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Save Ferris: A Chicago Guide to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Four friends return to Shermer, Illinois, to re-create film's most iconic sick day

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    Photography by Joshua Mellin and Heather Kaplan. Post-Production Hollywood Magic by Cap Blackard.

    Music, Movies & Moods is a regular free-form column in which Matt Melis explores the cracks between where art and daily life meet. With Ferris Bueller’s Day Off turning 30, four friends return to Shermer, Illinois, to re-create the most famous sick day in film history.

    COS_Music_Movies_Moods (2)Earlier this year, a film series called Is It Still Funny? ran in Chicago. The screenings featured comedy classics like Animal House, Blazing Saddles, and Duck Soup. No matter how old those films grow, I can’t imagine not finding them hilarious. If anything, a series like that tells you more about how you’ve aged than about a particular film. That’s something I’ve discovered as I’ve gotten old enough to have aged alongside the art I love. Certain movies, music, and literature remain fixtures, but my relationship and distance to them changes as the years pass. That’s as it should be, but at times there’s a sadness in not being able to connect to an album or film in the same way that once mattered so very much to me.

    The day out depicted in John Hughes’ Ferris Bueller’s Day Off always prodded my imagination as a teen. A guy, his girl, his best friend, and a dream car speed off on an adventure together, seemingly nothing that can stop them. It’s the type of All-American adventure I envied when younger but never actually embarked on once old enough to do so. When Editor-in-Chief Michael Roffman, Film Editor Dominick Suzanne-Mayer, and I sat down to brainstorm a project for this anniversary, we landed on re-creating the trio’s day off rather quickly. Sure, it made sense because we live in Chicago, where the most iconic filming locations are, but part of me suspects they’ve also daydreamed their fair share of rides in that Ferrari. Just a hunch.

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    Over the past few weeks, I’ve watched Ferris, Sloane, and Cameron borrow that Ferrari, prank their principal, and twist and shout dozens of times, and it holds up like those comedies I mentioned before. Sure, no teen has ever been such a smooth operator, no parents as blissfully naive, and no principal that hellbent on crushing a child, but after all these years, the sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, wastoids, dweebies, and dickheads are still right: Ferris is a righteous dude. But what about me? Finally, at nearly 33 years old, a chance to make Chicago my playground like Abe Froman, that seductress in the cab, and George Peterson before me. Would I get pinched, survive, or just stay at home in bed with nothing good to do? Or, more troubling yet, would I realize this once idealized adventure was one I didn’t really want to go on anymore?

    It took one look at my friends Michael (Ferris), Heather Kaplan (Sloane), and Justin Gerber (Cameron) in costume to alleviate that fear. As we toured Chicago, I began hanging back and watching them walk down the street together. It was like seeing those characters I’ve known for two decades step out of the film and into my own city. Even more fun was watching complete strangers approach them wherever we went — Willis Tower, Wrigley Field, the Art Institute of Chicago — each just so excited to see them. Children 20 years younger than the film and adults who saw the movie in theaters when they were my age equally lit up when they saw Ferris, Sloane, and Cameron pass by on our adventure. At one point, we had to delay our production at the Art Institute because so many people wanted not a picture of Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon… but a picture of our Cameron staring at the painting. Still fine art, I think.

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    Photo by Joshua Mellin

    As I’ve grown up watching Ferris, I’ve come to appreciate the film as being about more than simply skipping school. It’s one of the last hurrahs for three dear friends who face uncertain futures and know that their roles in each other’s lives are likely to change very soon. As a teen, the film signified carefree adventure to me. As an adult, I see it as a warm reminder that I only have so many adventures left with my own Ferris, Sloane, and Cameron before our lives inevitably change some day. It’s the reason I still drag myself out of bed whenever Ferris calls. It’s why I spent a Saturday running around Chicago with a clipboard full of shooting locations and scenes to re-create.

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    To paraphrase a righteous dude: Life moves pretty fast, and I don’t intend on missing it.

    –Matt Melis
    Editorial Director

    Click ahead to experience our entire Ferris Bueller’s Day Off adventure in full!
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    Casting and Wardrobe

    Cast: Michael Roffman as Ferris Bueller, Heather Kaplan as Sloane Peterson, Justin Gerber as Cameron Frye, and Matt Melis humbly as John Hughes.

