Taglines: The Man, The Woman, The Mother.
Only the Lonely movie storyline. Writer – director Chris Columbus mines Paddy Chaveysky’s Marty for this bittersweet comedy about a lonely 38-year old Chicago cop dominated by his harridan mother. Danny Muldoon (John Candy), in spite of being well known and well liked in his neighborhood, still lives at home with his mother Rose (Maureen O’Hara, returning to the screen after a twenty year absence) and spends most of his time worrying about her.
One night at the local Irish bar, he meets the shy Theresa Luna (Ally Sheedy), whose father is the local funeral director, and both Danny and Theresa immediately fall in love. The only obstacle to their happiness is the jaded opinions of Danny’s friends. Rose, in particular, launches into a bigoted Italian salvo that intimidates Danny, making it difficult for him to continue the relationship.
Only the Lonely is a 1991 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Chris Columbus, and stars John Candy, Maureen O’Hara, Ally Sheedy and Anthony Quinn. The film is a comedic take on the premise established in the 1953 television play and film Marty.
Most of the film was shot on location in Chicago. Danny and Rose Muldoon’s house is located at the intersection of Clark Street and Roscoe Street, as is the front facade of O’Neils’ Pub. The inside of the pub was shot at Emmett’s Pub, a Chicago landmark that was also used in Uncle Buck, another film with John Candy.
At the request of producer John Hughes (a Chicagoan and big fan of the Chicago White Sox) and sports fan John Candy, the baseball stadium where Danny and Theresa’s first date took place was arranged to be set at old Comiskey Park (home of the Chicago White Sox until 1991). Hughes hastily arranged the filming, as the stadium was slated to be torn down imminently.
There is also a shot showing old Comiskey Park and the new U.S. Cellular Field, the current home of the White Sox, under construction next door. Comiskey Park was located at the corner of 35th St. and Shields Ave., on the South Side of Chicago. The scene where Danny and Theresa kiss along Lake Michigan is located at Lincoln Park, Chicago, and the dinner scene was shot at One Ambassador East, also known as the Ambassador East Hotel, located at 1301 North State Parkway in Chicago’s Gold Coast.
The final scene with Danny and Theresa was shot at the Amtrak station in Niles, Michigan, which was renamed to Willoughby and decorated with Christmas lights for the filming.
Roy Orbison’s hit song “Only the Lonely”, on which the movie’s title is based, is played in its entirety in the movie’s opening scene. “Someone Like You” by Van Morrison is played during one of Danny and Theresa’s dates. “Dreams to Remember” by Etta James is played, also in its entirety.
Also, “Pachelbel’s Canon” is played briefly during the wedding scene. The film’s original music was composed by Maurice Jarre. The soundtrack album was released by Varese Sarabande, featuring 28 minutes of Jarre’s score and the songs “Only the Lonely” and “Someone Like You.”
Only the Lonely (1991)
Directed by: Chris Columbus
Starring: John Candy, Maureen O’Hara, Ally Sheedy, Kevin Dunn, Anthony Quinn, James Belushi, Bert Remsen, Joe Greco, Marvin J. McIntyre, Macaulay Culkin
Screenplay by: Chris Columbus
Production Design by: John Muto
Cinematography by: Julio Macat
Film Editing by: Raja Gosnell, Peter Teschner
Costume Design by: Mary E. Vogt
Set Decoration by: Rosemary Brandenburg
Art Direction by: Dan Webster
Music by: Maurice Jarre
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: May 24, 1991
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