Chicago Calling

The feature CHICAGO CALLING is a great example of two things, first it is a fine independent feature shot on location with a realistic, gritty feel and believable characters.

Secondly, it's a brand new film print made in our film lab on the third floor from the original picture and sound nitrate negatives also stored in this building and an excellent example of what film preservation is all about. Saving the forgotten films, the orphans if you will. These neglected films have good stories and need to be seen on the big screen with an audience.

And tonight, is extra special for another reason: in our audience is one of the stars of this 1952 feature film, Gordon Gebert (pronounced Gee- burt) who played the young boy that befriends the lead actor played by Dan Duryea.

Gordon would you please stand up so these fine folks can give you a hand?

Since we have Gordon Gebert here in person, I'm going to shorten my usual opening remarks so we can spend more time after the film talking with him about his amazing early career and what he is doing now days.

We invite you to stay a few minutes after the film, which is only 75 minutes long, and we'll play a short video showing Gordon with some of his other co-stars including: Loretta Young, Janet Leigh, Robert Mitchum, Burt Lancaster, Ray Milland, Paul Douglas and John Wayne.

Scenes from some of Gordon's 31 film and television appearances including: Come To The Stable; Holiday Affair; The Flame And The Arrow; Night Into Morning; Fourteen Hours; The House On Telegraph Hill; Flying Leathernecks and Narrow Margin.

Then we will chat with this former child star and you'll have a chance to ask him about his life in the movies who is now a professor of architecture at the City College of New York after getting degrees from both Princeton & MIT!

Now let's watch Chicago Calling

I saw "Chicago Calling" sometime in the 1950's. I was a kid at the time. I have seen this movie only that one time; it left an indelible impression on me. I really FELT for this man who was waiting for a phone call to find out the status of his wife and child -- who were in a car accident. Whenever I hear the name of the actor, Dan Duryea, I recall his amazing, heart-wrenching performance in this film. And I remember the ANXIETY Duryea's character endured; that his telephone -- while waiting for this crucial call -- was going to be disconnected for non-payment. Since that first and only time of seeing this movie, I have had a desire to see it again -- as an adult. I'm curious to see if it will still affect me so strongly. Fifty years of living since seeing it -- no doubt -- will make it a different viewing experience. It's been a few years since I checked to see if it's available now in any format. I hope it will someday be available . . . HOLD THAT THOUGHT! I just Googled it and see that it IS now available in VHS or DVD format!!! WOW! I am going to order it as soon as I post this message! I'm very excited about this! I'm not kidding. This is a sincere post!

Dan Duryea gives a chilling performance in John Reinhardt's "Chicago Calling" as a man whose world has come crashing down around him. His desperation reels a number of people into his life as he tries to gather enough money to continue a call with his wife after learning that their daughter has been in a car crash. Among the film noir genre, this is not the most readily available movie, but that doesn't mean that you should blow off trying to see it. This is one of the most impressive movies that I've seen, and one of the most devastating. I don't know of any other movies that Reinhardt did, but if this is indication then he must have been a very good director.

More than anything, "Chicago Calling" shows why film noir was probably the best genre to arise in the post-war years. Gritty with minimal violence, chilling without being corny, and always thought-provoking. I've liked ever film noir that I've seen, and that includes this one. Really good.

This is a movie I never forgot, nor the actor Dan Duryea. Every time I see Dan Duryea in a movie, I always remember the movie "Chicago Calling". If I remember correctly, I first saw the movie in the late 50's; and being ten or eleven years old, was very sad to see a father trying so hard to get his phone back on so as to be able to get word from his wife, that she and their son were going to be okay after a car accident. The accident with the little dog made it even sadder. It's nice to know, though, that there are good people working for the telephone company, as was the character that played the part of the telephone man sent to disconnect the phone, but is nice enough to make sure a man waiting for a call from a loved one that was involved in an accident, is given an an opportunity to connect and not be disconnected, like what happens to many of us when we are late in paying our telephone bill. Gee, I really would like to see this movie again.

I wrote my review and then it didn't "submit' so I lost it. I am going to attempt writing it again because I really stand by what I wrote.

Firstly, as far as this type of noir -- they are often stressful and bad news every turn -- Chicago Calling has ups and downs along the way. So it was far less mundane as similar style noirs. An overall good story.

I always knew Duryea was a wonderful actor, but many films I have seen him in were smaller roles or as one of his slimy heavies. So to see this performance, playing in the sole star role and as a caring and kind fatherly figure, was very believable and moving.

The story moves along with good acting, and appropriate scene lengths, timing, settings, relevance, and fine acting all around. The kids held their own with the adults, particularly Gordon Gebert as Bobby.