The local Cinemark just showed "The Blues Brothers" as part of its "Friday Night Rewind" midnight movie series. 

I was psyched to see it again on the big screen!  I saw it in its original release in 1980 because my parents let me see R-rated movies!

I loved movies with lots of explosions and car chases at that age, so BB was perfect. 

I didn't come to appreciate the performances by James Brown, John Lee Hooker, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, Matt 'Guitar' Murphy, and Ray Charles until I was a bit older.  A quarter century later these R&B greats are dying off, so BB is also an important document preserving some great performances in the genre. 

Of course, one of my favorite seens is still the Chez Paul ("Heh heh, how much for the little girl?, I want to buy your women, sell them to me!"), including an early cameo by Paul Reubens, who would achieve superstardom a few years later as Pee-Wee Herman!

Jake Blues is second only to Bluto Blutarski as one of John Belushi's finest cinematic performances.  Belushi gets more accolades than Aykroyd because he died so young of a drug overdose.  However, I always liked Elwood better. 

Pick up the symbolism of the "white bread."  Dan Aykroyd was so far from being a down-home R&B man he made it work to his advantage.  He had the totally stiff comportment and that Canadian accent that was just hell and gone from the roots of blues.  It was sort of like the marriage of David Byrne with African rhythms.  Juxtaposition, not imitation, made it cool!

What did you think of The Blues Brothers?  Can you think of other '80s movies it might have influenced?  I'm thinking of one right now, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."  Two scenes in particular--the choreography for the "Twist and Shout" scene and the garage attendants joyriding in the Ferrari.

That scene where they are dancing in the church still makes me laugh ;D

Dan Aykroyd is a resident of the city where I live, and a while ago, he had his own restaurant called "Aykroyd's Bar and Grill" and the actual Blues Mobile was featured in the restaurant, partially sticking out the side of the building lol

Elwood: It's a 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.

The Blues Brothers is one of those movies I have to see at least once a year, the other being "Animal House,"
"Fast Times At Ridgemont High," and "This Is Spinal Tap."

Love the Blues Brothers!  In fact it's one of my (if not my #1) all time favorite comedies!!!

It helps that I'm a native Chicagoan and recognize so many of those places (those that aren't defunct :-\\)

All the scenes already mentioned are memorable for me.  I also love the guys' performance in "Bob's Country Bunker" - chicken wire and all  ;D

As MaxwellSmart mentioned, it's great seeing the R&B legends' performances throughout the movie, and sadly we have lost many of these legends in recent years...

Right, I think it helps if you've lived in and around Chicago because so many of the scenes are familiar.

The Blues Brothers is/was.. in my opinion one of the best movies ever made. It was totally alien to the typical Hollywood blockbuster nonsense but at the same time, was more accessible than any sort of 'independent movies' of the time.

The cars, the music, the dialog, the way you could read between the lines and die laughing.. perfection. In my opinion, even better than Animal House.. and that's saying something!

Love the Blues Brothers!  In fact it's one of my (if not my #1) all time favorite comedies!!!

It helps that I'm a native Chicagoan and recognize so many of those places (those that aren't defunct :-\\)

All the scenes already mentioned are memorable for me.  I also love the guys' performance in "Bob's Country Bunker" - chicken wire and all   ;D

As MaxwellSmart mentioned, it's great seeing the R&B legends' performances throughout the movie, and sadly we have lost many of these legends in recent years...


Aretha Franklin seems to be pretty much retired.  John Lee Hooker is around, as the musicians in the "Blues Brothers" band.
The thing is, when these greats of soul, blues, and R&B die, they're not being replaced.  There will never be another James Brown or another Ray Charles.  That era has past.  The same is true in jazz.  

I took special notice of all those locales in Chicago and figured most of them were long gone.  

From what I've read, they seem to be pulling a Giuliani on Chicago.  Everybody can cheer for the demolition of those nightmarish housing projects and the blight of abandoned buildings, but I hate to think of Maxwell Street (no reltion) getting Disney-fied, like Times Square.  No history, no soul, no character, just Starbucks and Abercrombie & Fitch.  

I love that when they're at Bob's Country Bunker and they just start right up with "Gimme Some Lovin'" and all hell breaks loose!
"Why, that ain't no Hank Williams song!"

