‘It’s GROUNDHOG DAY!!!!!’ – Chicago Tribune newstrendslive

Okay, campers, rise and shine!!! And don’t forget your booties ‘cuz it’s cooooooold out there today, Chicago!!!

This month marks the 30th anniversary of the release of “Groundhog Day,” starring Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott and Bill Murray as curmudgeonly weather forecaster Phil Connors. Many scenes from the movie, which was directed by Harold Ramis, were filmed in Woodstock.

The McHenry County suburb hosts its own Groundhog Days festival each year with trivia, pancake breakfasts, walking tours of filming locations, a drink to world peace and prognostication by a live groundhog. Events there continue through this weekend, so don’t worry if you can’t today be among the “thousand people freezing their butts off waiting to worship a rat,” as Connors said.

The two-hour movie is being shown at a few local theaters today, but is also available on AMC and through a variety of streaming options.

“Groundhog Day” stands as the most well-known movie tied to Feb. 2, but what did Tribune critics make of it? I got you, babe — reviews of the movie and musical versions are listed below.

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And, catch me Monday mornings on WLS-AM’s “The Steve Cochran Show” for a look at “This week in Chicago history.”

Thanks for reading!

— Kori Rumore, visual reporter

Chicago history | More newsletters | Puzzles & Games | Today’s eNewspaper edition

The Woodstock Opera House, located in the 100 block of Van Buren Street in Woodstock, was featured as the Pennsylvanian Hotel in the 1993 film "Groundhog Day," starring Bill Murray. — The Woodstock Opera House, located in the 100 block of Van Buren Street in Woodstock, was featured as the Pennsylvanian Hotel in the 1993 film “Groundhog Day,” starring Bill Murray. (Lou Foglia / Chicago Tribune)

But say you can’t make it here, to the snowy heart of McHenry County, in February: The Woodstock Groundhog Days Committee whose official motto is “Every Day is Groundhog Day in Woodstock, IL!” — offers a quite thorough self-guided walking tour. View some of the sites along the tour.

Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell and Chris Elliott in "Groundhog Day." — Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell and Chris Elliott in “Groundhog Day.” (Columbia Pictures)

Can you guess how many stars Siskel gave “Groundhog Day?” Find out.

Director Harold Ramis works on the Woodstock location of "Groundhog Day," in 1993. — Director Harold Ramis works on the Woodstock location of “Groundhog Day,” in 1993. (Columbia Pictures)

Vintage Chicago Tribune

Weekly

The Vintage Tribune newsletter is a deep dive into the Chicago Tribune’s archives featuring photos and stories about the people, places and events that shape the city’s past, present and future.

At the heart of director and co-writer Harold Ramis’ peak film achievement, “Groundhog Day” (1993), there’s an idea that comes straight out of a theater game popularized by improvisation pioneer Viola Spolin, the mother of Compass Players founder Paul Sills. Read more.

From 1993: All herald Ramis — From “Animal House” to “Groundhog Day,” his comic genius strikes “deep in the heart, where we all share things”
From 2014: Harold Ramis, Chicago actor, writer and director, dead at 69

The Woodstock Theater, located in the 200 block of Main Street in Woodstock, was featured as the Alpine Theater in the 1993 film "Groundhog Day," starring Bill Murray. — The Woodstock Theater, located in the 200 block of Main Street in Woodstock, was featured as the Alpine Theater in the 1993 film “Groundhog Day,” starring Bill Murray. (Lou Foglia / Chicago Tribune)

Surprisingly, “Groundhog Day” did not have an advanced screening in the McHenry County city.

“The town was good enough to shoot in, but not good enough to bring the movie to,” said Matt Wakely, public relations manager for Classic Cinemas, which operated the Woodstock Theatre, in January 1993. Read more.

From 1993: Groundhogs sink their teeth into their movie roles, but Murray called them “little ugly rats”

The Woodstock Moose Lodge, located in the 400 block of Clay Street in Woodstock, was featured in the dance scene of 1993 film "Groundhog Day." — The Woodstock Moose Lodge, located in the 400 block of Clay Street in Woodstock, was featured in the dance scene of 1993 film “Groundhog Day.” (Lou Foglia / Chicago Tribune)

“Like Murray, caught in a time loop until he discovers selflessness, Woodstock also found its best self Feb. 2, 1993. And now it hopes Feb. 3 never arrives,” Christopher Borrelli wrote. Read more.

Tim Minchin, left, wrote songs for "Groundhog Day: The Musical," while Danny Rubin wrote the book by adapting his screenplay for the 1993 film starring Bill Murray. — Tim Minchin, left, wrote songs for “Groundhog Day: The Musical,” while Danny Rubin wrote the book by adapting his screenplay for the 1993 film starring Bill Murray. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty)

Rubin lived in the Chicago area while he earned a master’s degree at Northwestern University. Read more.

Chris Jones: “Groundhog Day” musical has a lot of plot to rush through but is still a worthy winter escape.
Chris Jones: “Groundhog Day” on Broadway — The show must (still) go on
From 2017: “Groundhog Day” musical in London never repeats the movie

Join our Chicagoland history Facebook group and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago’s past.

Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Ron Grossman and Marianne Mather at rgrossman@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com.

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