    Great productions are often made or sabotaged during auditions. As a director, it’s my job to know perfect casting when it drops into the backseat of my friend’s dad’s Ferrari. On rare occasions, an actor is born to play a certain role, able to instinctively tap into the essence of the character they’ll be portraying — like Ed Rooney doing Dirty Harry. When that happens, a director need only step back and roll camera. Broderick, Sara, Ruck — absolute no-brainers. Roffman, Kaplan, and Gerber — not so much. I’d like to tell you that Michael Roffman is as naturally smooth as Ferris, Heather Kaplan as wildly untamable as Sloane, and Justin Gerber as emotionally damaged as Cameron, but only the observation about Justin would be true. It took all of my skills as a director to coax remarkable performances from these three, a feat that should not go ignored come awards season.

    Day Off on a Budget: Also critical to final casting decisions was the fact that Michael and Heather had dressed as Ferris and Sloane a couple Halloweens ago (both Ferris’ vest and Sloane’s jacket actually made by Heather). Given our tight budget, having two costumes already accounted for largely secured a green light for our project. Justin didn’t own a Gordie Howe jersey, but I’m sure they didn’t ask Olivier to bring his own tights to play Hamlet either.

    — 1 Gordie Howe Red Wings jersey x  $70 = $70

    Running Production Budget: $70

    –Matt Melis

    WLS 890 AM (Soundtrack): “Love Missile F1-11” (Extended Version) by Sigue Sigue Sputnik

    Odds are you’ve never heard of London’s Sigue Sigue Sputnik. What country do you think this is? Right. Led by former Generation X bassist Tony James, the new wave outfit’s first single brings us into the world of Ferris Bueller with its manic pop sensibilities that oscillate between a happier Suicide and a more frantic Devo. Wouldn’t you know that Giorgio Moroder produced this ditty; listen carefully at the beginning, and you’ll hear a sample from Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange.

    You can find this track on Sigue Sigue Sputnik’s 1986 debut, Flaunt It.

    –Michael Roffman

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    Cameron’s House (It Begins)

    On Location: 370 Beech Street, Highland Park, IL 60035

    Cameron’s home might be the most important locale in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. That cold, sterile, futuristic-looking structure houses all of Cameron’s fears, and it’s where he must return by film’s end to face them. Our 45-minute drive out to Highland Park from our Wrigleyville apartments wasn’t without its own trepidation. As we ventured farther into the opulent north Chicago suburbs, Justin grew more NRVOUS about donning a Red Wings jersey in Blackhawk country on an 80-degree day. By the time we pulled up to his character’s house, he started angrily hopping up and down in Cameron’s driveway shouting, “I’ll go, I’ll go, I’ll go.” Talk about life imitating art.

    Luckily, it seemed like nobody was home. Cam’s mom must still be in Decatur.

    Save Ferris (Community Support): Within a couple minutes of arriving at Cameron’s house, a bro and his girlfriend drove by, pulled over, and popped out to get their pictures taken with our cast. The guy did a spot-on George Peterson impression, too. (Where was he during my casting call?) A couple minutes later, we heard a tapping come from the house across the street. A middle-aged woman was motioning to us from a window to stay put. Was she calling the neighborhood watch on us? No, as it turned out, she just wanted to snap a quick picture of the cast before we left. A closed set might’ve meant fewer distractions, but we were thankful for the Beech Street love. They just didn’t want to “let our Cameron go.”

    Day Off on a Budget: I asked for a Ferrari. I got a Mini Cooper. How’s that for being born under a bad sign? As depressed as I was when I found out that a 1961 250GT California was out of the question (only 55 were made and they sell for millions), I felt better when I learned that not even John Hughes could afford one other than for closeups. Edmond Dantes himself had to settle for driving and destroying a modified MGB. Us? We rented a Mini Cooper. For four people, none of whom are shorter than 5’11”, “it is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.”

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    — 1 Mini Cooper Zipcar Rental x $89 (Daily Rate) = $89.00

    Running Production Budget: $159

    –Matt Melis

    WLS 890 AM: “Oh Yeah” by Yello

    You’d have to be a fry cook on Venus to have missed Yello’s 1985 single. The Simpsons, South Park, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, American Dad!, Michael J. Fox’s The Secret of My Success, and even old Twix bar commercials all used this silvery chunk of synthpop. But really, the Swiss band’s Billboard hit started charting when it met Cameron Frye, specifically his father’s 1961 Ferrari 250GT California, a “choice” model that recently sold for, oh, 15.1 million dollars.

