From the creative genius of two of Hollywood’s best comedians came The Blues Brothers, adapted from the synonymous Saturday Night Live duo. After their popular 1978 television debut (and their many subsequent appearances), John Belushi and Dan Akroyd brought the characters to the screen for a romp through a blues-filled film. Many of the performances in the film are actually done live while filming (rather than lip-synched, as was the standard), including those by James Brown and John Lee Hooker. Carrie Fisher appears in the big-screen adaptation; it’s no surprise, as she just so happened to be the guest host on the SNL episode during which the Blues Brothers first appeared. The film also features cameos from musical gods and goddesses, including Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, and Aretha Franklin.

The origin of the fictional friends begins in Oregon, of all places, during Belushi’s stint filming cult classic Animal House. Tired of rock and roll, Belushi was introduced to blues by a friend and loved it. After performing on a few occasions with friends, he recruited Akroyd, adapted John Lee Hooker’s sunglasses and some beatnik black suits to the act, and made history. With the release of their double platinum album Briefcase Full of Blues in 1978, popularity for the fiction band was high enough to ensure the endorsement of a feature film.

When “Joliet” Jake Blues is finally released from prison, his brother Elwood picks him up in a converted police cruiser and takes him to the Catholic orphanage where they were raised. To their dismay, the brothers learn that the church has ceased supporting the orphanage, leaving it to the mercy of its creditors who demand payment on back taxes within eleven days. To the brothers Blue, the answer seems simple: get the band back together and stage a huge gig to save the orphanage.

But their “mission from God” to raise five grand is plagued throughout their travels as they seem to make enemies at every turn, including Neo Nazis, ex-fiance's, and the respectable law enforcement officials of the Illinois Highway Patrol.

At the time of its release, the film wasn’t just renowned for comedy and great musical performances, but it also held the record for most number of cars crashed. Twelve different Bluesmobiles -- each converted from a 1974 Dodge Monaco and each featuring the exact specification enumerated by Elwood -- were used for the film. Although portrayed by actors (and despite Belushi’s untimely passing), the Blues Brothers still occasionally perform. The popularity spawned a sequel (Blues Brothers 2000) as well as an appearance during a Super Bowl halftime show.

And of course, when visiting Universal Studios in Hollywood, ask for Babs.