When talking about classic comedy musical films, how can someone miss out on the 1980 American movie, The Blues Brothers? The movie is a cult classic and is one of the most popular movies in the comedy musical genre. Because of its popularity, fans always want to know about this cult classic and which includes “The Blues Brothers” filming locations. The American filmmaker, John Landis, directed this movie. Whereas Dan Aykroyd wrote the screenplay for the movie, but Landis had to rewrite the screenplay because of Aykroyd’s unsatisfying script. The movie stars John Belushi in the lead role. Further, Aykroyd not only wrote the screenplay but also portrayed the second lead role in the movie. Being a musical, the movie featured the works of greater musicians like James Brown, Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Chaka Khan, and John Lee Hooker.
This comedy musical movie came out on June 20, 1980. The film became a box office hit, as it collected $115.2 million on a budget of only $30 million. The film was also one of the most expensive comedy movies in history. Because of the script or Belushi’s drug addiction and partying, the shooting got delayed many times. The fans and critics praised the movie for its direction, actors’ performances, and especially the music. But aside from the performance, fans also loved the locations in the movie. Therefore, we will tell you about The Blues Brothers filming locations.
What Are The Blues Brothers Filming Locations?
Most of the shooting for “The Blues Brothers” takes place in Chicago. This city is one of the largest cities in the United States. Undoubtedly, Chicago is a favorite location for Hollywood filmmakers to shoot their movies. There are speculations that over two hundred movies have been shot in the City of Chicago. Further, the makers of the movie even said that Chicago was not only “The Blues Brothers” filming location but also a star in this movie. However, most of the places shown in the movie are no longer there in Chicago. Also, a few scenes were shot in Milwaukee and Hollywood.
In the opening scene where we see Jake coming out from the prison, and that scene was shot at Joliet Correctional Center. This is a prison in Joliet, Illinois, but the prison was shut down in 2002. The infamous mall chase scene in this cult classic movie takes place in a now-closed down Dixie Square Mall. The bridge jump at the starting few minutes of this movie takes place at the 95th Street Bridge, which is a drawbridge over Calumet River in southeast Chicago.
The Palace Hotel Ballroom, where we see the Blues brothers performing their major gig, was shot in a country club called South Shore Country Club. However, the country club doesn’t exist anymore as it became a community center called South Shore Cultural Center. The church scene which we saw in the American musical is an actual church in Chicago, Pilgrim Baptist Church. This church is one of the very few locations from the movie which still exists. However, it underwent redevelopment, and thus, the church might look different now compared to the movie. The place where Jake confronts his ex-fiancee is a replica of a section of the abandoned Chicago freight tunnel system.
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What Is The Plot Of This Comedy Musical Film?
The 1980 cult classic comedy musical revolves around two brothers, Jake “Joliet Jake” Blues and Elwood J. Blues. Elwood picks up Jake from prison, who served three years there. The Blues brothers then visit the orphanage where they grew up. But the sister working there informs the brothers that the orphanage will shut down soon. To stop it from happening, someone needs to pay the property tax of $5000. The brothers decide to restart their band and raise funds for the orphanage. However, the brothers get into trouble as Elwood was driving on an expired license. But that was not all for them, as a mysterious woman also tries to kill them.
The Blues brothers look for their former band members and get them to join the band again. Although, they got into some trouble while recruiting them as Elwood ran through an American Nazi Party demonstration. Further, the band performed in a local club which angers the band Good Ol’ Boys. Because they were supposed to perform there and not Blues brothers’ band. Also, the Blues Brothers and their band members soon realize that they need a major gig to raise the funds required to protect the orphanage. So, with the help of their former agent, they get a major gig at Palace Hotel Ballroom.
The band connects a loudspeaker on top of their car and promotes their concert throughout the city. However, they also attract the police, the Nazis, and the Good Ol’ Boys, who were chasing them. They attend the concert along with a vast audience to catch the Blues brothers and their band. However, the brothers’ concert became an enormous hit, and even a record company offers a recording contract along with $10000 in advance. The band members escape from a service tunnel after accepting the recording contract. But they encounter the mysterious woman in the tunnel. The woman turns out to be Jake’s vengeful ex-fiance, whom Jake fools with a lame excuse to escape.
While on their way back to Chicago to protect the orphanage, the police, along with the Nazis and the Good Ol’ Boys, were chasing the Blue brothers and their band. Although, they get rid of the Nazis and the Good Ol’ Boys with some unbelievable stunts. The band members eventually reach the City Hall and pay the property tax. Therefore, the orphanage won’t shut down. But soon after paying the tax, hundreds of cops arrive there and arrest the band. Later, the band plays songs for their inmates in prison.
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Who Are The Cast Of The Blues Brothers?
The movie features John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as Jake and Elwood Blues. Further, “The Blues Brothers” also features Ray Charles as Ray, a blind music instrument dealer, and Carrie Fisher as Jake’s vengeful ex-fiancee. Actors and Musicians like Steve “The Colonel” Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Murphy Dunne, Willie “Too Big” Hall, Tom “Bones” Malone, “Blue Lou” Marini, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, and “Mr Fabulous” Alan Rubin portrays the character of the Blues brother’s bandmates. The 1980 American cult classic also features talented performers like Cab Calloway, James Brown, Henry Gibson, and John Candy.
Where To Watch The Blues Brothers?
The American cult classic comedy musical, The Blues Brothers, is available on Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. However, the audience might require having a paid subscription to enjoy the crazy and musical adventures of the Blues Brothers.
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