Edition: Dance All Night
Culture & Attractions: Filmed in Chicago
Author: Amy Kistner
All things Hollywood are dealt with in this informative look at the history of film in Chicago! Shooting locations all over the city are described and linked to the famous films which have been shot in the city over the years.
Since the birth of film, over 540 movies have been filmed in Chicago. Most people know about “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “The Blues Brothers,” but did you know about “Ocean’s Eleven” and “Stranger than Fiction”? “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight” were also filmed in Chicago. Take time out of your trip to check out some of the sites in the city that have been captured in your favorite movies.
Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, has been featured in films such as “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “The Babe,” and “The Break-Up.” U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, was featured in “My Best Friend’s Wedding”. Hot tourist spots have also had their 15 minutes of fame. The Sears Tower Skydeck gives a great view of the city and has been featured in several films including “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” “The Weatherman” and “Derailed” both feature scenes shot in Millennium Park. Films have also been shot in several of the Chicago museums including The Field Museum and The Art Institute of Chicago.
The Loop has a lengthy resume as a movie star. Remember the slow-motion shoot-out scene in “The Untouchables”? That scene was filmed on the steps of Union Station (Canal St., between Adams and Jackson). Both “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight” were filmed primarily in the Loop between North Wacker and State with Washington as the lower border, but several scenes were shot other places. Some places that appeared in “Batman Begins” are the Samuel Cole Building (233 W. Lake St.), the Alexander White Building (227 W. Lake St.), the Randolph and Lake Parking Garage (151 W. Randolph), the Merchandise Mart, and the Franklin Street Bridge (Franklin between Lower Wacker and Mart Center Dr.). Meanwhile, The Metra station entrance (200 E. Randolph), Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington) and McCormick Place appear in “The Dark Knight.” For the fun factoid-minded: The scene in “The Dark Knight” where Gotham Hospital blows up was not special effects. The building was actually blown up. The building had previously been the Brachs candy factory (401 N. Cicero). The building had been condemned, so it was perfect for the explosion.
Another favorite Chicago attraction that has been featured in numerous films and has even had a cheesy love story named after it is the CTA elevated train, a.k.a. “L”. The many colored lines have stared in films such as “Risky Business”, “While You Were Sleeping”, “The Fugitive”, and “Spiderman 2”. The L was actually disguised as the New York subway for “The Fugitive”. Take a ride on the red, blue, orange, brown or green line for your own adventure. And last but not least, Emmits Irish Pub was the site of one of the bar scenes in “Ocean’s Eleven”.
