One time I had an out-of-town visitor and he asked me “What is unique about Chicago?” My response was – “Have you ever seen the movie the Blues Brothers?” He said no, and I asked random bar patrons as they passed by how many times they’d seen the movie, and the answers ranged from 3 to 10+ times each.
I was out for dinner near Division street on Saturday night and we saw these guys in their Blues Brothers mobile, with the Jake / Elwood license plates, to boot (but not the megaphone on the roof).
Then on Sunday when I was walking through the Loop I saw piles of police cars wrecked and stacked up and blocked off with police tape (for a movie set, I am assuming). These cars definitely reminded me of what remained after the famous Blues Brothers chase through downtown Chicago.
Maybe it’s just coincidence but a bit eerie.
Cross posted at LITGM
I loved that movie and own the DVD. Such great music too. Brings back a fond Blues Brothers memory of my own. Back in 1984 on Halloween night, my husband and I were walking in downtown Belmont Shore, Long Beach, California. We were dressed as the Blues Brothers (I was John Belushi) and as we approached a bar on 2nd Street, we heard the Peter Gunn theme playing so we couldn’t resist the opportunity to step inside. The patrons were blown away to see us and people clapped. It was really a funny coincidence that’ll I will never forget!
“We’re on a mission….from God”
I have heard – on the special features of the DvD – from a real accomplished musician in the movie (don’t have his name at the moment) – but Belushi was so good he could have toured as a pro.
Which reminds me – gotta find it in Blu-Ray.
My second favourite film of all times, the first being Animal House. My 15 y.o. Amstaff is named Bluto and his APBT wifey – who left us last November, after more than 14 years together – was named Toga.
The Blues Brothers, I think, it’s not just a movie: it could be described as a manifesto. Blues/Soul music, soul food and driving with shades on. Love it.
“The Good Ole Boys”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4sh4KzFfPs
So many great scenes in that movie – the one where Jake sweet talks Carrie Fisher with the bazooka – she falls for him – and he then drops her in the mud (or worse)- but my favorite – well, 2 – the neo Nazi is falling 1000s of feet in the Pinto to the sound of Ride of the Valkries and Jake and Elwood – being chased by the IL national Guard and all the Chicago Police, are riding up the City Hall elevator listening to Muzak (which I am told Vets use to tranquilize animals)
Nazis – I hate Nazis!
@Bill – I hate Illinois Nazis get it right.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ukFAvYP3UU
New Oldsmobiles are in early this year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIdGxR-aU6o
Elwood: What kind of music do you usually have here?
Claire: Oh, we got both kinds. We got country *and* western.
Four fried chickens and a coke.
I have always loved that movie and have seen it no less 25 times I am guessing. I still laugh at it. It is everything I like. It has great music, excellent chase scenes, it is politically incorrect and shows scenes of the City. The direction and cinematography of the movie is fantastic as well.
It’s got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it’s got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. It’s a model made before catalytic converters so it’ll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?
I am getting the Blu-Ray version tomorrow. Listening to Dan’s YouTube videos I realized that to see it properly you should have a full sound system with the HDTV, but the Blue-ray will have to suffice!
Elwood: It’s 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark… and we’re wearing sunglasses.
Jake: Hit it.
Nice comments Bill Brandt! As someone who is very familiar with the Blues Brothers I thought I might add that the elevator scene took the Boys to the Tax office. The song playing was The Girl from Ipanema, and the tax assessor was Steven Spielberg’s cameo …
@Wires – as I type I am watching them on Blu-Ray – right after their miraculous conversion in James Brown’s church!
I am thinking how spectacular this would be listening through a home entertainment system – you know, thropugh those those tiny cube speakers that just project the sound?
You really know your Blues Brother’s trivia! I will keep an eye out for that assessor!
Perhaps because I have never lived in Chicago, I saw the movie only once- though I greatly enjoyed it. I need to see it again.
@Wires – you are right about Seven Spielberg – here is also some strange trivia picked up on imdb:
“During filming one of the night scenes, John Belushi disappeared and could not be located. Dan Aykroyd looked around and saw a single house with its lights on. He went to the house and was prepared to identify himself, the movie and that they were looking for John Belushi. But before he could, the homeowner looked at him, smiled and said, “You’re here for John Belushi, aren’t you?” The homeowner then told them Belushi had entered their house, asked if he could have a glass of milk and a sandwich and then crashed on their couch. Situations like this prompted Aykroyd to affectionately dub Belushi “America’s Guest”.
Another funny scene I had forgotten about – Twiggy waiting at the Motel for Elwood!