Charles Napier (Tucker McElroy, the Goode Ole Boys) is one of those character actors you've seen in dozens of movies, but still can't connect the name with the face.  He's been in most of Jonathan Demme's films ("Dad" in "Something Wild," Lt. Boyle in "Silence of the Lambs," Judge Garnett in "Philadelphia," etc.)

Jake: My name is Jacob Stein. I'm from the American Federation of Music. I've been sent to see if you gentlemen are carrying your permits.
Tucker McElroy: Our what?
Jake: Your union cards. May I see your cards please?
Tucker McElroy (in Kentucky drawl): Well, suppose we ain't got no union cards and go in there and start playin' anyway? Whatcha gonna do about that? You gonna stop us, Stein ? Ha. You're gonna look pretty funny tryin' to eat corn on the cob with no f/ckin' teeth!
Jake: Look, we'll go in and talk to Bob and see if we can't put you boys on a contract waiver just for tonight.  Don't move from this spot.
Elwood:  We'll...we'll talk ta Bob....

McElroy's contemptuous emphasis on the name "Stein" is of course an indication of the character's redneck anti-semitism.

Speaking of---
It's fairly obvious why they included the neo-nazis in the film.  
Elwood: What's going on here?
Cop: They won their court case, so they're marching today.
Elwood: Who?
Cop: The f**kin' nazi party!
Jake: Illinois nazis...I hate Illinois nazis!
When they were making the film, the Skokie controversy with National Socialist Party of America was still at a boil.  The nazis wanted to march in Skokie, just south of Chicago, where a large number of holocaust survivors lived.  Although the neo-nazis won the court case, they ultimately decided not to march in Skokie, but in Chicago.  However, they really p*ssed a lot of people off and the raging counter-protesters in the film reflected that sentiment.  

The majority of the audience at the Friday Night Rewind were not even born when all that was going down, but everybody still cheers when the Bluesmobile sends the neo-nazis jumping into the river!

"I've always loved you."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNzDOA0y7C0
Check it out before it gets deleted!

That is one of my favorite 80s movies. I love the scene in the shopping mall ("This place has got everything").

I love the scene in the shopping mall ("This place has got everything").


Interested in some trivia?  Check this out:

http://www.inthe00s.com/index.php?topic=15044.msg1259693#msg1259693

or more directly,

http://www.deadmalls.com/malls/dixie_square_mall.html

(The beginning of the article has the interesting part.  But the entire article is actually rather sad...)

John Lee Hooker is around, as the musicians in the "Blues Brothers" band.


Alas, John Lee Hooker is gone, passed away 2001. I note this because this movie, one of my all time favs, really introduced me to some of his tunes...I was only 13 at the time it was released, but I remember the scene when they were driving around, before arriving to Bob's Country Bunker, I was completely obsessed with the song playing in the background, "Boogie Chillun".
I've been a die hard JLH fan ever since.
If nothing else, the film introduced some of young kids like me (at the time) to some blues greats of the past. Not a bad thing.

Oh yeah, this movie has one of (many) of the most over the top car chase scenes ever made. I believe the number of cars wrecked in the final car chase was a world record at the time and stood for many years thereafter...there is a story about Dan Aykroyd insisting on doing some of the driving at over 110mph, and not embarrassing himself either.

Alas, John Lee Hooker is gone, passed away 2001. I note this because this movie, one of my all time favs, really introduced me to some of his tunes...I was only 13 at the time it was released, but I remember the scene when they were driving around, before arriving to Bob's Country Bunker, I was completely obsessed with the song playing in the background, "Boogie Chillun".
I've been a die hard JLH fan ever since.
If nothing else, the film introduced some of young kids like me (at the time) to some blues greats of the past. Not a bad thing.

Oh yeah, this movie has one of (many) of the most over the top car chase scenes ever made. I believe the number of cars wrecked in the final car chase was a world record at the time and stood for many years thereafter...there is a story about Dan Aykroyd insisting on doing some of the driving at over 110mph, and not embarrassing himself either.

Oh, that's right, I forgot JLH died in 2001

Probably not the smartest thing for Aykroyd to do his own stunts.  He might not have outlived Belushi!  There's a reason why there's a whol stuntman profession!
I've heard the chase scenes involving the bridges and underpasses were inspired by "The French Connection."

One scene that always makes me laugh hardest is when Bob and McElroy shoot out the rear window of the Bluesmobile. 
Elwood: "Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration don't fail us now!"

