Chicago in Film

Submitted by P Pogo on Mon, 10/17/2005 - 04:25
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  2. Movies set in, or with major scenes in, the city of Chicago.
  5. About Last Night... (1986)
  6. David Mamet script about singles bars featuring Brat Packers (as well as Jim Belushi).
  8. Adventures in Babysitting (1987)
  9. Elizabeth Shue (post-Karate Kid, pre-Cocktail) takes a babysitting gig. Problems arise.
  11. Baby's Day Out % (1994)
  12. John Hughes strikes again, this time aiming for an ever younger audience. Slapstick + babies = cutesy disaster.
  14. Backdraft (1991)
  15. The point in history where we understood there were Too Many Baldwins. Good stuntwork and a great band (the Drovers) in a bar scene.
  17. Bad Boys (1983)
  18. Juvie-flick in which Sean Penn tried to distance himself from being typecast as Jeff Spicoli.
  20. Barbershop (2002) and Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004)
  21. Ice Cube and Cedric the Entertainer cut heads on the South Side.
  23. Batman Begins (2005)
  24. Quite a bit of Batmobile driving scenes closed off Lower Wacker Dr. completely.
  26. The Big Town $ (1987)
  27. Matt Dillon and Diane Lane as well as a suprisingly good cast in cheesy gambling story. One of several uses of Toronto being made to resemble Chicago.
  29. Blues Brothers (1980) and the regrettable Blues Brothers 2000 $ (1998)
  30. The first movie features some amazing show-stopping numbers by blues and soul perfomers. The second features John Goodman instead of John Belushi.
  32. The Break Up (2006)
  33. Or, the film shoot where local paparazzi trailed Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn around to every restaurant and club.
  35. The Breakfast Club % (1985)
  36. Brat Packers in detention.
  38. Brian's Song (1971)
  39. or, the Movie that Makes Football Fans Cry. James Caan and Billy Dee Williams go all Love Story on us.
  41. Butterfly on a Wheel $ (2007?)
  42. Exteriors in Chicago, the rest in Vancouver. Stars Pierce Brosnan, Maria Bello and Gerard Butler.
  44. Call Northside 777 (1948)
  45. Reporter (James Stewart) tries to help out a man done wrong. One of the first Hollywood movies ever shot in Chicago.
  47. Candyman (1992)
  48. The notorious housing projects of Cabrini-Green are haunted. Local girl Virginia Madsen tries to solve the mystery.
  50. Chicago $ (2002)
  51. Dancing, killing, and loads of Oscars. But none of it is actually Chicago - it's all Toronto.
  53. Chicago Cab (1998)
  54. Another good film for actual locations. Based on a popular local play, Hellcab.
  56. Class (1983)
  57. Coming of age story featuring Andrew McCarthy and Rob Lowe and Northwestern University.
  59. Code of Silence (1985)
  60. Chuck Norris kicks some booty while tracking down drug dealers.
  62. The Company (2003)
  63. Altman ensemble film starring Neve Campbell and the Chicago-based Joffrey Ballet.
  65. Cooley High (1975)
  66. An urban American Graffiti, the basis for TV's "What's Happening?" Also featured Freddie Boom-Boom Washington (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs) from "Welcome Back Kotter".
  68. Curly Sue % (1991)
  69. I know next to nothing about this movie, except that John Hughes is responsible for it. However, it was Steve Carell's first film role.
  71. The Dark Knight (2008)
  72. or, Rory's First Kiss, the fake title it is listed under on the Chicago Film Office page. Christopher Nolan is currently filming in the old Chicago Post Office, and have erected a large sign which reads "Gotham National Bank" on the side of the building.
  74. Death of a President (D.O.A.P.) (2006)
  75. Imagines the assassination of President GW Bush in Chicago. Fairly controversial, as you might imagine.
  77. Dennis the Menace % (1993)
  78. Walter Matthau plays Mr. Wilson. John Hughes brings in Hollywood money to the city.
  80. Derailed (2005)
  81. Clive Owen and Jennifer Aniston ride this one off the rails.
  83. Doctor Detroit (1983)
  84. The answer to the trivia question "What did Dan Aykroyd do after John Belushi died?" Not in the same league as Trading Places or Ghostbusters.
  86. Drunkboat (releasing 2007?)
  87. Stars local boy John Malkovich and John Goodman. Filmed in Morton Grove and on the Amstutz Expressway in Waukegan - "the road to nowhere" - which was also featured in the original Blues Brothers, Groundhog Day and Batman Begins.
  89. Eagle Eye (2008)
  90. Shia LeBeauf and Michelle Monaghan in a thriller involving terrorists. The filmmakers were shooting scenes on and around the Sheridan El stop. Which can only mean that terrorists will be threatening to blow up an El train.
  92. Eight Men Out (1988)
  93. The story of Shoeless Joe Jackson and the Black Sox. Features director John Sayles and local columnist/radio personality/author Studs Turkel as reporters covering the scandal.
  95. The Express (2009)
