How Chicago invented the U.S. film industry

Posted March 20, 2016 11:00 pm

By Jean Jeske Glen Ellyn Historical Society

"Flickering Empire: How Chicago Invented the U.S. Film Industry" tells the little known story of how Chicago served as the unlikely capital of film production in America from 1907 to 1913, prior to the rise of Hollywood.

Authors Adam Selzer and Michael Glover Smith tell that story in a program at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn.

Learn about the roles such colorful, larger-than-life historical figures like Thomas Edison, Charlie Chaplin, Oscar Micheaux and Orson Welles played in the flickering empire, as well as about important but forgotten industry giants like "Colonel" William Selig, George Spoor and Gilbert "Broncho Billy" Anderson.

Tickets cost $10 or $8 for Glen Ellyn Historical Society members, and include wine, cheese and cookies. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Stacy's Corners Store at the History Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

For details, call (630) 469-1867 or visit www.gehs.org.

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