PERFORMING ARTS

The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic

by Daniel de Visé
Atlantic Monthly. Mar. 2024. 480p. ISBN 9780802160980. $28. FILM
COPY ISBN
The Blues Brothers has retained its prominent place in the cultural zeitgeist 40-plus years after its release; its iconic line “We’re on a mission from God” is one of the most memorable in movie history. The film’s longevity is a testament not only to its cameos from music legends—Aretha Franklin, James Brown, John Lee Hooker, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles—but also to the comedic stars at its center: John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. Their time on Saturday Night Live, as part of the show’s first cast, is given its proper due in this book by de Visé (King of the Blues), which takes readers into the chaos of the making of the film and its aftermath. The narrative becomes even more riveting as filming of The Blues Brothers kicks off, and it’s also more tragic as it shows the steady decline that ultimately led to Belushi’s tragic death in 1982.
VERDICT Will be popular with fans of pop culture and aficionados of film and TV history, as it not only covers the creation of The Blues Brothers abut also serves as a dual biography of Aykroyd and Belushi.
Reviewed by Brett Rohlwing , Feb 01, 2024
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

NONFICTION

A Thousand Threads: A Memoir
by Cherry, Neneh
NONFICTION

The Purple One: Prince, Race, Gender, and Everything in Between
NONFICTION

American Noir Film: From ‘The Maltese Falcon’ to ‘Gone Girl’
by Booker, M. Keith
NONFICTION

Heartbreak Is the National Anthem: How Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music
by Sheffield, Rob
NONFICTION

‘Giant’ Love: Edna Ferber, Her Best-Selling Novel of Texas, and the Making of a Classic American Film
by Gilbert, Julie
NONFICTION

Before Elvis: The African American Musicians Who Made the King
by Lauterbach, Preston
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?