Web Extra: Thunder Maker
Clip: 6/18/2014 | 25s
The Auditorium Theatre’s old secret for special effects is its thunder maker.
For our intrepid web viewers: the Auditorium Theatre’s old secret for special effects: the thunder maker! According to Tim Samuelson, this contraption was used to create a thunder effect during the Chicago Opera Company days of the Auditorium. A stagehand would climb a steep ladder with a bowling ball and drop it down the chute at the top, making a rumbling noise.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Chicago Tonight is a local public television program presented by WTTW
WTTW video streaming support provided by members and sponsors.
Web Extra: Thunder Maker
Clip: 6/18/2014 | 25s
For our intrepid web viewers: the Auditorium Theatre’s old secret for special effects: the thunder maker! According to Tim Samuelson, this contraption was used to create a thunder effect during the Chicago Opera Company days of the Auditorium. A stagehand would climb a steep ladder with a bowling ball and drop it down the chute at the top, making a rumbling noise.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Chicago Tonight
Chicago Tonight is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
WTTW News Explains
In this Emmy Award-winning series, WTTW News tackles your questions — big and small — about life in the Chicago area. Our video animations guide you through local government, city history, public utilities and everything in between.Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Video has Closed Captions
We meet a group of dancers who prove that breakdance and Johann Sebastian Bach can work. (10m 17s)
June 19, 2014 - Ask Geoffrey 6/19
Video has Closed Captions
Geoffrey Baer turns the lights on at the Auditorium Theatre & more. (9m 47s)
Poll Shows Voters Favor Lower Taxes
Video has Closed Captions
Despite a cash-strapped state, voters in Illinois favor letting the 2011 income tax expire (10m 22s)
Providing Mental Health Care to Children
Video has Closed Captions
We hear from health care providers about the mental health needs of children. (4m 13s)
Supreme Court Ruling Breakdown
Video has Closed Captions
The Supreme Court is scheduled to rule on a number of cases with far-reaching implications (13m 32s)
Video has Closed Captions
We share what you had to say about recent stories when read some of our viewer feedback. (1m 38s)
Web Extra: Mental Health Interview
We spoke with Bechara Choucair, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. (3m 49s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
- News and Public Affairs
Top journalists deliver compelling original analysis of the hour's headlines.
- News and Public Affairs
FRONTLINE is investigative journalism that questions, explains and changes our world.
Support for PBS provided by:
Chicago Tonight is a local public television program presented by WTTW
WTTW video streaming support provided by members and sponsors.