameche basically just read his lines and furrowed his brow during the whole film so nothing remarkable. Alice Brady won an Oscar for her role as the mother and she deserved it. She was basically a caring mother that did not want her sons to be running around and being with women who were not of class. She played the part perfectly and really could not have improved.Overall I give this film a very weak 7/10. My main issue is that after the film I almost immediately forgot it but during the film it was quite an experience. I would recommend this film to anyone who enjoys historical dramas.

Along with "San Francisco" this is one of the first Hollywood "disaster" movies, establishing the genre where we get drawn into the characters lives for the first half-to three quarters of the film, and then watch the place explode/sink/burn in the final quarter. This Fox relic is actually pretty good, because it doesn't run too long, and director Henry King handles the personal drama as well as he does the Chicago Fire of 1871. Tyrone Power and Don Ameche are unlikely as Irish brothers, but are pleasant all the same as the likable rogue of the O'Leary clan (Power) and the idealist (Ameche). Power, along with his sweetheart showgirl Alice Faye, is making a monza from his saloon in the rough area of Chicago, but mayor Ameche wants it cleaned up. Cue human drama and political conflict, as well as romantic complications, as the smooth Power is willing to use Faye to his advantage in getting a better deal for himself. Faye was made a big star by this film but I don't really understand her appeal. She's not very attractive and her singing voice sounds strange. Alice Brady won Best Supporting Actress as Ma O'Leary and she's good, but the part isn't exactly challenging. Fox costume films never looked quite as sumptuous as MGM productions did in this period, due to budget constraints, but this one does a good job in capturing the feel of the era, even if most of the story is complete fiction