Spencer Tracy

CHICAGO – The Founder and CEO of the Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) is Michael Kutza. In 1964, when he had the idea for the festival, legendary Chicago Sun-Times columnist Irv Kupcinet suggested a person who could help start the festivities. That person was silent film-era movie star Colleen Moore.

CHICAGO – Any “secret history” inevitably reveals some totally human trait that somehow counters a delicately constructed facade. Show business is no stranger to those histories, and the new documentary “Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood” is a doozy. Ex-Pimp to the Stars Scotty Bowers reveals all.

CHICAGO – Hedy Lamarr was tagged as “the world’s most beautiful woman” in movies during her brief run as matinee idol during the 1940s. While taking that on, she was also co-inventing a wireless guidance system during World War II. Director Alexandra Dean contrasts that double life in “Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story.”

CHICAGO – One could say that “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” director Rupert Wyatt has been pretty lucky. But even he’ll tell you that with his followup feature, “The Gambler,” he could be back to zero.

CHICAGO – We cover hundreds of Blu-rays and DVDs at HollywoodChicago.com every year and most are of the current variety, so it’s always nice to see a well-presented catalog title, a collection that makes a better gift for the classic movie lover in your family than, say, “Little Fockers” or “Yogi Bear.” Fans of Turner Classic Movies will love “Tracy & Hepburn: The Definitive Collection,” a solid 10-disc set eight movies, some of them great, and a fantastic tribute to a celluloid legend.

HOLLYWOOD – Silver Screen Indie Queen here with some post-St. Patty’s Day film buzz. What better way to start a column than with the Irish?