Cop #1: "I don't believe it, it's that sh*tbox Dodge again!"
Cop #2: "Those bastards are ours now!"

It's something about the way that cruiser slams into Bob's pick-up truck so it goes flipping over and busts the fireplug!  Always cracks me up!

Cop #1: "Boys, you in a lotta trouble!"

;D

The scene at the end where the nazi car goes off the bridge was filmed in Milwaukee, Wi, (my hometown). I remember it was on the news and they had to close part of the freeway to shoot the scene. They finally finished the bridge a couple of years later.

The old Milwaukee County Stadium was used for the ballpark interior scenes in Major League.

That has long been one of my favorite movies.  I watch BB every chance I get.  And I am probably one of the few that actually enjoys BB2K.  While the plot kinda sucked, the performances were first rate.

In fact, it was Cab Calloway that really got me into Blues, with his performances in this movie.  I still listen to it all the time, and try to catch "The Elwood Blues Radio Show" every chance I get (check for it in your area on Saturday night).


What did you think of The Blues Brothers?  Can you think of other '80s movies it might have influenced?  I'm thinking of one right now, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."  Two scenes in particular--the choreography for the "Twist and Shout" scene and the garage attendants joyriding in the Ferrari.


It is rather ironic that this came up at this time.  A lot of people do not realize that the parking attendant in FBDO was actually Richard Edson, the original drummer for Sonic Youth. 

And the 80's are full of iconic movies.  From Spinal Tap and Buckaroo Banzai to Taps and Red Dawn.  These are all simply movies that can't be made again.  The climate and people have changed so much, that it would simply come across as looking "old", "dated", and "campy".

As Dan found out when he made BB2K.  Maybe we have just become to sophisticated for our own good.

  With the Blues Brothers, I guess I never really "got it".  I've caught it a few times on TV over the years but still think it's a way overrated movie...

  Is it supposed to be funny..?  With Akroyd and Belushi's constant deadpan delivery it's hard to tell.  Maybe the joke's on me...

That has long been one of my favorite movies.  I watch BB every chance I get.  And I am probably one of the few that actually enjoys BB2K.  While the plot kinda sucked, the performances were first rate.

In fact, it was Cab Calloway that really got me into Blues, with his performances in this movie.  I still listen to it all the time, and try to catch "The Elwood Blues Radio Show" every chance I get (check for it in your area on Saturday night).
Of course, BB emphasized Chicago blues, which has a more upbeat sound with a brass section and whatnot.  My personal preference is roots Delta blues, the kind of stuff that sounds like it was played by some old blind dude on the back porch!

It is rather ironic that this came up at this time.  A lot of people do not realize that the parking attendant in FBDO was actually Richard Edson, the original drummer for Sonic Youth.
I didn't realize it at the time, but I subsequently found out.  Neat!

Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon live up around these parts now.  Once Thurston was down at the studio and gave me a nod of approval for some old Cabaret Voltaire I was playing!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/05/heartline.gif 

And the 80's are full of iconic movies.  From Spinal Tap and Buckaroo Banzai to Taps and Red Dawn.  These are all simply movies that can't be made again.  The climate and people have changed so much, that it would simply come across as looking "old", "dated", and "campy".

I wish Aykroyd had left that classic alone.  It was not meant to have a sequel.  What if Paul Newman tried to make "Cool Hand Luke 2000"?  I mean, come on!  I was disgusted when they went ahead and made another "Alien" sequel even after Ripley died in the inferno in the purported final one!

Times do change, and I feel like I'm the only one who wonders if teens today can really "get" Spinal Tap.  It will always be a funny movie for anybody to watch, but to really dig the parody, you needed to be there in the '80s when the rock groups that got started in the '60s were trying to keep up with times. 
"Listen to the Flower People" versus "Big Bottoms"
is the same kind of stylistic juxtaposition as, say
"She's a Rainbow" versus "Miss You."*
I dunno, it's the kind of subtlety you can only pick up if you're well-versed in your rock music history. 
It also helps if you've seen rockumentaries, such as, Zep's "The Song Remains the Same."
Lenny Bruce was a comic genius, but even I don't get many of his references because I just wasn't around in the '50s and '60s when Bruce was fighting the obscenity charges.  You even had to be hip in in 1962 to "get" some of the stuff Bruce was saying.  So it goes satire d'une ère.

