Favorite quote/scene: "The new Oldsmobiles are in early this year."
Posted on 06/16/2010 10:42:44 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
TAORMINA, Sicily -- When Jake and Elwood Blues, the protagonists in John Landis' cult classic "The Blues Brothers," claimed they were on a mission from God, the Catholic Church apparently took them at their word.
On the 30th anniversary of the film's release, "L'Osservatore Romano," the Vatican's official newspaper, called the film a "Catholic classic" and said it should be recommended viewing for Catholics everywhere.
The film is based on a skit from "Saturday Night Live." In the story, Jake and Elwood -- played by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, respectively -- embark on an unlikely road trip featuring concerts, car chases, clashes with the police and neo-Nazi groups, and attempts at revenge from a spurned lover, all, ostensibly, to raise money for the church-run orphanage where they grew up.
But aside from a brief appearance from a relatively brief appearance from Kathleen Freeman as a wrist-slapping nun referred to as "The Penguin" and the brothers' periodic claim that they were on a mission from God, spirituality does not play a significant role in the film.
In addition to Belushi and Aykroyd, the film featured an all-star cast including musicians James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, John Lee Hooker, and Chaka Khan, in addition to noted actors John Candy, Carrie Fisher, Charles Napier, and Henry Gibson, and cameo roles for Frank Oz, Steven Spielberg, Landis, Mr. T, and Paul Reubens.
With the recommendation, "The Blues Brothers" joins the list of dozens of films recommended by Catholic authorities that includes Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments," "Jesus of Nazareth" from Franco Zeffirelli," Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ," Victor Flemming's "Joan of Arc," and "It's a Wonderful Life" from Frank Capra.
Favorite quote/scene: "The new Oldsmobiles are in early this year."
“What we are asking him to do is a Holy thing...”
I’m not Catholic, but sure like the Blues Bro’s.
Reverend Cleophus Brown bump!
"Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration, don't fail me now!"
Is Father Guido Sarducci still working at "L'Osservatore Romano?
Mr. T? I don’t remember Mr. T in “The Blues Brothers”.
Better late than never.
“This mall has got everything”
"Hit it!"
Of course the Vatican condemned “The Blues Brothers 2000” to the deepest regions of Hell.
Time was when the Catholic Legion of Decency used to put out a list of films you should NOT go to see.
my thoughts exactly ????
“What kind of music do you normally have here?
We have both kinds, country and western.
“I Ran Out Of Gas! I Had A Flat Tire! I Didn’t Have Enough Money For Cab Fare! My Tux Didn’t Come Back From The Cleaners! An Old Friend Came In From Out Of Town! Someone Stole My Car! There Was An Earthquake! A Terrible Flood! Locusts! IT WASN’T MY FAULT, I SWEAR TO GOD!”
Related threads:
A Code Is Born
A Brief History of the Legion of Decency (how the Catholic Church impacted Hollywood)
Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips!
I don't remember him, either, but according to IMDBM, Mr. T was an uncredited extra.
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