June 1, 2007 (Berwyn, IL) — FitzGerald's Nightclub was transformed recently into a sixties-style Texas Juke Joint for Universal Pictures' new film "The Express" starring Dennis Quaid, Charles S. Dutton and Rob Brown ("Finding Forrester") as Ernie Davis, the first African-American athlete to win the Heisman Trophy. Davis' life and NFL career were cut short by leukemia.

Several other Chicagoland clubs were also considered for the two-minute scene but director Gary Fleder ("Kiss the Girls," "Runaway Jury") decided on the suburban music venue and gathering spot due to its classic roadhouse feel and roomy interior.

In the scene, the Syracuse University football team is celebrating their 1960 Cotton Bowl victory by dancing to boogie woogie tunes played by Chicago blues master, Lonnie Brooks and his band, including son Wayne Baker Brooks.

Lonnie Brooks has played numerous gigs at FitzGerald's over the years and was "so pleased" to be asked to be part of this film. "I'm having fun" said Lonnie between takes. "This is crazy but it's a good time."

Dennis Quaid, who plays with his own band, The Sharks, also enjoyed the location saying "this place is great! I wish we could have found it sooner."

FitzGerald's new neighbor, The Wishbone Restaurant, prepared spare ribs, fried chicken, tomato cucumber salad, red beans and rice and coleslaw for the scene. Chef Joel Nickson's southern cuisine has previously been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, but this was it's movie debut. The dishes were used in the scene and served to cast and crew as a crescent moon hung over the patio.

Pivotal scenes from "A League of Their Own," "The Color of Money," "Blink," and "Adventures in Babysitting" have all been filmed at FitzGerald's. The scenes of Rosie O'Donnell and Madonna dancing in "A League of Their Own," Paul Newman and Tom Cruise shooting pool in "The Color of Money" and Elizabeth Shue singing the blues in "Adventure in Babysitting" are all fan favorites and have put the Berwyn roadhouse on the map as a Chicago movie location.

Notes owner Bill FitzGerald, "It's a lot of fun to sit back and watch the process, especially when I don't have to worry about any of it. All of the movie crews and cast have been great and Dennis Quaid was nice enough to pose a picture with me and my daughters.

FitzGerald's offers live music nightly Tuesday through Sunday. Wishbone will be open for lunch and dinner on Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday for brunch, lunch and dinner from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday for brunch from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For more info please visit wishbonechicago.com or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.