    You can find this track on Yello’s 1985 fourth studio album, Stella.

    –Michael Roffman


    Hail to Old Shermer High!

    On Location: Glenbrook North High School, 2300 Shermer Road, Northbrook, IL 60062

    “Do you know what the fuck we found out?” Jay asks Bethany in the film Dogma. “There is no Shermer in Illinois. Movies are fucking bullshit.” For my generation, hearing that Shermer isn’t real is analogous to telling a small child that Santa Claus doesn’t exist. However, if you make it to Northbrook, IL, you will find a Shermer Road, and if you follow it like a yellow-brick beacon, you’ll arrive at Glenbrook North High School, better known to Hughesiacs as Shermer High School, where Ferris, Sloan, and Cameron are enrolled. (The interiors were shot at nearby Maine North High School, also used for The Breakfast Club.) While we’re all 15 years or more removed from high school, that didn’t stop us from worrying that Principal Rooney or Grace might be lurking around. Like good busters, we minded our P’s and Q’s. Still, that didn’t deter us from peeling out of the parking lot while blasting “Beat City” from our stereo.

    Save Ferris: Would you believe that the school parking lot was entirely full with thousands in attendance ready to stand in as extras and cheer us on? Yeah, me neither. As it turned out, we showed up during Glenbrook North’s commencement, which accounted for the crowd. Still, police officers, security guards, and parking lot attendants were more than happy to let us on the set. They obviously knew who they were dealing with: Bueller, Ferris Bueller.

    Day Off on a Budget: It costs absolutely nothing to loiter on public school property. Shermer High forever!

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    Running Production Budget: $159

    –Matt Melis

    WLS 890 AM: “Beat City” by The Flowerpot Men

    Not to be mistaken with ’60s British pop group The Flower Pot Men, this ’80s British electronic act stayed relatively under the radar throughout the Thatcher era before restarting as Sunsonic. “Beat City” was their only debatable hit, but hey, if you can make one great song, there’s no need to weep for the future. In the film, the punky new wave anthem tips off Ferris’ day off as he literally pulls a fast one on Rooney by picking up Sloane in person and speeding off. What a snot-nosed punk!

    You can find this track on The Flowerpot Men’s 1987 studio album, The Janice Long Session. Good luck.

    –Michael Roffman


    Reclaiming the “Save Ferris” Water Tower

    On Location: 1201 Cedar Lane, Northbrook, IL

    The great running gag in the film is how the community — including the student body, the English Department, the Chicago Cubs, and the cops at the station — rallies around Ferris, praying for him to return to health. Ferris isn’t just a pillar of the community; he appears to be its entire foundation, the one person preventing civilization from collapsing into chaos. And the grandest gesture of all — even more so than classmates collecting for his new kidney (“they run around 50 G’s or so”) — comes when goodhearted locals paint “Save Ferris” on the town water tower. While that original message of support has long since been removed, we decided that it was time we brought it back. When in Shermer…

    Save Ferris: After experiencing nothing but hospitality in Shermer, a pedestrian was clearly concerned as we posed for photos in front of the water tower. She seemed even more worried when we started to climb up the tower ladder carrying paint cans and brushes. Save Ferris Again, god bless!

    Day Off on a Budget: We found the paint and brushes near the base of the water tower, so no expenses were incurred. I wonder if that Pepsi collection can has seen 50 G’s since our message went up. Not if Jeanie Bueller has anything to say about it. Heartless wench!

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    Running Production Budget: $159

    –Matt Melis


    Italian Village and “Professional” Parking Garage

    On Location: 71 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60603 (Italian Village sign) and 172 West Madison Street, Chicago, IL, 60602 (parking garage)

    Ferris, Sloane, and Cameron learn an important lesson at the parking garage: Never entrust your father’s priceless automobile to a “professional” (“a professional what?”), especially if that attendant is original Sonic Youth drummer Richard Edson. We learned a lesson, too: Full-service is a dead concept. Not only was there no valet, but everything was entirely automated. You can’t improve a guy’s attitude with a finski if there’s no guy.

    Day Off on a Budget: While we didn’t have to tip anyone to take “extra special care” of our Mini Cooper, the parking rates have inflated quite a bit since Ferris’ joyride. We opted to street park up north and take public transportation downtown.

