'' In Old Chicago '' is a 1938 American drama disaster film directed by Henry King . The screenplay by Sonya Levien and Lamar Trotti was based on the Niven Busch story , " We the O'Learys " . The film is a fictionalized account about the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and stars Alice Brady as Mrs. O'Leary , the owner of the cow which started the fire , and Tyrone Power and Don Ameche as her sons . It also stars Alice Faye and Andy Devine . At the time of its release , it was one of the most expensive movies ever made
Great Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
In Old Chicago