The Blues Brothers
Summary
In 1980 , Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi starred inThe Blues Brothers , which spawned tons of behind - the - scenes anecdotes , including the famous John Belushi backflip tarradiddle . 22 years later , in 2002 , Aykroyd teamed up with John ’s brother Jim and returned to the sight of one of their biggest second . The initiatory Blues Brothers Con in August 2022 saw Belushi and Aykroyd perform a concert with three of the original members of the Blues Brothers ring ( Tom “ Bones ” Malone and Steve “ The Colonel ” Cropper reunited with Aykroyd ) and performed at the Old Joliet Prison .
It was proof that even over four decennium afterThe Blues Brothersstarted as an SNL skit , the classical comedy still has a horde of fans willing to throw on a black tie and sunglasses and enjoyThe Blues Brothers . The film was by no means a safe wager for Universal Studios , specially after production ran right smart over budget , butThe Blues Brothersstill turned into a monumental success . Despite the film being almost 40 class old , there are still some matter fans might not know about the qualification of the cinema .
From A Few Good Men to The Matrix , some movies garner their R rating , but Redditors thought these film were judge too harshly by the MPAA .
15The Blues Brothers Touring Band Played Themselves
Real Blues Brothers, Real Instruments
When Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi decided to transition their Blues Brothers act from a comedic sketch to a serious musical endeavor , they did n’t just bring their characters to animation on the level ; they work together a supergroup of instrumentalist to back them . The band , featuring fabled figures like guitarist Steve Cropper and saxophonist " Blue Lou " Marini , was n’t just a financial support band ; they became an entire part of the Blues Brothers ' identity .
This group of musicians , who were among the best in their genre , not only tour with Aykroyd and Belushi but also wreak fictionalize versions of themselves in the cinema .
This group of musicians , who were among the good in their genre , not only tour with Aykroyd and Belushi but also played fictionalized versions of themselves in the celluloid . With the far-famed exception of Paul Shaffer , who was ineffective to participate due to prior commitments , every extremity of the original touring dance band made their way onto the silver screen , bringing an unparalleled genuineness to the film ’s musical performances .
Custom image created by Stephen Barker
14Aretha Franklin Struggled To Lip-Synch For Her Blues Brothers Scene
Queen of Soul Couldn’t Fake It?
The inclusion of music fable inThe Blues Brothersfilm add a level of authenticity and excitement , bringing their iconic audio to a fresh interview . Among these legends was Aretha Franklin , whose carrying into action of " Think " is one of the film ’s high spot . However , Franklin faced a challenge unfamiliar to most professional singers : lip - synching to her own recording .
allot to John Landis in a tribute write forThe Hollywood Reporter , this was a struggle not unparalleled to Franklin ; many of the film ’s professional Singer found it hard to mouth - synch because they were wonted to performing songs differently each time . This led to a more authentic approach for some scene , like John Lee Hooker ’s unrecorded performance and James Brown ’s church setting , where lively vocals were blended with pre - recorded tracks to wield the energy and genuineness that live singing fetch .
13Ray Charles’ Blues Brothers Scene Featured Non-Professional Dancers
Street Cast For Ray Charles?
Ray Charles ’ unforgettable appearance inThe Blues Brothersas a music shop class proprietor is not just memorable for his melodious prowess but also for the self-generated dance it incites . What makes this view really special , as John Landis revealed ( viaYahoo ) , is thatthe social dancer were not pro but rather casual peoplefound on the streets of Chicago .
This decision was partially due to the fact that the photographic film ’s stars , John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd , were not particularly skilled dancers themselves . By surrounding them with non - professional dancer , Landis manage to create a scene that felt more bona fide and relatable , perfectly capture the purport of joy and community that music can invigorate .
12The Blues Brothers Has The Vatican’s Stamp Of Approval
Blues Brothers: Surprisingly Holy?
The Blues Brothersreceived an unexpected indorsement from the Vatican in 2010 .
Despite its R - rated content and behind - the - scenes argument , The Blues Brothersreceived an unexpected endorsement from the Vatican in 2010,being declared a " Catholic classic " alongside films likeThe Ten CommandmentsandIt ’s a Wonderful lifetime . This realisation , bestowed by the Vatican ’s prescribed newspaper , L’Osservatore Romano , in celebration of the photographic film ’s 30th anniversary , underscore the picture show ’s implicit in subject matter of salvation and mission .
The film , which tell the narration oftwo brothers on a " military mission from God"to save up the orphans' asylum in which they were raise , transcends its comedic and melodious elements to touch on themes of faith and redemption , realize a place in the fondness of audiences worldwide , regardless of their religious affiliation .
11Cab Calloway Wanted Minnie The Moocher, But The Disco Version
Calloway’s Disco Moocher? Not This Time!
