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This revamped second edition is the premier guide to the Windy City’s history in the film industry. Ranging from the dawn of the silent era, when one out of every five films in the world was made in Chicago, to today’s blockbusters and independent films, it chronicles the significant contributions of Chicago and Chicagoans to more than a century of American filmmaking. Among Chicago’s unique honors in this history are the development of early film technology; the first African American-owned and operated film studios; the birthplace of gore flicks; the origination and growth of movie palaces; and the importance of the Second City, Goodman, and Steppenwolf theaters as training grounds for comedic and dramatic talent. It provides readers with behind-the-scenes stories of studio films, independent work, and cult classics and includes exclusive interviews detailing all aspects of the movie-making process. Fully revised and updated, this new edition of a hometown classic features new film locations, more photographs, and new interviews, making it the perfect guide for film lovers and Chicago history buffs.