Great Chicago Fire of 1871 - Beginning Scenes
In 1937, a film called "In Old Chicago" was distributed by 20th Century Fox. It tells the story of the Great Fire of 1871.
The film's back story - about the O'Leary family - is fictional. For example:
- Patrick O'Leary was still alive when the fire occurred;
- The O'Learys had two children - James Patrick (a son who later became a gambler and a saloon-owner) and Anna (who married James Ledwell);
- None of the O'Learys died in the fire;
- Chicago's mayor, in 1871, was Roswell Mason.
Despite the movie's fictional back story, historians have praised the film for its depiction of the Great Fire.
NOTE: To see the story of the fire - which, in this film, uses the legend of Mrs. O'Leary and her cow as the ignition source - move the video forward to 09:44.
Media Credits
Clip from "In Old Chicago," a 1937 film, by 20th Century Fox. Copyright, 20th Century Fox, all rights reserved. Clip provided here as fair use for educational purposes and to acquaint new viewers with the production.
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