The Chicagoist will be launching later but in the meantime please enjoy our archives.

First Shots: Chicago Holiday Window Displays Of Yesteryear

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 14, 2012 2:30PM

2012_12_14_morningdiversion.jpg

One aspect of the transition of Marshall Field's to Macy's that remained in place are the holiday window displays and the scores of shoppers they attract to downtown. (Even if Macy's has done a bit of whitewashing with their involvement in the window displays' history.)

For those of you who can't even look at today's window displays without hissing "fucking Macy's" under your breath, consider this video of classic holiday displays at Chicago department stores from the 1950s through the 1970s an early Christmas present.

Then let your Grinchy hearts grown three times too big and enjoy today's displays.

Video Courtesy Chicago Film Archives.