  96. Filmed at Lane Tech High School on Addison (disguised as Syracuse University). It's the story of Ernie Davis, the first African-American to receive the Heisman trophy. It really should have been Jim Brown in '56 (instead of Paul Hornung who was the star player of a 2-8 Notre Dame team), but that's a completely different story.
  98. Ferris Bueller's Day Off % (1986)
  99. or, My Love Affair with the City of Chicago by John Hughes.
  101. Flags of Our Fathers (2006)
  102. Clint Eastwood takes on the Iwo Jima story, and according to iMDB, shot some footage at the Drake Hotel.
  104. Fred Claus (2007)
  105. Hometown boy Vince Vaughn again uses Chicago as a backdrop. Co-stars Paul Giammati and Kevin Spacey in a new-fangled holiday "classic".
  107. The Fugitive (1993)
  108. Harrison Ford chases a one-armed man through Cook County Hospital, the St. Patrick's Day Parade and atop the Hilton and Towers.
  110. The Fury (1974)
  111. Water Tower Place, North Avenue Beach and the Old Chicago Amusement Park in Bolingbrook are featured in this Brian De Palma thriller.
  113. Grace is Gone (2007?)
  114. Featured at Sundance 2007, this stars John Cusack dealing with loss during the Iraq war. According to the iMDB boards, they were shooting this all over the suburbs (Wilmette, Niles, Itasca, Elmhurst, LaGrange, Westmont, Carol Stream). It's a huge area to cover and location scouting must have been immense. Of course, locals here will bend over backwards for a Cusack project.
  116. High Fidelity (2000)
  117. John Cusack explores music and relationships in Wicker Park. Features the Double Door and Green Mill, two local clubs.
  119. His Girl Friday (1940)
  120. Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell fight for a story for their Chicago newspaper. Filmed in Burbank, though.
  122. Home Alone(1990), Home Alone 2 (1992) and Home Alone 3 % (1997)
  123. Macauley Culkin eventually outgrew the John Hughes formula. Too bad JH didn't.
  125. Hoop Dreams (1994)
  126. Documentary about big dreams in inner-city youth. The main characters play basketball at a Catholic high school in suburban Westchester.
  128. The Horsemen $ (2008)
  129. Thriller featuring Dennis Quaid shot in Winnipeg except for exteriors.
  131. The Hunter (1980)
  132. Most famous for being Steve McQueen's final film, and for the scene where a car is driven off of the Marina City condos into the Chicago River.
  134. I Love Trouble (1994)
  135. Ooh, here's one that should have never made it to the screen: Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte as deuling newspaper reporters who become romantically involved.
  137. The In-Laws $ (2003)
  138. No, not the Arkin/Falk classic, the remake with Albert Brooks and Michael Douglas. The two leads parachute from the top of the John Hancock building, but most of the actual locations are substituted with Canadian ones.
  140. John Q $ (2002)
  141. Denzel Washington rails against the injustices of healthcare. Too bad it's really Toronto.
  143. The Lake House (2006)
  144. Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock in a remake of the Korean Il Mare.
  146. Let's Go to Prison (2006)
  147. Filmed primarily at the prison in Joliet. Directed by Bob Odenkirk, Will Arnett and Dax Shepard.
  149. Lucas (1986)
  150. Corey Haim overcomes obstacles and plays football at Glenbard West in Glen Ellyn.
  152. Mad Dog and Glory (1993)
  153. Flip-casting hometown boy Bill Murray as the mobster and Robert DeNiro as the wimp was the most engaging thing about this film, shot by another local, John McNaughton.
  155. Medium Cool (1969)
  156. Documentary-style drama includes some footage from the protests and violence surrounding the 1968 Democratic Convention.
  158. The Merry Gentleman (2008)
  159. Currently filming. Michael Keaton is directing, Kelly MacDonald is starring. They've shot in the city and downstate in Kankakee.
  161. My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)
  162. Julia Roberts chased Dermot Mulroney all over the city including into Union Station.
  164. My Big Fat Greek Wedding $ (2002)
  165. Nia Vardalos' Greek family runs a restaurant in the city. But a lot of the movie is actually filmed in Canada.
  167. My Bodyguard (1980)
  168. Chris Makepeace finally stands his ground in Lincoln Park.
  170. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation % (1989)
  171. Yes, the Griswolds are from this area, too. Here they act foolish at home.
  173. A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon (1988)
  174. Completely forgettable had it not starred River Phoenix (and of course, not been filmed in Chicago).
  176. Nothing in Common (1986)
  177. Tom Hanks got serious for the first time in this role.
  179. Ocean's Eleven (2001) and Ocean's Twelve (2004)
  180. The first movie consisted of one sequence of Matt Damon picking pockets on the El, and drinking at Emmit's Bar. The second film had almost the entire cast being filmed in and around the city and northern suburbs, much to the delight of local media and females.
