Bill Murray celebrates "Harold Ramis Day" on Groundhog Day
CHICAGO (CBS) -- This Groundhog Day, Woodstock Willie did not see his shadow -- and thus said we should expect an early spring this year.
But at a ceremony in Chicago on Friday, a groundhog named Chicago Harry did not agree.
But first off, why is there a groundhog prognosticating on the trajectory of winter in Woodstock, Illinois? The answer, of course, is that in the 1993 film "Groundhog Day," Woodstock stood in for Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania -- home of Groundhog Day celebrations since the 1880s.
Ever since the movie came out 31 years ago, Woodstock Willie has been up there with Punxsutawney Phil in the real Punxsutawney among large-rodent long-range winter forecasters.
Members of the cast of the iconic film reunited for the first time at Navy Pier Friday, marking 31 years since the film was released. But Friday was also about honoring Harold Ramis and commemorating 10 years since his death.
Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) officially declared Friday as "Harold Ramis Day." The Chicago native was the co-writer, actor, and director extraordinaire of "Groundhog Day." Ramis played a neurologist in the film.
Many gathered for the event at Harry Caray's at Navy Pier to honor Ramis -- a man known as warm, welcoming, calm, funny, and creative.
As the cast made their way to the stage, all were serenaded, taken back to 1993 by "I've Got You Babe" by Sonny & Cher. That song has actually been around since 1965, but it made a comeback in '93 thanks to the movie. It appears, of course, as the song playing on the radio when Bill Murray's character -- TV weatherman Phil Connors -- is awoken by his clock radio on Groundhog Day, over and over and over again.
True to form, "I Got You Babe" played when the clock turned from 2:59 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, and the ceremony began.
Murray reflected on the day and Ramis smiled down on the festivities.
"I think it's great that we're here and, I don't want to be too Irish, but it's very nice of Harold to make it a very nice, mild day for today," Murray said. "He's up there stirring the clouds around, making that low pressure move out to Indiana and just drenching, ruining those people's lives over there in Indiana."
Ramis' wife, Erica, was in attendance, beaming with pride as many spoke wonders about her husband. She even read a letter from former President Barack Obama encouraging people to enjoy the day as Ramis would.
The ceremony included re-enactments of Punxsutawney festival emcee Buster Green (Brian Doyle-Murray) knocking at the tree stump with his cane, where a groundhog named Chicago Harry made his prediction.
Ken Hudson Campbell ("man in hallway"), Robin Duke (Doris the waitress), Marita Geraghty (Nancy Taylor), Richard Henzel (the DJ), Don Rio McNichols (drum player), David Pasquesi (the psychiatrist), and Peggy Roeder (the piano teacher) were also in attendance.
And unlike Woodstock Willie, and Punxsutawney Phil, Chicago Harry saw his shadow -- and predicted six more weeks of winter after all.
