In Popular Culture
Movies and television shows use establishing shots to orient audiences to location. For media set in Chicago, the 'L' is a common feature because it is such a distinctive part of the city. Some of the more prominent films they identify as shooting on and around the 'L' include The Fugitive (1993), The Sting (1973), and The Blues Brothers (1980). Running Scared (1986) shows a car chase taking place on the 'L' tracks. The sounds of the 'L' are also distinctive and thus also used to establish location.
The 'L' is referenced in Lynda Hull's poem Black Mare, published in 1990 in her book Star Ledger. It also appears in the credit sequence for The Bob Newhart Show.
Read more about this topic: Chicago 'L'
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