It’s interesting how years. . . . decades can go by and then suddenly you learn something about your family that you never knew. Such is my case. . . .

“The Blues Brothers” was the 1980 film classic which was shot in Chicago. Lots of street scenes, car chases and visits to public locations. The film features an amazing cast – John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Cab Calloway and so many others. I have just learned that this amazing cast included – fasten your seat belts – my mother and father. Let me explain.

As mentioned on July 26, 2022, I grew up in a small family business – Chicago Paper Tube & Can Company. The last location for the company was a 3 story building at 925 W. Jackson Blvd. in Chicago. When “The Blues Brothers” was being filmed, the production headquarters was a block away. But filming stayed away until. . . .

In the iconic scene where Jake and Elwood are racing back to the City – to deliver money to save the orphanage – they are chased eastbound on Jackson Boulevard. On the day of the filming, my parents watched the filming out an open second floor window. My mother recalled one of the directors yelling at her “hey Blondie – get back inside.” Well apparently they didn’t. I just learned that my mother and father are in the movie!!!

That immortal chase scene can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoKKT4hmj6Q If you do repeated stop action beginning at minute 1:49 to about 1:52 – you will see on either side of the racing car two people with their heads poked out the window. Those are my parents. And to think they never got their names in the credits. I wonder if it’s too late. . . . .