Casting Chris Columbus wrote the part of Rose specifically for Maureen O'Hara, but did not know that she had retired from acting and was living in the
Virgin Islands. Columbus contacted O'Hara's younger brother
Charles B. Fitzsimons, a producer and actor in the film industry, to ask him to send O'Hara a copy of the script, which he did, telling her, "This you do!". O'Hara read the script and loved it. She was reported to have replied to Fitzsimons, "This I do!". However, she would not commit until she met co-star
John Candy. Co-star Jim Belushi recounted this story: On the set of
Only the Lonely, the producers stuck Maureen O’Hara in a tiny trailer. When John Candy complained on her behalf, he was told the budget was being spent on the picture, not on accommodations for old movie stars. Candy responded by giving O'Hara
his trailer and going without one until the studio finally caved in and got a trailer for each actor.
John Hughes co-produced the film. This movie marked Macaulay Culkin's third film with Hughes and Candy (after
Home Alone and
Uncle Buck). Other than
New Port South, it was the only film Hughes produced that he did not write.
Filming 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 façade 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 1990). 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
Rate 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 church scenes were filmed at
St. John Cantius Church in
West Town on 825 N Carpenter St. 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.
Music Roy Orbison's song "Only the Lonely" 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 and conducted by
Maurice Jarre. The soundtrack album was released by
Varèse Sarabande, featuring 28 minutes of Jarre's score and the songs "Only the Lonely" and "Someone Like You." ==Release==