Harry and Tonto (1974): Chicago Filming Locations from the Oscar-Winning Road Movie
- Chicago Movie Tours
- Jul 19
- 2 min read
Before heading West, Harry and Tonto spent more than two weeks filming in Chicago. Here's where the cameras rolled—and stories behind the production.
On August 12, 1974, Harry and Tonto was released nationwide.
Opening alongside Chinatown, Herbie Rides Again, and Foxy Brown, this modest road movie about an elderly man and his cat became both a critical and commercial success.
It even earned two Academy Award nominations:
Best Actor: Art Carney
Best Original Screenplay: Paul Mazursky and Josh Greenfeld
Carney won the Oscar, beating out—if you can believe it—Dustin Hoffman for Lenny, Al Pacino for The Godfather Part II, and Jack Nicholson for Chinatown.
Wild times.
Exploring Harry and Tonto’s Chicago Filming Locations
Harry and Tonto follows widowed retiree Harry Coombes (Carney) and his faithful cat, Tonto, on a cross-country journey.
As they travel from New York City to Los Angeles—with a stop in Chicago along the way—they encounter memorable characters and experiences that challenge Harry's perspectives on life, love, and aging.
Above, Tonto grooms himself on the rear dashboard of Harry's car.
In the background, you can spot part of Chicago's 1970s skyline, including what appears to be the Sears Tower, which had only recently been completed.
Below, Harry and his daughter, Shirley (Ellen Burstyn), walk along Chicago's lakefront.
Harry and Tonto filmed in Chicago for approximately 2.5 weeks before the cast and crew continued west to the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, and finally Los Angeles (Greeley Daily Tribune, October 24, 1973).
During production, Art Carney grew especially fond of the cat who played Tonto—a four-year-old stray rescued from the streets of Los Angeles.
"The cat's in love with Art," trainer Betty Schumacher told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in 1974.
In fact, after Harry and Tonto wrapped, Carney reportedly tried to buy his feline co-star. Unfortunately for him, Tonto wasn't for sale.
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