Aug 13, 2023 - Things to Do

"The Fugitive" turns 30: Revisiting '90s Chicago scenes

Photo of a man standing in front of a movie poster

Harrison Ford poses in front of the movie poster at "The Fugitive" premiere in 1993. Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Inc.

This month marks the 30th anniversary of Andrew Davis' spectacular Chicago classic "The Fugitive."

Why it matters: Harrison Ford's Richard Kimble stumbles (literally) through iconic, and sometimes unexpected, city locations to prove he "didn't kill his wife!" — making the film an ideal time capsule for 1990s Chicago.

What's happening: We visited some spots featured in the film to see how they've held up since the movie debuted in August 1993.

The murder: 336 W. Wisconsin St.

Photo of a woman standing in front of a building
The scene of the crime. Photo: Carrie Shepherd/Axios

We see flashbacks throughout the movie of — spoiler alert! — Helen's murder in the Lincoln Park house. The carpet, the slick, white cabinetry, and the open staircase really scream '90s interior design.

The phone call: Wells Street Bridge

Photo of a train going over a bridge in the city
Pay phone? What's a pay phone? GIF: Justin Kaufmann/Axios

Kimble calls his lawyer from a pay phone, and U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard and his team are, of course, able to decipher Kimble's exact location from the call.

  • He's not in St. Louis; he's six blocks away, near the Merchandise Mart.

The new clothes: 437 S. Clark St.

Photo of a man standing in front of a sign that says  Hotel Men Only
Justin without his tweed jacket. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios

The film shoots all over downtown, including City Hall, the old Cook County Hospital and the St. Patrick's Day parade.

  • When Kimble escapes the U.S. Marshals after the parade, he heads to a men-only hotel, where he reemerges with his tweed sport coat — his wardrobe for the rest of the film. That strip in the South Loop remains largely unchanged.

The discovery: 11219 S. Saint Lawrence Ave.

GIF of a woman running in front of a house
Monica reenacts the movie in Pullman. GIF: Monica Eng/Axios

Kimble finds his villain Sykes' home in Pullman and also some damning evidence in photos from a Florida pharmaceutical junket. Kimble calls Gerard from the house, leading the Marshals to Pullman (which they get to pretty quickly from downtown).

  • Monica gives her interpretation of the movie in front of the Row houses that make Pullman unique.

The reveal: 720 S. Michigan Ave.

Photo of a facade of a hotel
A maze of amazing scenes. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios

The thrilling final sequence takes place all over the Hilton Chicago (formerly the Conrad Hilton) in the South Loop. Covering the ballroom, the laundry and the roof, the movie offers an extensive look into the grand hotel.

  • The famous "You switched the samples!" scene happens here, plus some great local newscaster cameos from Lester Holt and Pam Zekman.
avatar

Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Chicago.

🌱

Support local journalism by becoming a member.

Learn more

More Chicago stories

No stories could be found

Chicagopostcard

Get a free daily digest of the most important news in your backyard with Axios Chicago.

🌱

Support local journalism by becoming a member.

Learn more