We begin with a montage of shots taken outside the Star Theatre in Hollywood, CA
- Announcer: Hollywood. Thousands of fans jam the streets for blocks and greet their favorite screen stars with tumultuous applause, as world-renowned celebrities attend these brilliant occasions to pay tribute to the screen's mightiest achievement. (We then see various shots of the stars inside the building) Here is Alice Faye with Joseph M. Schenck and Gregory Ratoff. Mr. and Mrs. Jean Hersholt. Don Ameche. Victor McLaglen. June Lang. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Fairbanks. The Jones family. Janet Gaynor. Henry King. Constance Bennett. Burns and Allen with Jack Haley. Andy Devine. Joan Davis. Joe Penner. Annabella. Darryl F. Zanuck. Alice Brady. Warner Baxter. Loretta Young. Tyrone Power. Alice Faye and Tony Martin. (Cut to film footage) And now, 20th Century-Fox presents In Old Chicago! Tyrone Power is seen as Dion O'Leary. (A star zooms in for the next two transitions to a different actor) Alice Faye as Belle Fawcett. Don Ameche as Jack O'Leary. (Pan up to reveal...) Alice Brady as Molly O'Leary. (A circle transition reveals...) Andy Devine as Pickle Bixby. (Swipe up to reveal...) Brian Donlevy as Gil Warren. (Swipe downward to reveal...) Phyllis Brooks as Ann Colby. (Four squares pan out to reveal a final shot) And a supporting cast of thousands.
The screen then sweeps in both directions, and dialogue scenes play.
- Jack: You see, Ma, the fellow only makes $10 a week and he's got a wife and a family.
- Dion: $10 a week? That's just $10 more than what you make!
- Jack: I couldn't take his money, could I, Ma?
- Molly: I give up. I've got one son that steals my laundry and spends his money heaven knows where, another a lawyer that wins cases and don't get paid for them.
Next scene, with Belle and Dion in the back of a wagon
- Belle: Are you crazy?! You CRAZY!
- Dion: Baby... well, I was sane enough until tonight. Then I heard you sing, and something happened to me. Something swept over me that I never felt before or...ever expect to feel again.
- Belle: What are you talking about?
- Dion: I'm in love with you, Belle.
Next scene, with Belle and the O'Leary brothers in court
- Jack: You all seem funny. You and Diane on one side, and me on the other, fighting each other. (Laughs) When we were kids, we were always fighting.
- Belle: Well, I bet if any other Irishes tried to horn in, it was the O'Learys against the world.
- Jack: Oh, you said it.
Next scene, back at home
- Jack: I met Ms. Fawcet, she's a fine woman. You oughta know her, Ma.
- Molly: Hmmm. I will not. And hell, what can I saloon like any hussy? (May not be actual line)
- Dion: Oh, that's not fair, Ma. We're living in modern times.
- Jack: That's right.
- Dion: Things have changed since you were a girl. Don't forget, this is 1870.
- Molly: Well, times may have changed, but I haven't changed. (Jack walks away) And I don't want any daughter-in-law that's the talk of the town and kicking her heels in the air for everyone to see!
Next scene, with a goat bumping a cow, who soon knocks over an oil lamp; thus, the Chicago fire of 1870 ensues
- Announcer: History lives again, as one of the greatest disasters of all time becomes the screen's most memorable achievement. Here truly is mighty entertainment. 22 months in the making, at a cost of over $2 million. Magnificently produced by Darryl F. Zanuck, and superbly directed by Henry King...In Old Chicago is destined to leave a lasting mark in the motion picture hall of fame.
Over more shots of the fire, these titles are shown: "And now this great entertainment," "in its full-length road show version...," "_comes to you at popular prices!," and over the last shot, a combination of the film's title, "A DARRYL F. ZANUCK PRODUCTION," "DIRECTED BY HENRY KING," and the 20th Century-Fox logo of the time.