Lights. Camera. Action. – Movie magic awaits in Oak Brook

By Bill Esbrook

Oak Brook is, most if not all residents would agree, replete with historic sites, art, culture, and great natural beauty.

From the Mayslake Peabody Estate, Drury Lane Theatre, Oak Brook Polo Field, Oak Brook Center, Fullersburg Woods, the Graue Mill Museum, the Drake Hotel, and on and on, the village is a filmmaker’s dream location.

However, despite the terrific attractions and scenic wonderlands, the Internet Movie Database lists very few films that were, at least partially, filmed in Oak Brook.

Some more prominent titles include Holiday Baggage, a Christmas rom-com starring Cheryl Ladd and Barry Bostwick;  Super Size Me, Morgan Spurlock’s examination of the fast food industry; and Anguish, a supernatural feature.

Other more minor offerings, a little bit on the wild side, are entitled Shower of Blood and Grave Robbers from Outer Space.

Possibly the best,  though, was the 1991 movie Only the Lonely, which mostly took place in Chicago – and although not a lot of records are kept about where the suburban scene(s) were filmed, it appears one suburban scene is set on the grounds of a stately Oak Brook mansion.

To summarize the storyline, a Chicago cop, a bachelor played by the late John Candy, would like to settle down and start a family, but his meddling mother (Maureen O’Hara), with whom he lives, has different plans for her son. When Candy meets Ally Sheedy, who portrays a shy beautician at her father’s funeral home, sparks fly. But at every turn, Mom (O’Hara) attempts to block his path to romance. The suburban scene is pivotal, in which Candy discusses the situation with his brother (Kevin Dunn).

In her very first film and very first scene, there is actress Teri McEvoy, whose role is that of Candy’s sister-in-law. This author caught up with the veteran actress in Evanston, who teaches improvisation classes at Westminster Place. She also donates her time to Mayslake Village in Oak Brook, instructing in improv.
McEvoy recently admitted that she had a few butterflies acting in her initial role with O’Hara, not to mention another legend in Anthony Quinn.

“It was the first movie I was ever cast in,” said McEvoy. “I had done a ton of commercials up until that point, but I had never done a movie. My first film and my first scene was with Maureen O’Hara. Her notes to me were ‘stomach in and chest out!’”

“I thought,” McEvoy added with a laugh, “well, that was much easier for her than for me! I was a little nervous, but the director, Chris Columbus, was so lovely, and Maureen was absolutely lovely.”

She reflected on the gentleness and kindness of co-star Candy. “John was the first person I met on set,” said McEvoy, a Second City veteran. “He came right up to me and introduced himself. It was a wonderful cast and a great experience for my first movie.”
McEvoy used that performance as a springboard to parts in other hit movies as well, such as Contagion, and Home Alone 2.

Surprisingly, the current owners of the Oak Brook house, where filming took place, said they had no idea a movie was shot there. An official at the Village Office said that regulations state if filming takes place in or on the grounds of a private residence, no permit is needed.

Chicago-based Jackie Bucksbaum, first assistant director (second unit) for Only the Lonely, has some very fond memories of the shoot. “I would say that working with Maureen O’Hara, who was a legend in Hollywood back to the John Wayne days, and working with Anthony Quinn, the old Hollywood great (was amazing),” said Bucksbaum.

“I was in my late 20s at the time, and a big fan of Hollywood, and those two were bigger than life for me,” he con-tinued.” And, of course, John Candy, always such a gentleman, and I would work on a number of films together. He was always so good to the crew and would crack us up between takes.”

Despite some brief encounters with Hollywood, it appears that producers, directors, and location managers are missing the boat when it comes to selecting the village as a picturesque place to film. The Oak Brook production list isn’t long, and it should be. Studios, the ball is in your court. ■