In Old Chicago is a 1937 Oscar-winning dramatic film. It tells the story of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, with a fictionalized plot, the story of the two sons of Mrs. O'Leary (Alice Brady) (the owner of the cow which started the fire), one a rogue (Tyrone Power) the other a lawyer (Don Ameche). It also starred Alice Faye and Andy Devine.
The film was written by Sonya Levien and Lamar Trotti, from the Niven Busch story "We the O'Learys." The film was directed by Henry King. At the time, it was one of the most expensive movies ever made.
The movie was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Alice Brady won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. She was the first person to win the Supporting Oscar after being nominated in the prior year.
Despite crediting the Chicago Historical Society for assistance with historical research, the portrayal of the O'Leary family is completely fictitious down to the names of the characters (Mrs. O'Leary's name was Catherine, not Molly), the number of family members, and the fate of Patrick O'Leary.
Story of the great fire of 1871. Fictional story of two sons of Mrs. O'Leary (the owner of the cow which started the fire), one a rogue (Power) the other a lawyer (Ameche). One of the most expensive films of its time ($1.8 million). Written by Ed Stephan