Cab Calloway ’s performance inThe Blues Brothersis a standout here and now , perfectly beguile the film ’s celebration of classical medicine . Calloway , a idle words icon , give birth a interpretation of " Minnie the Moocher " that harks back to its original 1931 liberation . However , this nearly was n’t the example . John Landis echo in The Blues Brothers DVD comment thatCalloway had initially want to execute a disco - style reading of the song , a recent re - recording that cut away from its idle words roots .
Landis ’s decisiveness to stick with the classic adaptation was not without disceptation ; Calloway was reportedly unhappy with the decision . Nonetheless , this choice ensured that the moving picture persist a tribute to the timeless quality of the music it celebrated , resonate with interview who treasure the nostalgia and genuineness of the original strain .
10Chicago Police Officers Loved John Belushi
Cops Dig Jake Blues?
The Chicago Police Department love John Belushi . By the timeThe Blues Brotherswas released , Belushi was a massively popular comedian due to his time onSaturday Night Liveand the success ofNational Lampoon ’s Animal House . In unforesightful , Belushi was so far-famed that he could basically do whatever he wanted . manufacturer and author Mitch Glazer even recalled times when constabulary officer would recognize Belushi on the street and give them a ride home . Aykroyd even cash in one’s chips as far as calling Belushi the “ unofficial city manager of Chicago ” ( viaVanity Fair ) .
9The Film Once Held A World Record
Blues Brothers: Record Breakers?
There were plenty of explosions , particular effects , andcar chases inThe Blues Brothers . After Jake and Elwood escape from The Palace Hotel Ballroom , they rush to Chicago City Hall to pay the Roman Catholic Orphanage ’s tax bill . This lead to a constabulary chase , with the two characters in the run . Dozens of police cars chased them through the street of Chicago , and a amount of 103 cars were destroyed during filming . Theyheld the world record ( viaJalopnik ) for most cars destroyed in a filmfor two years untilThe Junkmandestroyed 150 machine and a sheet ( viaGuinness World Records ) .
8John Belushi Got Paid Twice As Much As Dan Aykroyd
Belushi’s Bigger Payday?
John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd were two of the original cast members onSaturday Night Live , but Belushi reach celebrity before Aykroyd did . Aykroyd would , of course , go on to star in films likeGhostbustersandConeheads , butAnimal Housereally kickstarted Belushi ’s career . Because of Belushi ’s previous acting experience , his paycheck reflected it . Aykroyd got paid $ 250,000 forThe Blues Brotherswhile Belushi beat double that at $ 500,000(viaVanity Fair ) . Belushi could have continue his acting calling and peradventure become an even bigger star than Aykroyd if it were n’t for his unseasonable death in 1982 .
7That Chase Scene Took Place In A Real Shopping Mall
Real Mall, Real Mayhem!
While many films build gargantuan sets to destroy for take purposes , The Blues Brothersdestroyed an literal mall . The iconic scene was filmed in Dixie Square Mall in Harvey , Illinois , which had recently been closed due to law-breaking and gang activity in the area . According to a documentary on the twenty-fifth Anniversary Edition ofThe Blues Brothers , the then - empty shopping mall was occupy with actual merchandise from stores , with the hope that any merchandise undamaged would be return .
The parking lot of the center was also fulfill with marque - Modern cars since that was the only way they would have been able-bodied to fill the abandoned lot . After the film crew put down the mall , it was never freshen up and was eventually torn down in 2012 ( viaDaily Mail ) . " I remember quondam - timers exhaustively amazed at what the city was allowing , " say Mark Hogan , an electrician for the product of the film ( viaChicago Tribune ) .
6Dan Aykroyd Proposed To Carrie Fisher During Filming
Love on the Set: Blues Brothers Style
The Blues Brotherscame out three years after the massive success ofStar Warsand snagged one of the film ’s stars : Carrie Fisher . Fisher work the mystery woman who was Jake ’s ex - fiancée . In real life , though , she was engaged to Dan Aykroyd . Belushi set them up on band after Aykroyd gave her the Heimlich maneuver when she choked on a Brussels sprout ( viaPeople ) . They descend in love and eventually got wage .
Aykroyd even bring out they conceive about ingest kid together , which did n’t end up bump . The couple decided to break away off their engagement after Fisher make up her relationship with Paul Simon . " Contemplating marriage , I gave Carrie a cerulean ring , " Aykroyd pen in a testimonial to Fisher after her death ( viaET Online ) . He continued :
afterward in the Latinian language she give me a Donald Roller Wilson oil color picture of a monkey in a blue dress next to a tiny floating pencil , which I kept for old age until it commence to affright my tike .
