We asked which TV shows and movies do you think best capture Chicago. Here’s what you told us, lightly edited for clarity:
” ‘Hill Street Blues.’ I loved the opening credits: Squad car pulling out on a dark, wet street with mom and kids walking on the sidewalk.”
— Judy Morrison Deavers
“ ‘Shameless.’ I feel like I’ve met every one of those people on the streets of Chicago. We lean into our flaws and challenges and remain likable. We face crazy situations with humor, creativity and own the outcomes. Family is everything.”
— Tami Gump
” ‘Crime Story,’ a late ’80s cop drama starring Chicago’s own Dennis Farina, captured Chicago far better than any of the attempts made since. … The opening sequence … featured many notable Chicago hangouts, including places like Janson’s on 99th and Western [that] aren’t in the trendier sections of the North Side, [which] helped with the authenticity.”
— Mark Quinn
“ ‘South Side’ captures the South Side of the city and the people perfectly. Their version of the ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ episode is classic. Kareme Young is great on that show.”
— Charlotte Taylor Powers
“ ‘Drive By (2002)’ captures the three-quarter-length leather jacket aesthetic and doesn’t fall back on California stereotypes in portraying Pilsen- and Little Village-based characters.”
— Jose Rodriguez
” ‘The Fugitive.’ Love the street and housing scenes — and the shots inside Cook County Hospital.”
— José La Luz
” ‘Call Northside 777.’ It was filmed in Chicago, shows the seamy side of some neighborhoods and bars, shows how the government (police) can manipulate or impede events and gives a view of how newspapers operated.”
— Dennis Jensen
” ‘Documentary Now’ — the two-episode ‘Gentle and Soft: The Story of the Blue Jean Committee.’ Fred Armisen and [Bill] Hader nailed the whole Chicago attitude, accent and vibe.”
— Alberto Zapata
“ ‘High Fidelity’ really showed the vibe of Milwaukee and North avenues in the ’90s. Stickers and posters in the record shop were authentic.”
— Jim Waechter
“ ‘Blues Brothers’ is an insane romp through the whole city and suburbs, from Park Ridge to Maxwell Street with a musical soundtrack.”
— Marc Walker
“ ‘Easy.’ Showcased several neighborhoods and got geography right for once. One of my favorite parts was seeing the Davis Theater renovation on screen.”
— Charlotte Robinson
“I don’t think any show or movie can quite capture the magic of our city. All I know is, I am happy that John Candy and Maureen O’Hara filmed ‘Only the Lonely’ in Chicago.”
— Terrence Camodeca