Margaret Conneely

Margaret Conneely was active in amateur filmmaking locally and internationally for nearly half a century, first joining a local Chicago camera club in 1949. Her son, John, stars in Saga of the First and Last, a short film about a boy, a gun and his first (and last) cigarette.

A domestic black comedy, MISTER E expresses some of the edgier mischief and discontent that women of mid-century America could rarely express openly. This short film narrates the revenge acted out by a young wife, left at home while her husband is at a card game; by staging a rendezvous with a mannequin, this woman provokes an eruption of jealousy and violence before bringing about the desired marital tenderness. Preserved by Chicago Film Archives with support from the Women’s Film Preservation Fund.

A "city symphony" film, produced to encourage Photographic Society of America members to attend their 1963 conference in Chicago, City to See is a surprising film. It combines footage of Chicago with a deadpan commentary that pokes fun commercial travel films: "Chicago is my town," the narrator says wryly, "and no other town will do." Conneely was awarded a special prize by the Photographic Society of America for this film.

Restored to its original glory by the National Film Preservation Foundation back in 2005, this little Christmas film is one of our holiday favorites. Margaret Conneely (Chicago amateur filmmaker & CFA Collection namesake) frames stop-motion animation and trick photography with live action footage to fuel her very own Christmas fairy tale. FAIRY PRINCESS (1956) was Margaret Conneely's most successful amateur film, winning a slew of local awards, and being named one of the Photographic Society of America's 'Ten Best films of 1956.' Conneely's film was also awarded the PSA's 'Harris B. Tuttle Trophy'; named after Eastman Kodak's innovator of the 16mm format, this trophy was awarded annually for the best amateur storytelling film on a family theme. - Chicago Film Archives

Amateur film about marital infidelity made by Metro Movie Club member Margaret Conneely.

A slapstick domestic comedy about a middle-aged couple trying to live more economically.

Unedited film of rural shore Havana, Cuba. Footage includes scenes of the old stone buildings and lighthouse along the ocean, mountain landscapes, people fishing and boating. Shot by Metro Movie Club member Ed Diller.

A distinctly Chicago tale of marital infidelity made by Central Cinematographers, a Chicago cine-club made up of “advanced amateurs” who met once a week to produce short narrative films. Chuck and Mary Ann, both married, are having an affair. Chuck gives Mary Ann a fancy necklace, giving her a key and telling her that he will put the necklace in the corresponding locker in Union Station. Mary Ann is to give the key to her husband claiming she found it, and he will presumably get the necklace and give it to her. She does this, but her husband brings her back the box with a cheap pocket watch in it instead. Mary Ann blames Chuck and calls him angrily, claiming she knows his game—meanwhile, Mary Ann’s husband has given the necklace to a woman he’s having an affair with, along with the key to fool her husband. Locations include establishing shots of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Marina Towers, as well as one short scene shot presumably in Union Station.

In this amateur domestic comedy by Chicago’s Metro Movie Club, housewives use 16mm film to outwit their horny husbands.