Skyline: Chicago 3--Michigan Avenue: From Museums To the Magnificent Mile

During the Roaring Twenties, one of the mansions along Chicago's North Michigan Avenue boasted a fairly unusual, but no doubt popular amenity: the three spigot sink--one tap for cold water, another for hot water, and the last for sparkling champagne. One of a five-part series examining the architecture and history of Chicago's skyline, this nicely shot volume chronicles the evolution of Michigan Avenue as a cultural antidote to Chicago's predominantly working-class atmosphere (which, thanks to the slaughterhouses, was also a little gamey). Combining interviews, old maps, and contemporary footage, the program traces the development of Michigan Avenue which began on paper in 1836, eventually launching Chicago on the road to respectability with its museums, civic auditorium, lakefront park, and public library. Although it would later lose some ground to the prodigious debris brought about by an easement to the railroad company, the architecturally stunning street rebounded and continues to this day to offer delights for the mind and eye of native and tourist alike. An accompanying guide offers more information on each of the buildings profiled on the video. Other parts in the series include: Chicago's Riverfront, The Loop, The Lakefront and Chicago: A City of Neighborhoods. Although too detailed for general travel collections, Skyline: Chicago is recommended for larger travel collections and students of 19th and 20th century American architecture. (R. Pitman)