Henry King's "In Old Chicago" (1937) derives its appeal from a decade where opulence and melodrama served as ample background fodder for some great saga of tragedy in the human experience. On this occasion, that disaster is the great fire that leveled the city of Chicago in 1871 thanks, so history relates, to one Mrs. O'Leary and her temperamental cow. But before Bossy rekindles the spark that turns into a blaze of epic proportions we get the inevitable back story. The O'Leary's have come to Chicago to stake their fortunes in the big city. But even before arriving a bad omen strikes with the death of patriarch, Patrick O'Leary (J. Anthony Hughes) who is dragged behind a carriage by wild horses. Under matriarchal guidance a patchwork quilt of young love, randy obsession and sibling rivalry emerges between brothers, Dion (Tyrone Powers) and Jack (Don Ameche). Jack has aspirations for the mayoral seat of power. Dion has eyes for a saloon singer; the lusty whisky-voiced chanteuse, Belle Fawcett (Alice Faye). A contrivance in which Jack's political ambitions are nearly destroyed by the accidental complicity of Dion and the jealous muckraking of one Gil Warren (Brian Donlevy) are basically what fuel this treacle to its inevitable, if lavishly staged conclusion; a grand spectacle of all consuming flames chasing the populous of Chicago into the sea from whence salvation and a reprieve of immorality will ultimately emerge. King's direction is solid, and he is blessed on this occasion with three stars (Power, Ameche and Faye) who genuinely give it their all. The sets and costumes attain a level of period perfection that is two thirds historical and one part Hollywood grandeur.
Fox has done a thorough research job on this Studio Series title. We get both the theatrical version and the original limited engagement 'road show' edition that is a bit longer and fleshes out more of the plot and character development. For purists it's the 'road show' all the way. However, image quality on both versions is not exactly up to snuff. The chief complaint this reviewer has is that there is a generally poor level of contrast to the print that is overall much too dark. Whites are rarely clean and most of the tonal quality leads more toward murky black than variations of gray. Film grain is present throughout, however, for a film of this vintage it seems at least for the most part to be at, if not acceptable, then passable levels. The audio is Mono as it should be and is fairly represented. There are a few minor instances of pops and hiss but nothing that will distract. Extras include a Biography Special on Don Ameche, audio commentary and theatrical trailers for this and other Fox Studio Line titles.
Fox has done a thorough research job on this Studio Series title. We get both the theatrical version and the original limited engagement 'road show' edition that is a bit longer and fleshes out more of the plot and character development. For purists it's the 'road show' all the way. However, image quality on both versions is not exactly up to snuff. The chief complaint this reviewer has is that there is a generally poor level of contrast to the print that is overall much too dark. Whites are rarely clean and most of the tonal quality leads more toward murky black than variations of gray. Film grain is present throughout, however, for a film of this vintage it seems at least for the most part to be at, if not acceptable, then passable levels. The audio is Mono as it should be and is fairly represented. There are a few minor instances of pops and hiss but nothing that will distract. Extras include a Biography Special on Don Ameche, audio commentary and theatrical trailers for this and other Fox Studio Line titles.