John Ur leads us through some of the funniest films of Illinois on his latest stop on the Cinematic Road Trip.
Well friends, it’s been a long strange trip through the Midwest. We’ve twisted and turned our way through the agricultural heartland of America, and I’m not shy to say I’m glad it’s over. There are only so many words in my limited vocabulary for farm and corn. Sure, these large, loosely populated states have some nice qualities to offer, but those qualities usually do not include an abundance of films set and shot inside their borders. I am very excited, for that reason, to come today to Illinois. Illinois is the most average state in the country. Seriously. It was measured! So it would stand to reason that I would find the most American films on this most American road trip in the most American of states. Right?
By virtue of having the third largest city in the country by population, Illinois enjoys a vibrant filmmaking industry. Chicago also happens to be blessed with a large contingent of iconic buildings which makes shooting a “Chicago” film outside of the city a difficult task. And yet, some of the most memorable Illinois films are actually filmed in the city's outer-lying suburbs, thanks largely in part to the work of John Hughes. Hughes was born in Michigan but grew up in Illinois and set many of his now-famous cult films in the suburbs, though often adding a subtle sprinkling of Chicago spice.
Sixteen Candles, Weird Science and The Breakfast Club (all Brat Pack movies) made Hughes a star writer-director. Each was set in Chicago suburbs—Evanston (Sixteen Candles), and Northbrook (Weird Science and The Breakfast Club). (Pretty in Pink, another Hughes classic, was set in nearby Elgin, but it was actually shot in Los Angeles.) But Hughes’ most financially successful film, and arguably his most famous, is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Besides highlighting some of the same suburbs seen in his previous movies, Hughes takes us on a jaunt through downtown Chicago while we play hookie with Ferris. You can see some famous tourist spots during these scenes: The Art Institute of Chicago, the Sears Tower, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and Wrigley Field.
A fair and balanced look at the filming of Illinois would include talk about other genres besides the comedies of John Hughes. This view would likely encompass Batman Begins, The Color of Money, The Fugitive, and The Untouchables among others. But I’m not much for being fair or balanced (must be a genetic thing). I’m not a big comedy fan in general, so when one state happens to present a few of my favorites, you can be sure I’m going to call them out.
Wayne’s World (1992) is one of two movies that my sister and I can recite almost line for line even now, more than 15 years after it was released. The other is The Blues Brothers (1980). Both were shot in Chicago and the immediate vicinity. Both star Saturday Night Live alums (Mike Myers and Dana Carvey in Wayne’s World; John Belushi and Dan Akroyd as The Blues Brothers). Both are about buddies on an adventure, one set seeking TV stardom the other two “on a mission from God.”
In Wayne’s World, friends Wayne and Garth are stars
of their own local public access TV show and dream about making it big. They live in Aurora,
Illinois, a suburb 40 miles from Chicago.
They play street hockey in front of Wayne’s house, “Car!! Game On!”
They ride around the town banging heads to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”
and eating at the local doughnut shop. You might have noticed the large
statue (Art piece? Rubbish?) of junk cars on a giant spindle (called The Spindle). Formerly in Berwyn, Illinois, it’s since been demolished.
Stan Mikita’s doughnut shop? Doesn’t exist. The Chicago gift shop with the
Indian on the roof? Still there at 63rd and Pulaski Road in Chicago.
I know you’ve seen The Blues Brothers (if not, repent,
sinner, and get ye a copy!) so I’ll save you a breakdown of the film’s
premise. This film is in my top five all-time favorites not because of
sophisticated production values (many films have been better put
together), nor strictly for its sense of humor (other films tend to be
more laugh-out-loud funny), and not even for its music (which happens
to be spectacular). No, this film is important to me for two reasons.
The first reason is family. My father introduced this movie to me at
a young age. It wasn’t long before my sister and I were singing and
dancing along to Aretha Franklin and quoting dialogue (“Orange Whip? Orange Whip?
Three Orange Whips.”) The second reason is the chase scene: the most
over-the-top chase scene in the history of chase scenes. Some people
prefer The French Connection—racing under the elevated roads of NYC.
Others would vote for Bullitt—flying over the hills of San Francisco. But both
of those movies take themselves far too seriously.
The Blues Brothers chase scene is so famous, I had the opening lines of it on a poster hanging in my college dorm: “It’s 106 miles to Chicago. We got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes. It’s dark out and we’re wearing sunglasses. Hit it!” And off Jake and Elwood race, trying to lose the cast of characters tailing them: the Good Ol’ Boys in their Winnebago, the Nazis, and then the police.
Oh, the police. They seem to multiply like Agent Smith in The
Matrix—and they are completely inept at driving. Here they are lining
up a roadblock (at the 23rd St Bridge at Lake Shore Drive). There
they’re speeding along Lower Wacker Drive (south end near Van Buren) in
Chi-town. Call out the SWAT team as the Brothers zip across Richard J. Daley Plaza (on Washington St.). And just as they reach the Cook
County Building (on N. Clark St.) and pay Steven Spielberg (in a cameo
as the tax collector), slap, on with the handcuffs. The boys end up in the slammer jammin' to "Jailhouse Rock" as the credits roll.
I’m not much for religion but if there are some comedies to be
worshipped, they’re coming out of Illinois. The state might only
measure out at being average, but it’s comedic output is most excellent.
Also Recommended: Eight Men Out, High Fidelity, The Hudsucker Proxy, North by Northwest, The Sting, Stranger Than Fiction.
Read More: Check out the Illinois Film Office website for a complete list of films shot in the state. And for lists of films shot (and currently shooting) in Chicago, visit their film office site. Check out all of John's past stops on the Cinematic Road Trip here.
Photos: Above, the Chicago skyline, by Fikret Onal via the Intelligent Travel Flickr pool; Below, by John Ur.
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"I hate Illinois Nazis!" -hahaha- another great quote from Blues Brothers
BTW, Blues Brothers has THE greatest chase scene in film EVER! I don't care what anyone thinks-they are wrong!
Also, you could have talked more about Wayne's World because it's awesome. If you write about Wisconsin, talk about their trip to Milwaukee to see Alice Cooper-"it's Algonquin for the good land"
Scuse me, I'd like to get by now.
Thank you John, for this wonderful article.
And for mentioning the Spielberg cameo. The first time I saw the movie I thought "this chase scene is so amazing and crazy that the end of it will probably be a letdown". Then he showed up.
And regarding Ferris, who wouldn't want to tear around Chicago in a hot stolen sports car to the tune of the Star Wars main title? :)
How does this whole blog thing work? All I wanted to state was that It is one of the best cities in the US. Beautiful place and great architecture.
Nice blog with so much infos :-) I like it! Greetings, Niki
I agree that this is a great blog! Chicago is the most beautiful city and the best movies of all time have came from there.
the photo session by ngc is very fantastic can u send me all photos