Film Review: Top Gun

On May 16, 1986, Chicago Tribune film critic Gene Siskel offered his thoughts on the film ‘Top Gun’. He praised the aerial sequences but criticized the romance element between Pete Mitchell, played by Tom Cruise, and Charlotte Blackwood, portrayed by Kelly McGillis, as lacking authenticity. Siskel anticipated the film’s commercial success and awarded it 3 out of 4 stars, noting the thrilling nature of the aerial sequences.

Weather Records

According to the National Weather Service, Chicago experienced a high temperature of 94 degrees on May 16, 1962. The lowest temperature recorded was 33 degrees in 1997. In 1974, precipitation reached 1.38 inches, and in 2019, there was a trace of snowfall.

Union Station Opening

In 1925, Chicago’s Union Station opened along the Chicago River. At its debut, Union Station was celebrated as a significant achievement in American railroading. The concourse building was positioned in the foreground with the Union Station office building and main waiting room visible behind it.

Ben Hecht’s Oscar Recognition

Renowned writer Ben Hecht was awarded an Oscar in 1929 for Distinguished Achievement in Writing the Original Story for the 1927 film ‘Underworld’. The Oscars were not known by that name until later years. Hecht’s simple script for the silent film consisted of only 18 pages. His Oscar, crafted in Chicago, now resides at the Newberry Library as its most requested artifact, accessible to those with a library card.

Carlton Fisk’s Athletic Achievement

On May 16, 1984, Chicago White Sox catcher Carlton Fisk broke a slump by hitting for the cycle in a game against the Kansas City Royals, making him the third player in the franchise to achieve this feat. Referring to a previous exhaustive game that month, Fisk noted it had impacted his performance.

Michael Jordan: NBA Rookie of the Year

In 1985, Michael Jordan earned the NBA Rookie of the Year title after achieving an average of 28.2 points across all 82 games. He accepted the award the following month, commenting on the unprecedented attention his rookie season attracted.

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