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    — 8 CTA transfers x $2.50 = $20

    Running Production Budget: $179

    –Matt Melis

    WLS 890 AM: “BAD” by Big Audio Dynamite

    The Clash’s singer and guitarist Mick Jones got weird and funky with Big Audio Dynamite, fusing together all sorts of genres, from his rootsy punk rock and swinging dance hall touchstones to more eclectic fare like hip-hop and reggae. The band’s 1985 deep cut “BAD” echoes throughout a downtown Chicago garage when Ferris, Cameron, and Sloane pull up with the Ferrari. It’s fitting; they are being “BAD”. But maybe I’m overreacting. Maybe Ferris isn’t such a bad guy. Cameron, on the hand…

    You can find this track on Big Audio Dynamite’s 1985 debut, This Is Big Audio Dynamite.

    –Michael Roffman


    “Sears” Tower

    On Location: Willis Tower, 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60606

    Arguably the single most iconic visual from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off captures Ferris, Sloane, and Cameron leaning against the windows of the Sears Tower skydeck, 103 stories and 1,353 feet above Chicago. As each stares out at the same breathtaking view, we learn so much about who they are by what they describe. Sloane sees peace, Ferris sees possibility, and Cameron sees his dad (pending doom). Thirty years later, I’m sure hearing the thoughts of our own cast as they looked out over the city would have been no less revealing. Staring out from 1,353 feet acts like a truth serum; everyone opens up.

    Save Ferris: No longer The Sears Tower (renamed in 2009) or the world’s tallest building (anyone … anyone? … right, Burj Khalifa in Dubai), as was the case when Ferris and friends visited, everything else about Willis Tower still screams, “Save Ferris!” Between the 103rd floor Ferris-themed gift shop, the Sloane and Cameron stunt-double mannequins, and the Official Abe Froman Sausage (priced to consume at $5.99) available in the snacketeria, we could have spent the whole day at that altitude partying like it was 1986.

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    Day Off on a Budget: I thought elevators were usually free. John Hughes took us to a tourist trap! Pony up.

    — 4 Adult Passes x $22.00 = $88.00

    Running Production Budget: $267

    –Matt Melis


    Dining at Snooty, Snotty Chez Quis

    On Location: 22 West Schiller Street, Chicago, IL 60610 (Don’t call for reservations!)

    Not even devastatingly handsome Abe Froman, the Sausage King of Chicago, can get a table at snooty, snotty Chez Quis these days, which is now a private residence. In fact, all the interior scenes were actually filmed at a Hollywood restaurant. While there was no lunch to be found, we hopped a gate, posed for a photo, and prayed Sergeant Peterson didn’t spot us on his neighborhood beat.

    Save Ferris: When we arrived at Chez Quis, a large party of Ferris fans on a sightseeing tour were departing. As we walked by, one, mouth agape, pointed and muttered, “Bueller … Bueller … Bueller.” I’m pretty sure he thought he was hallucinating. It’s comforting to know that there are people out there sicker than we are.

    Day Off on a Budget: It’s probably for the best that we couldn’t get seated at Chez Quis. Pancreas ain’t in our catering budget. The crew settled for Vitamin Waters and Diet Coke at a nearby Walgreens.

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    — 4 Beverages x $2.00 = $8.00

    Running Production Budget: $275

    –Matt Melis

    WLS 890 AM: “The Celebrated Minuet” by Luigi Boccherini

    Chez Quis isn’t like any other restaurant in Chicago — in fact, it’s so exclusive the place doesn’t even exist — but Hughes drives this idea home by using Luigi Boccherini’s 18th century third movement, oft-dubbed “The Celebrated Minuet”. It’s an easy way to say, “Hey, this place is really, really snooty.” Snooty? Snotty. Snotty? Yeah, that Maitre’d is such a jerk; how could he not believe a man of Ferris’ stature is the Sausage King of Chicago? Who does he think he is? Go back to the clubhouse!

    You can find this track on any classical compilation or any prestige film set in the 1700s.

