Few movies are as closely associated with Chicago as The Blues Brothers. This talk celebrates the 1980 film and its Chicago legacy by taking a deep—and entertaining—dive into its backstory, wild mix of movie genres, and significance to the city's film industry.

We'll begin with the backstory of Jake and Elwood, tracing how the duo got their start in Greenwich Village and on Saturday Night Live. Next, we'll explore how The Blues Brothers brings together ten different Hollywood genres and traditions, from the musical and comedy to the action film and beyond. Finally, we'll take a brief look at the film's significance to Chicago history and the role it played in shaping the city's film industry. More than four decades later, the movie's impact is still being felt.

Program Details

• Length: Approximately 60 minutes

• Format: Illustrated presentation featuring movie and SNL clips, photographs, quotes, and film analysis

• Q&A: Unlimited time following the presentation

• Film Discussed: The Blues Brothers (1980)

• Special Materials: Original montages combining selected film sequences—including action scenes, musical numbers, and other examples—to illustrate the film's genres, conventions, and storytelling techniques

• Topics: Origins of Jake and Elwood Blues, Saturday Night Live, Hollywood screenwriting conventions, film genres, musical comedy, action cinema, minstrelsy and the history of blackface, Chicago film history, Mayor Jane Byrne

• Availability: In-person and virtual