Movies That Take Place in Chicago

Frank Sinatra swore that Chicago was his kind of town. And it's understandable why he'd be so stuck on The Windy City. With its architecture, Chicago becomes a chameleon for filmmakers. It's been everything from Gotham City to a 1920's murder vixen's playground.

For film buffs, it's a great place to visit because there have been tons of films that have called Chicago "home."

While it's Gotham on screen, for the most part, it's Chicago in reality. Scenes for both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight were filmed in Chicago.

Currently, The Dark Knight won't be released in the US until July 18th. However, scenes were shot in Chicago in early 2007. So until the release, we won't know the exact locations that made the cut or what scenes were filmed there.

• Lower Wacker Drive - Lower Wacker Drive became the streets of Gotham for Batman and his Batmobile.

• Samuel Cole Building (233 West Lake Street)

• Alexander White Building (227 West Lake Street)
• Randolph and Lake Parking Garage (Randolph at Lake Street) - Remember that exhilarating scene with the Batmobile that took place at the top of a parking garage? This is that parking garage.
• Franklin Street Bridge (North Franklin Street, crossing the Chicago River)

The story of two "merry murderesses" who are jailed for the murders of their husbands, the film, based on Bob Fosse's musical of the same name, takes place in 20s era Chicago.

Now, you might think that most of this film would be shot within Chicago, and since it bore the name of the Windy City, I felt obligated to include it. However, with the exclusion of a few exterior shots, most of the film was shot in Toronto, Ontario.

Go figure, eh?

Ferris was generally opposed to "-isms," so I'll abstain from using any Chicagoisms. Oops, guess I just used one.

If you're one of those poor uninitiated people who have no knowledge of classic 80s cinema (and it is a classic!), then here's a brief rundown: Ferris convinces his parents that he's sick in order to play hookey from school. Gathering his best friend and girlfriend, Ferris sets out for a day of madness and hijinks that are only possible in the movies.

• The Sears Tower (233 S. Wacker Drive) - During one memorable scene, Ferris and his friends journey to the top of The Sears Tower and peer over Chicago.
• Wrigley Field (1060 West Addison) - Ferris and Cameron ditch P.E. for a Cubs game.
• The Art Institute (111 S. Michigan Avenue) - Here, Ferris, Cameron and Sloane spend a film-sized amount of time perusing the art works found in Chicago's Art Institute.
• Dearborn Street - Ferris' infamous "Twist and Shout" scene was filmed here during Chicago's annual Von Steuben Day Parade.

Jake and Elwood were on a "mission from God." And that mission happened to take place in Sweet Home Chicago.

For the filming of The Blues Brothers, Chicago became the playground to the musical duo. Now, while I could recount the entire locations of the film, this exact job has been done, with great care, by Blues Brothers' fan, Kevin S. Forsyth, complete with maps, scene descriptions and commentary at his Blues Brothers fan site.

While You Were Sleeping is one of the few romantic comedies out there that remains sweet, original and funny. The story of a CTA worker who falls in love with a man she sees as he hands her his El token daily, you can see much of Chicago in the film's exterior shots.

• Randolph/Wabash "L" Station - Located in "The Loop".
• Portage Park (4100 N. Long Ave)
• Logan Boulevard (Logan Square)