Meet Dr. Kelli Marshall
Film historian, author, and founder of Chicago Movie Tours & Talks
I'm Kelli, a film scholar, educator, and founder of Chicago Movie Tours & Talks. Through expert-led walking tours and in-depth presentations, I draw on years of research to help audiences discover the people, places, and stories behind more than 135 years of filmmaking in Chicago.
Bringing Film Scholarship Beyond the Classroom
I help audiences discover Chicago's film history through research-based tours, talks, and public programs. Before founding Chicago Movie Tours & Talks, I spent over 15 years as a professor of film and media studies, where I taught courses on film history, television, and popular culture.
That experience shaped the way I share film history today: combining research and scholarship with storytelling, humor, visual media, and opportunities for audiences to engage. Whether leading a walking tour through Chicago's filming locations or presenting a lecture on Hollywood history, my goal is to make complex ideas accessible, memorable, and meaningful.
My writing on film and television has appeared in books, peer-reviewed journals, and popular publications, and my expertise has been featured on podcasts, local television, and international radio programs. Topics have included The Wizard of Oz, Singin’ in the Rain, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Seinfeld.
Chicago Movie Tours & Talks grew from a simple idea: movies are not just stories we watch—they are also records of the places, people, and history that surround us. Through tours and public talks, I bring film scholarship beyond the classroom and into the city itself.
When I’m not exploring Chicago’s cinematic history, you’ll find me renovating my 1920s Chicago bungalow, spending time with my two rescue dogs, or curating my Gene Kelly fan site.
Expertise and Experience
Founder of Chicago Movie Tours, successfully bridging the gap between film scholarship and unique walking tours, lectures, and virtual programs.
Creator of 50+ distinct film history presentations designed to help public audiences discover the stories, history, and culture of Chicago through film.
Published researcher and author with peer-reviewed work and essays spanning cinema history, star studies, television, and media adaptation.
Ph.D. in Humanities with 15+ years of university-level teaching and research experience specializing in film, television, and popular culture.
Experienced public speaker who has presented hundreds of programs for libraries, historical societies, museums, and community organizations.
Featured media expert invited to share film history insights on WGN, the Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, and various cultural podcasts.
While my public programming centers primarily on Chicago's cinematic legacy, my foundational research extends across film comedy, star studies (including Gene Kelly), television history, and Shakespeare adaptation.
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