Five memorable spots from films and TV shows shot in the city:
"The Blues Brothers" (1980): Jake and Elwood's mission from God includes visits to sites not on most tourist tours. Highlight: Shelly's Loan Co., which doubled as Ray's Music Store, run by Ray Charles. A mural that pays tribute to the film is routinely touched up.
"Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986): Director John Hughes' love letter to his town features plenty of choice destinations, although one day off isn't enough to hit them all. Highlight: The truants pay a visit to Sears Tower. The name has changed — it's now Willis Tower — but the view remains the same.
"About Last Night ..." (1986): Rob Lowe and Demi Moore seemingly hit just about every watering hole the city had to offer in this Brat Pack graduate course. Highlight: The gang tosses back brewskies at Mother's near Rush & Division, the same area Tom Hanks frequented in "Nothing in Common."
"The Untouchables" (1987): Gangsters hole up in the swankiest places in this action-packed classic. Highlight: The climactic stairway shootout — director Brian de Palma's homage to "Battleship Potemkin" — made Union Station look like the place to wait for a train.
"ER" (1994-2009): The medical series only shot on location four times a year, but directors took full advantage of the train platforms, bridges and chilly weather. Highlight: Mark Green breaks down on the world's longest "L" ride home after a delivery goes off the tracks in "Love's Labor Lost."
Neal Justin