    –Michael Roffman


    Take Us Out to the Ballgame

    On Location: Wrigley Field, 1060 West Addison Street, Chicago, IL, 60613

    Skipping gym and opting for a day game at The Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field was a no-brainer. We wanted to have our photos taken in the actual seats Ferris, Sloane, and Cameron sat in (Section 102, Row 5 or 6, Seats 101-103), but an usher (a Rooney relation?) chewed us out. Pardon my French, but that usher is so tight that if you stuck a lump of coal up his ass, in two weeks you’d have a diamond. Also worth noting is that while Sloane may seem disinterested in the game during the film, our Sloane is actually number 20,000 and climbing on the Cubs’ season tickets waiting list. Even more incentive for Ferris to pop the question somewhere more romantic than the Chicago Board of Trade.

    Save Ferris: People shouted out “Ferris, Sloane, Cameron” so many times that I thought they’d let them sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the Seventh Inning Stretch. We had to settle for a round of “Hey batta batta, suh-wing batta … he can’t hit, he can’t hit, he can’t hit, suh-wing batta.”

    Day Off on a Budget: A year ago, these tickets would’ve been much cheaper. The hottest start in Cubbies history set us back more than some peanuts and crackerjack.

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    — 4 Cubs tickets x $60 = $240
    — 4 hot dogs x $5.75 = $23
    — 4 drinks x $4.50 = $18
    — 1 foul ball = priceless

    Running Production Budget: $556

    –Matt Melis


    “A Place of Refuge”

    On Location: Art Institute of Chicago, 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60603

    John Hughes spoke rather eloquently about what the Art Institute sequence means to him. In a sense, it was a chance for him to return to “a place of refuge” from his youth and share works of art that he loved. In a similar way, this entire project has been about us returning to a movie from our youths that has always been an escape for us. Even as a young teen, this sequence stirred such powerful feelings of beauty, love, and fear. Getting to re-create some of these moments among friends and timeless works of art quietly brought me to tears.

    Save Ferris: Nowhere did we receive more love than at the Art Institute of Chicago. Patrons encouraged us (some even joining in our photo shoot), museum staff facilitated our shots, and Ferris, Sloane, and Cameron ended up being photographed even more than the Picassos. It’s nice to know we managed to dumb down culture a bit … if only for an hour.

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    Day Off on a Budget: Sloane came through big time on our adventure. Whenever she skips school, she heads down to the Art Institute of Chicago where she’s a member. This entitled her to free admission for her and a friend. Interestingly enough, she didn’t opt to cover Ferris’ admission. Let’s not read into that, though.

    — 2 General Admission Passes x $14 = $28
    — 1 Locker Rental x $1 = $1.00

    Running Production Budget: $585

    –Matt Melis

    WLS 890 AM: “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want” (instrumental) by The Dream Academy

    It’s a cardinal sin to remove Morrissey from any song, but between grief and nothing … I’ll take The Dream Academy’s cover of The Smiths’ epic 1984 B-side. Produced by Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, this rendition originally featured the vocal talents of singer Nick Laird-Clowes and peaked at No. 83 in the UK Singles Chart. But his vocals are stripped away when Ferris, Cameron, and Sloane absorb the Art Institute. It’s cool, though. They’ll return later on “The Edge of Forever” as Ferris kisses Sloane off.

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    You can find this track on The Dream Academy’s 1984 7″ single, “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want”.

    –Michael Roffman


    Ferris on Parade

    On Location: 230 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL, 60604 (Federal Center); 33 North Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL, 60602 (parade route); and 50 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL, 60602 (Daley Plaza)

    Just when you think you haven’t seen anything good today, Ferris shows up as The Walrus and grand marshal of the Von Steuben Day Parade rolled into one. Even if someone hasn’t see the film, odds are they’ve seen this scene. “Danke Schoen”, The Beatles, and the city of Chicago celebrating together in a moment of unabashed solidarity and joy — what more could you want? You’re crazy, Bueller!

    Save Ferris: I’d love to take credit for the parade we accidentally stumbled upon. We had spent a week thinking of how we could re-create one. Turns out Memorial Day had already solved the problem for us. Sometimes the truancy gods are just with you.

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    Day Off on a Budget: It costs nothing to twist and shout … as long as we don’t use more than 30 seconds of it in the making of this production. Thank goodness for fair-use laws.

    Running Production Budget: $585

    –Matt Melis

    WLS 890 AM: “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles

    Everyone’s covered “Twist and Shout”. The Isley Brothers, The Who, you name ’em, they’ve played it. But when you’re The Beatles, any cover automatically belongs to you. Especially when you soundtrack an iconic pop culture moment … like, say, when Ferris serenades all of downtown Chicago and turns the Windy City into the Swinging City. It’s a beautiful scene that thrives with a touch of surrealism. Having said that, a person should not believe in an -ism, he should believe in himself.

