Hog butcher, tool maker, movie mecca

Actors Francis X. Bushman, from left, Charlie Chaplin and Gilbert "Broncho Billy" Anderson in 1914. (Chicago Tribune archive)

Filmmaker George K. Spoor, center, and camera inventor P. John Berggren look over new movie equipment, circa 1921. Spoor co-founded Essanay Studios in Chicago. (Chicago Tribune archive)

The Essanay Film Manufacturing Company advertised in the Chicago Daily Tribune on Feb. 7, 1909. (Chicago Tribune)

Mr. Dippy is portrayed by Charles Stine, right, and Dolores Cassenelli plays Miss Fascination in the silent comedy “Mr. Dippy Dipped,” released by Essanay Film Manufacturing Company in 1913. (Chicago American archive)

Ruth Stonehouse, at bottom, James Carrol, center, and E.H. Calvert, right, appear in Essanay Studios' "World Above." The actor at left is not identified. (Chicago American archive)

Francis X. Bushman, center, as a Secret Service agent, glares as actress Beverly Bayne, right, playing a spy, points a scornful finger at the matinee idol in “The Accounting,” released in 1915 by Essanay Studios. (George K. Spoor/Essanay)

Ben Turpin, left, who made several films with Essanay Studios in Chicago, appears with fellow actor Julanne Johnston in an undated photo. (Chicago Herald and Examiner)

George K. Spoor, left, co-founder of Essanay Studios, appears with actress Betty Byron and John Berggren, inventor of a new type of motion picture machine, circa 1925. Byron was appearing in the musical "Rose-Marie" at the Woods Theater at the time. (Chicago Herald and Examiner)

The Essanay Film Manufacturing Company advertised in the Chicago Daily Tribune on Nov. 16, 1910. (Chicago Tribune)

Gilbert Anderson, one of the co-founders of Essanay Studios in Chicago, often appeared in films as "Broncho Billy." (Chicago Tribune archive)

Actor Charlie Chaplin in Chicago, circa 1926. Chaplin signed on with Chicago's Essanay Film Manufacturing Company in 1914. (Chicago Herald and Examiner)

A scene from an old Essanay film shows Sydney Aynsworth, E.H. Calvert and Bryant Washburn. (Chicago American archive)

Billy Mason thumps, Wallace Beery swings, Ruth Hennessey is aghast and Charles Stine watches in "Dreamy," from Essanay Studios. (Chicago American archives)

Actress Alice Brady arrives in Chicago in an undated photo. Brady filmed "A Dark Lantern," released in 1920, at Essanay Studios in Chicago. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

"The Amateur Prodigal," a melodrama, featured Ruth Stonehouse, Helen Dunbar and Joe Totten for Essanay Studios. (Chicago American archive)