Take the Day Off, Ferris Bueller Style
RedEye intern hopes to recreate classic movie
By MATT BARTOSIK
Updated 1:11 PM CST, Fri, Sep 11, 2009
Sure, most of us had the day off work just this past Labor Day, but the folks at RedEye want to give you another day off.
And not just any day off. They want to give you Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
After John Hughes died on August 6, one of the interns at the Trib's RedEye got the idea to recreate one of the director's most popular films:
"That's right, from the actual school where Ferris and Cameron pick up Sloan (that's 2300 Shermer Rd, Northbrook, IL for you nerds out there) to the Art Institute (where I might have a reflection on my life or something fun like that) to a Cubs game to THE ACTUAL PARADE that he sang 'Danke Schoen' on the float at and then back to the house that they used as Cameron's in Highland Park," writes Ernest Wilkins.
If the mission wasn't challenging enough, Wilkins intends on performing all the tasks in the same amount of time it took the characters to do them in the movie.
Wilkins isn't the first to attempt such an endeavor. Jeff Ruby of ChicagoMag.com attempted to recreate the movie last year, but he was tripped up by the timing: "@#$*ing Edens. It takes two hours ... to go 24 miles. Since we've missed our deadline, we skip the movie's trip to Sloane's swimming pool and jump into the lake."
Wilkins has put together an itinerary for this Saturday, September 12. Granted, one can't exactly play hooky from school on a Saturday, but it's the only day when both a Cubs game and the Von Steuben parade will be taking place. And in place of "Chez Quis," which doesn't actually exist, Wilkins will be lunching at Giordano's (730 N Rush St).
But remember, this isn't just Wilkins' day off. He wants Chicagoans to join the fun. Along with various "Save Ferris" stations throughout the city, the RedEye is hosting a "Save Ferris Charity Dance-Off for Charity."
"We're going to set up somewhere, flash mob-style, and have ourselves a little 80's dance party," writes Wilkins. "I'll be Tweeting out the secret location, and yes, 'Twist and Shout' will be played."
Twitter accounts can be found at @ErnestWilkins and @RedEyeChicago. (And of course, don't forget @NBCChicago)
If all goes according to plan, the day will end at Cameron's house (370 Beech St, Highland Park) before Mom and Dad get home (6:00 p.m.).
If Wilkins pulls this off, he'll be one popular Chicagoan. The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, wastoids, dweebies... they will all adore him. They'll think he's a righteous dude.
And remember, the key to faking out the parents is the clammy hands.
Matt Bartosik, a "between blogs" blogger, is the Sausage King of Chicago.
Copyright NBC Local Media / NBC Chicago
First Published: Sep 10, 2009 10:15 AM CST
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