  182. On the Line $ (2001)
  183. Or, the Joey Fatone (of N*SYNC fame) vehicle. Here's one that I thank God was mostly done in Canada.
  185. Only the Lonely % (1991)
  186. Underrated flick starring John Candy as a Chicago cop and Maureen O'Hara as his overbearing mother. Produced by John Hughes.
  188. Ordinary People (1980)
  189. The Best Picture winner (over Raging Bull and Coal Miner's Daughter) was filmed all over the northern suburbs.
  191. Osso Bucco (2007)
  192. Indie mobster feature starring character actor Mike Starr and Ileana Douglas.
  194. Planes, Trains and Automobiles % (1987)
  195. Steve Martin tries to get home to the Chicago burbs for Thanksgiving.
  197. Primal Fear (1996)
  198. Richard Gere and Edward Norton go all courtroom and jail cell. Very overrated Norton performance.
  200. The Promotion (formerly titled Quebec) (2008)
  201. In an ironic move, a film with a Canadian location for a title is shooting in Chicago. Features John C. Reilly and Lili Taylor who both have Chicago connections, as well as Seann William Scott and Jenna Fischer. Shot around Hyde Park on the South Side. One location was Rainbow Cone, a local ice cream institution.
  203. Red Heat (1988)
  204. California's Gov. & According to Jim try their hands at the internationally-flavored cop buddy movie.
  206. Road to Perdition (2002)
  207. Paul Newman and Tom Hanks took over suburban Geneva and filmed some scenes in the city.
  209. Running Scared (1986)
  210. Here's a story that should have never worked. Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal as wise-cracking buddy Chicago cops. OK, so what do I know, this was a huge hit.
  212. She's Having a Baby % (1988)
  213. A Chicago film for your Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game. Nightclub Excalibur and northern suburban locations feature prominently in yet another John Hughes movie.
  215. Silver Streak (1976)
  216. A train runs into Chicago's fictional "Central" Station.
  218. Sixteen Candles % (1984)
  219. Another John Hughes movie set in fictional Shermer, Illinois. Shermer is actually a road that runs through the heart of Northbrook.
  221. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
  222. The El scenes were shot in Chicago, not NYC.
  224. The Sting (1973)
  225. Mostly shot in soundstages, but set in 1930s Chicago.
  227. Stolen Summer (2002)
  228. The movie chronicled in the original season of the HBO series "Project Greenlight", in which a first-time screenwriter in given the opportunity to direct his story.
  230. Straight Talk (1992)
  231. Dolly Parton, James Woods and talk radio. Um, all I know is it's set in Chicago.
  233. Stranger than Fiction (2006)
  234. Director Marc Forster (Finding Neverland, Monster's Ball) directs Will Ferrell in a surreal dramatic role a la Truman Show or Eternal Sunshine.
  236. The Time Traveler's Wife $ (2008)
  237. Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams star in the adaptation of Columbia College prof Audrey Niffenegger's best selling novel. At one time rumored to be a Pitt-Aniston movie before things fell apart. Filmed almost primarily in Toronto.
  239. The Untouchables (1987)
  240. Eliot Ness tries to take down Al Capone. The fabulous Mamet script contains the line "This town stinks like a whorehouse at low tide." The Potemkin/baby-carriage homage was set on a staircase inside Union Station.
  242. Wanted (2008)
  243. Graphic novel adaptation featuring James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie. Local artist Common has a role as the Gunsmith(?). Filmed primarily in the Czech Republic, but features some scenes in the Loop and west suburban Broadview.
  245. The Weather Man (2005)
  246. The film that chose not to film in Canada! I'll see it for this reason alone.
  248. Weird Science % (1985)
  249. Anthony Michael Hall gets hit by a slurpee in Northbrook Court Mall. And damn, that Danny Elfman can write a catchy, if silly, movie theme.
  251. Wicker Park (2004)
  252. Thriller named after and based in a hip NW-side neighborhood.
  254. Wildcats (1986)
  255. Goldie Hawn coaches a high school football team at Lane Tech HS on West Addison St.
  257. Witless Protection (2008)
  258. Who do we have to thank for this? Hometown-girl Jenny McCarthy brings Larry the Cable Guy to town as well as all over the suburbs. Includes a stop at Uncle Bub's BBQ (real place) in Westmont. Sigh, couldn't this have moved to Canada?
Author Comments: 

$ - Film set in Chicago, but filmed in Canada, usually because of money.
% - Film with a John Hughes connection. Hughes is a native of suburban Northbrook and wrote about and/or directed several movies in and around Chicago.

I know I'm missing several, but these are ones that I'm sure have a Chicago connection.

To be continued...

Cloned From: 
New Orleans in Film