Ten Favorite Blues Brothers Lines: We’re Musicians (#8)

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Pop the popcorn, because it’s time for another look at the classic comedy/musical film The Blues Brothers. In addition to all of the terrific music in the film (honestly, if you had to pay today’s prices to see this movie, the scenes with Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin alone would make it worth it) and slapstick/visual comedy, there are some terrific lines in the film, many of which have sneaked into popular culture. This one hasn’t, but I love this next line on my list of favorites from the movie. #8: No, Ma’am. We’re Musicians. As Jake and Elwood set out to put their band back together they track down the musicians. One lead takes them to the residence of Mrs. Tarantino, where “Blue Lou” Marini and “Bones” Malone used to room. After mispronouncing her name, Jake and Elwood quiz her about the two musicians, including if they’d left a forwarding address and what their “personal habits” were like as boarders. Mrs. Tarantino (played by Toni Fleming) can only assume, based on the questions and those matching dark suits and sunglasses, that they are the law. “Are you the police?” she asks. In a manner that is reminiscent of Jack Webb’s Sergeant Joe Friday character, Elwood replies, “No, ma’am. We’re musicians.” (Ironically, Dan Aykroyd later played Joe Friday in a film adaptation of Dragnet.) Either the line or the deadpan delivers is funny. Put together, it’s magic. No, Ma’am. We’re Musicians. — Elwood Blues (Dan Aykroyd) May we come in?