Top 13 Blues Brothers Movie Details

While searching the internet for Blues Brothers movie facts, I found some interesting little known details. Obscure enough that most people could miss it, I want to make you a favor by creating ordered lists with the most intriguing hidden details.

Most of them are not blatantly obvious to be observed at first sight, so take your time and read carefully. We have extensive definitions that accurately explain any behind the scene meaning or famous dialogues.

In The Blues Brothers (1980) John Lee Hooker is the only musical artist featured both as a character (Street Slim singing Boom Boom) and as music the brothers are listening to diegetically in their car (Hooker's own recording of Boogie Chillen') while they're driving to Bob's Country Bunker
In The Blues Brothers (1980) John Lee Hooker is the only musical artist featured both as a character (Street Slim singing Boom Boom) and as music the brothers are listening to diegetically in their car (Hooker's own recording of Boogie Chillen') while they're driving to Bob's Country Bunker
In The Blues Brothers (1980), during the church scene, an actual church was used, and the actual congregation can be seen in the balcony.
In The Blues Brothers (1980), during the church scene, an actual church was used, and the actual congregation can be seen in the balcony.

Trivia

I have collected all the famous movie trivia questions with answers from Reddit and other sources. They can be very useful in quizzes or games, or simply to learn more information. Most of the fun Blues Brothers details are suitable for kids.

  1. John Belushi's coke habit was so severe Universal Studios included it in the budget. Director John Landis later found "a mountain of cocaine" in Belushi's trailer. The expense was approved so they could all work at night. Shit was behind schedule--cause blow.

  2. The band played two songs at Bob's Country Bunker: "Stand by Your Man" and "Rawhide." However, a third song was recorded and filmed: Johnny Horton's "Sink the Bismarck."

  3. The Playboy pinup on Elwood's wall was a fake centerfold featuring Colleen Camp that had been specially created for use in Apocalypse Now.

Easter Eggs

Finding Easter Eggs in movies is one of my favorite hobbies. Hidden objects, characters, and their meanings are wonderful ways to discover the filmmaker's perspectives of any given movie.

  • 1 - I don't know if this is a big coincidence but in Blues Brothers (1980), right before the mall car chase, Jake calls Elwood "Motorhead". Moments later there is a store in the background named "Lemmy's". Lemmy was the iconic frontman of the heavy metal band Mot?rhead. Thoughts?
    I don't know if this is a big coincidence but in Blues Brothers (1980), right before the mall car chase, Jake calls Elwood "Motorhead". Moments later there is a store in the background named "Lemmy's". Lemmy was the iconic frontman of the heavy metal band Mot?rhead. Thoughts?
  • 1 - During the mall chase scene, the logo for Depasto Oldsmobile is seen. This is a reference to one of John Landis's previous films, Animal House (1978)
    During the mall chase scene, the logo for Depasto Oldsmobile is seen. This is a reference to one of John Landis's previous films, Animal House (1978)

Hidden Details

1 - Jake's relationship to the Mystery Woman is foreshadowed when she is learning how to use the flamethrower.
Jake's relationship to the Mystery Woman is foreshadowed when she is learning how to use the flamethrower.

The Illinois Nazis are members of the American Socialist White Peoples Party, or ASWIPP (asswipe)

1 - A customer in the store is buying a Grover doll. When asked if he found everything he asks if they have a Mrs. Piggy. Both characters were performed by the movie's director, Frank Oz
A customer in the store is buying a Grover doll. When asked if he found everything he asks if they have a Mrs. Piggy. Both characters were performed by the movie's director, Frank Oz

When Jake finally accepts the new Bluesmobile, he says, "Fix the cigarette lighter." Earlier in that scene, he had thrown it out the window. (Link is parody of this scene.)

Takes place in and around Chicago. Parts of the ending car chase, including the bridge scene and freeway shots, are shot in Milwaukee to utilize the construction of a bridge at the time.

Blues Brothers poster
Blues Brothers poster

Blues Brothers Plot: Jake Blues, just released from prison, puts together his old band to save the Catholic home where he and his brother Elwood were raised.

I am pretty sure that you've watched Blues Brothers, maybe in a theater near you or on the small screen, but probably not many of the small details have taken your attention. Most of the previous facts are hidden for some reason, but still, there is plenty of randomly forgetten stuff that makes the movie unique and interesting. The more you know, the more fascinated you'll be about Blues Brothers and will watch it online, download or stream it again and again.

Genre Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Music, Musical
Director John Landis
Main Actors Tom Erhart, Gerald Walling, John Belushi, Walter Levine
IMDB score 7.9

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