"Call Northside 777" (Chicago, Time: neighborhoods, movies, live)

[Nearwest]

I watched this film on television this morning (12-26). The lead actor was James Stewart.


This movie was filmed in Chicago in 1947. It was the first Hollywood feature film to be shot in Chicago.


It was interesting to see views of the Merchandise Mart, as well as scenes featuring residential and commercial blocks in the West Town area.


The picture is based on a true story of a Chicago reporter who proved that a man in prison for murder of a police officer, was wrongly convicted about 10 years prior.


Stewart's character was a reporter for the 'Chicago Sun.' The 'Sun-Times' grew out of the merger of the 'Sun' and the 'Times' in 1948, which was the year following the filming of this movie.


I was struck by how lively and thriving downtown, as well as the residential neighborhoods, were portrayed in this film.

[nana053]

Originally Posted by Nearwest

I watched this film on television this morning (12-26). The lead actor was James Stewart.


This movie was filmed in Chicago in 1947. It was the first Hollywood feature film to be shot in Chicago.


It was interesting to see views of the Merchandise Mart, as well as scenes featuring residential and commercial blocks in the West Town area.


The picture is based on a true story of a Chicago reporter who proved that a man in prison for murder of a police officer, was wrongly convicted about 10 years prior.


Stewart's character was a reporter for the 'Chicago Sun.' The 'Sun-Times' grew out of the merger of the 'Sun' and the 'Times' in 1948, which was the year following the filming of this movie.


I was struck by how lively and thriving downtown, as well as the residential neighborhoods, were portrayed in this film.

If anyone wants to watch it, it is on youtube.

https://youtu.be/bGOO9PfVFBg

[BRU67]

Another good one to watch, if you can find it anywhere, is Haskell Wexler's "Medium Cool." It was shot in Chicago in the summer of 1968. It has some great scenes of the City back then, as well as scenes shot right in the middle of the riots. Wexler just kept the cameras rolling, to great effect.

I've heard that Daley I was so unhappy with that film's portrayal of Chicago that he became hostile towards filmmaking here. Beyond 1971's T.R. Baskin, 1975's Cooley High, and 1978's The Fury, I don't think there were any movies shot here after Medium Cool until Jane Byrne famously changed gears with the Blues Brothers in 1979.

[EllieKay56]

[quote=BRU67;56949410]Another good one to watch, if you can find it anywhere, is Haskell Wexler's "Medium Cool." It was shot in Chicago in the summer of 1968. It has some great scenes of the City back then, as well as scenes shot right in the middle of the riots. Wexler just kept the cameras rolling, to great effect.

I watched Medium Cool on TCM a few months ago. It was a riveting movie. I was 12 years old the summer of '68 so I remember the riots well.

[Nearwest]

BRU67 and EllieKay56: Earlier this year, I posted in the Entertainment section on this forum recommending "Medium Cool." My posting was prompted by the death of Robert Forster, who appeared in this film in the role of a TV cameraman.


"Medium Cool" was notable for Haskell Wexler's use of a cinema verite-style documentary, and for combining fictional and non-fictional content.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Nearwest

BRU67 and EllieKay56: Earlier this year, I posted in the Entertainment section on this forum recommending "Medium Cool." My posting was prompted by the death of Robert Forster, who appeared in this film in the role of a TV cameraman.

As did Verna Bloom, who later played Mrs. Dean Wormer in Animal House. She just died earlier this year. A young Peter Boyle also appeared in it. He also appeared in T.R. Baskin, another rare Chicago location film a couple years later. He died about 13 years ago.

It really is a very good movie. Unfortunately, it never got much attention it is not really easy to find unless you're directly looking for it.

[EllieKay56]

Originally Posted by Nearwest

BRU67 and EllieKay56: Earlier this year, I posted in the Entertainment section on this forum recommending "Medium Cool." My posting was prompted by the death of Robert Forster, who appeared in this film in the role of a TV cameraman.


"Medium Cool" was notable for Haskell Wexler's use of a cinema verite-style documentary, and for combining fictional and non-fictional content.

It's funny because I associated Robert Forster as being Mike Baxter's dad on Last Man Standing.

I hope TCM runs Medium Cool again. I would love to watch it once more. Like I said it was a good movie.