    You can find this track on The Beatles’ 1963 debut, Please Please Me.

    –Michael Roffman


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    Cameron Hits the Beach

    On Location: Glencoe Beach, 160 Hazel Avenue, Glencoe, IL, 60022

    Glencoe Beach is where Ferris and Sloane take Cameron when he “blows a microchip” after finding out the parking garage attendants racked up some serious mileage on his dad’s Ferrari. Initially, I had intended on directing Justin to channel the memory of his most terrifying childhood experience. As it turned out, heat stroke from wearing a hockey jersey and khakis all day long in 80-degree heat was all the motivation he needed to pull off this critical scene. Kid’s a pro.

    Incidentally, we parked our Mini Cooper next to a white version of Benjamin Braddock’s car from The Graduate.

    Save Ferris: Chicago was far more excited to see us than Glencoe. When we got there, a father and son were Bogarting our bench, and we had to wait for a wedding photographer and a pair of newly weds to clear out. Now, if you were in their position, wouldn’t you opt for the Ferris Bueller wedding photo package?

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    Day Off on a Budget: Soaking up the good vibrations at the beach is free … as long as you don’t set foot on the sand. We took the high ground and avoided paying admission.

    Running Production Budget: $585

    –Matt Melis

    WLS 890 AM: “I’m Afraid” by Blue Room (Instrumental)

    Written by Paul Joyner and Paul Mansfield, “I’m Afraid” sulks around with the quirky melodies of Talking Heads and the soulful cheese of ’80s Clapton (think: “Heaven Is One Step Away”). Not surprisingly, there’s zero info online about Blue Room, but know that they were lucky enough to appear on a split single John Hughes issued to his fan club members. If you couldn’t gather from the title itself, the song captures Cameron’s not-so-secret fears. Don’t worry, Cam, we’ll drive home backwards.

    You can find this track on, uh… Oh, just look for it on YouTube.

    –Michael Roffman


    Cameron’s House (It Is Done)

    On Location: Still at 370 Beech Street, Highland Park, IL 60035

    If Ferris has taught us anything, it’s that you can never go too far. Besides, if you had access to a Mini Cooper like this, would you take it back right away? Neither would we. So before we returned our Zipcar, we made our own stand (Thelma & Louise-style) back at Cameron’s house. In hindsight, we probably got a bit too caught up in the moment.

    Day Off on a Budget:  Pending criminal investigation and multiple lawsuits, it would be premature to count the Mini Cooper or garage window against our budget. As we found out from our day off, life moves pretty fast, almost as fast as cash leaving our wallets.

    Final Production Budget: $585 (Lawsuits pending)

    –Matt Melis

    WLS 890 AM: Signing Off

    John Hughes never felt the film warranted a proper soundtrack release. As he once told Lollypop Magazine, “I mean, would kids want ‘Dankeschöen’ and ‘Oh Yeah’ on the same record? They probably already had ‘Twist and Shout,’ or their parents did, and to put all of those together with the more contemporary stuff, like the (English) Beat — I just didn’t think anybody would like it.” Based on all the fan-made playlists that have cluttered the Internet over the years — including ours (below) — he was wrong.

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    But only technically. As a whole album, it doesn’t really work; instead, the collection of songs feels more like a scrapbook of nostalgic snapshots. Seriously, who wants to go from “Love Missile F1-11” into the theme song for I Dream of Jeannie?  And outside of wanting to mimic Ferris, there’s no reason to blast “Danke Schoen” minutes after you’ve been cruising to Yello. They’re great songs, but together, it’s like how films used to plaster their credits with stills of scenes you literally just watched.

    On the other hand, a proper release could have shed more light on some of the soundtrack’s lesser known acts, such as The Flowerpot Men or The Dream Academy, who both submitted excellent, memorable work. “Beat City” and “The Edge of Forever” should have been huge FM radio hits in their times, and there’s reason to believe they could have had there been a little more Bueller to take home. Now, they’re earworms for die-hard fans, but if you have the means, I highly recommend listening.

    Anyways, all this has made me kinda lightheaded. I think I oughta lie down.

    –Michael Roffman


    Click ahead to see the complete gallery from our Ferris Bueller’s Day Off adventure! 


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