Presented by Chicago Film Archives as part of “Out of the Vault at 20,” a series of screenings celebrating the 20th anniversary of the founding of CFA.

Come help us celebrate Chicago Film Archives’ 20th year with a screening of some of the most enjoyable and fascinating films we’ve preserved over the years. You’ll see amateur entertainers from the ‘30s, out-of-control rock fans from the ‘70s, and plenty of colorful odes to the city of Chicago in between. All the films in this program will be presented on film and have been photochemically preserved by Chicago Film Archives, a non-profit dedicated to saving and sharing the film heritage of the Midwest.

Special thanks to the Chicago Film Society.

The program will include:

Chicago: City to See in ‘63
1962, Margaret Conneely, Joe Domin & Donna Johnson, 16mm, 13 min

A tongue-in-cheek “city symphony” film, produced by amateur filmmakers to encourage Photographic Society of America members to attend their 1963 conference in Chicago.

This film is part of CFA’s Margaret Conneely Collection and was preserved from original 16mm elements in 2006 with funding from the Women’s Film Preservation Foundation.

Rock Sox Disco Sux
1979, Bill Stamets, 16mm, 12 min

Super-8 filmmaker Bill Stamets’ experimental ethnography of “Disco Demolition Night” at Comiskey Park, featuring shock jock Steve Dahl leading a “Disco Sucks!” chant, an agitated Harry Caray watching the riot from the press booth, and rowdy teens in “FUCK THE BEE GEES” t-shirts hurling records at the side of the over-capacity building.

This film is part of CFA’s Bill Stamets Collection and was preserved from the original Super-8 workprint in 2024 with funding from the National Film Preservation Foundation.

Disintegration Line #2
1970, Larry Janiak, 16mm, 12 min

“An optically printed full color randomly animated film set to Gamelan music. Full field abstract images progress in subtle visual sequences in discernible steps of intensity. DL2 is a film expressing the spirituality in art, a view of the cosmos as dancing atoms.” — Larry Janiak

This film is part of CFA’s Larry Janiak Collection and was preserved from original 16mm elements in 2013 with funding from the National Film Preservation Foundation.

Chocolate Cake
circa 1973, JoAnn Elam, 16mm, 3 min

A caustic vignette on labor and sexism, Chocolate Cake was made in response to an evening during which male members of Chicago’s experimental film scene gathered at JoAnn Elam’s house and proceeded to ignore both her and the chocolate cake she made for the occasion. A spiritual predecessor to Jeanne Dielman, in 8mm.

This film is part of CFA’s JoAnn Elam Collection and was preserved from the original 8mm workprint in 2019 with funding from the National Film Preservation Foundation.

Variety Show at Peoria’s Palace Theatre
circa 1934, Irvine Pepper Siegal, 35mm, 10 min

Scenes of a lively Depression-era talent show in which Peoria, Illinois’ youth show off their skills in tap dancing, gymnastics, and Mae West impersonation.

This film is part of CFA’s Charles E. Krosse Collection and was preserved from an original 35mm nitrate print in 2021 with funding from the National Film Preservation Foundation.

The Saga of the First and Last
1954, Margaret Conneely, 35mm, 3 min

Midcentury amateur filmmaker Margaret Conneely enlists her son John for this colorful cautionary tale about the dangers of smoking. A wholesome morality play with an avant-garde touch.

This film is part of CFA’s Margaret Conneely Collection and was preserved from a 16mm reversal print in 2004 with funding from the City of Chicago.

Nightsong
1964, Don Klugman, 16mm, 22 min

A portrait of Chicago’s near-north nightlife scene in the mid-1960s, featuring soul and folk singer Willie Wright. Nightsong won the “Coupe Kodak-Pathe” prize at Cannes in 1965.

This film is part of CFA’s Don Klugman Collection and was preserved from a 16mm reversal print in 2007 with funding from the National Film Preservation Foundation.

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Tags: Bill Stamets, Chicago, Chicago Film Archives, Donna Johnson, Harry Caray, Irvine Pepper Siegal, Jeanne Dielman, JoAnn Elam, Joe Domin, John Conneely, Lakeview, Larry Janiak, Margaret Conneely, Museum Studies or... launch with Thomas Huston, Music Box Theatre, Out of the Vault at 20: CFA 20th Anniversary Variety Show, Steve Dahl, Willie Wright