*RS' "Miss You" came out in 1978, but no matter.

Loved it.  the casting was great, one of those movies that you can recite the dialogue from and most people know it.  Took Diane to see James Taylor at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley last August, and I was very pleased to see 'Blue Lou' Marini" playing saxophone. JT introduced everyone and gave Blue Lou his Blues Brothers credentials.

Jake: Do you have any fried chicken ma'am?
Mrs. Murphy: Best damned chicken in the state.
Jake: Bring me four fried chickens and a Coke.
Mrs. Murphy: You want chicken wings or chicken legs?
Jake: Four fried chickens and a Coke.

Loved it.  the casting was great, one of those movies that you can recite the dialogue from and most people know it.  Took Diane to see James Taylor at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley last August, and I was very pleased to see 'Blue Lou' Marini" playing saxophone. JT introduced everyone and gave Blue Lou his Blues Brothers credentials.

Jake: Do you have any fried chicken ma'am?
Mrs. Murphy: Best damned chicken in the state.
Jake: Bring me four fried chickens and a Coke.
Mrs. Murphy: You want chicken wings or chicken legs?
Jake: Four fried chickens and a Coke.



Elwood:  Do you have any white bread?
Mrs. Murphy: Uh-huh.
Elwood: I would like some toasted white bread.
Mrs. Murphy: You want butter or jam on your toast, hon?
Elwood: No ma'am, dry.

Elwood:  Do you have any white bread?
Mrs. Murphy: Uh-huh.
Elwood: I would like some toasted white bread.
Mrs. Murphy: You want butter or jam on your toast, hon?
Elwood: No ma'am, dry.



Jake: Do you have any fried chicken ma'am?
Mrs. Murphy: Best damned chicken in the state.
Jake: Bring me four fried chickens and a Coke.
Mrs. Murphy: You want chicken wings or chicken legs?
Jake: Four fried chickens and a Coke.


;D  ;D  ;D  ;D

i love john belushi. i\'ve been to the place where he pigged out and did the fish thing

Times do change, and I feel like I'm the only one who wonders if teens today can really "get" Spinal Tap.  It will always be a funny movie for anybody to watch, but to really dig the parody, you needed to be there in the '80s when the rock groups that got started in the '60s were trying to keep up with times. 
"Listen to the Flower People" versus "Big Bottoms"
is the same kind of stylistic juxtaposition as, say
"She's a Rainbow" versus "Miss You."*


Another good set of songs to compare are by The Beatles.
"I Wanna Hold Your Hand" versus "Why Don't We Do It In The Road?".

And in Tap News, they are actually getting together for a new concert!  They will be playing in London for the Live Earth festival in July. 

http://www.theage.com.au/news/film/this-is-climate-change/2007/04/26/1177459821738.html

It's a good film.

"‘The Blues Brothers’ Celebrates Its 35th Anniversary!"

http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2015/06/20/blues-brothers-celebrates-35th-anniversary

A lot in the past it would be night time and I'd still have my sun glasses.  You'll never guess what I thought of.

"‘The Blues Brothers’ Celebrates Its 35th Anniversary!"

http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2015/06/20/blues-brothers-celebrates-35th-anniversary


Happy Anniversary to The Blues Brothers. :)

"‘The Blues Brothers’ Celebrates Its 35th Anniversary!"

http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2015/06/20/blues-brothers-celebrates-35th-anniversary

The UK had to wait for October 10th 1980 for the release of the film.

"‘The Blues Brothers’ Celebrates Its 35th Anniversary!"

http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2015/06/20/blues-brothers-celebrates-35th-anniversary


Cool article!  Thanks  :)

http://flac-lossless.net/uploads/posts/2014-03/1396028444_blues-brothers-briefcase-full-of-blues-1978-vinyl-flac-tracks-.cue.jpg

I have their album Briefcase Full Of Blues-which I really like. The movie I thought was ok but there were some parts that I really like. I loved when they went into the redneck bar and the guy said, "We play BOTH kinds of music-country AND western."

And how can you go wrong with Cab Callaway singing Minnie the Moocher.



Cat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSF9QT4jmsQ
Rubber Biscuit

"Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd returns home for anniversary film screening"

http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/news/blues-brother-dan-aykroyd-returns-home-for-anniversary-film-screening-1.2623716