Memories of John Candy

For many movie fans who love comedy, there are few better than John Candy. He was once in a lifetime. During the 80’s, Candy delivered in so many funny roles that make us remember him so fondly.

Today marks 28 years since he’s been gone. While it’s hard to believe it’s been so long, the memories of what John Candy provided for audiences remain. Unique characters like Del Griffith, Buck Russell, Jack Chester, Chet Ripley and even his great portrayal of Dean Andrews are still fresh in our hearts.

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The video tribute above is worth watching. Candy made us smile and laugh. He played lovable characters who we could identify with. None better than Del Griffith in the memorable Planes, Trains and Automobiles. A flawed person who brought so much quality due to the shower curtain ring salesman he was and funny stories that drove Neal Page crazy. Expertly played by Steve Martin, who is an advertising executive who gets stuck due to a winter storm while trying to get home to his family for Thanksgiving.

They were opposites in every sense. Yet the comedic genius of director John Hughes had the two characters come together to make a movie full of adventure, laughs and hilarious moments that made fans smile. The way they get stuck at the airport and then travel by bus, train and eventually automobile which really is the craziest part of the movie.

It created scenes that we can’t get enough of. Del can’t quite get comfortable while driving and eventually takes his eyes off the road and the car spins about 10 times before he hits the brakes. What follows is him going the wrong way leading to travelers on a parallel highway trying to warn him and Neal. His reaction is priceless. How would he know where they’re going? It leads to the following chaos.

The reaction afterwards from both Del and Neal is priceless. Almost killed by two honking trucks, they survive and then watch as the car burns. This leads to laughter. It remains one of the funniest scenes ever.

Once cooler heads prevail after they have it out, Del does get Neal home and sees him off at the train station in Chicago. But as he is full of warm thoughts of Thanksgiving dinner with his loving wife and beautiful kids and family, he starts to think about Del. The funny moments they had.

Eventually, he comes back to a conversation they had in their motel room. It’s then that he realizes nothing is as it seems. It creates a special moment that really hits home for viewers. It’s why Planes, Trains and Automobiles holds up. It’s the ultimate Thanksgiving movie. While we do laugh throughout, the moment when Neal returns to the empty train station to confront Neal is one of the saddest scenes. It’s emotional.

In the end, Neal realizes what he must do for Del by inviting him for Thanksgiving dinner. This movie came out in 1987. It remains a classic. Candy and Martin played off each other so well. Martin was great as the very dismissive Neal Page. Candy played the every man in the hustling Del Griffith. He shined in it.

They don’t make movies like that anymore. We could echo similar for his Uncle Buck character. Another flawed person who relies mostly on bookmaking to make money off horse races. However, he must take care of his brother’s teenage daughter, younger son (played by Macaulay Culkin before Home Alone fame) and their younger sister.

It makes for another feel good movie that shows how Candy is able to elevate Buck throughout. He looks after Tia, who wants to hangout with her friends and a boy whose intentions aren’t good. Something Buck notices. She resents her uncle for watching over her. Classic teenage rebellion.

Eventually, Buck wins her over by being there by showing up at a party where ironically Young MC hit “Bust A Move,” is playing. He saves Tia from being raped. Then they harass the deviant and both share a laugh afterwards.

Uncle Buck is successful because it’s very relatable. If it’s on, I watch. It doesn’t fade away. Sometimes, I wonder about how things are now due to phones, texting and social media. Back then, we didn’t rely on modern technology. There wasn’t any internet. Only regular phones in our homes. The times have changed.

Candy was also in the comedy Stripes and part of The Blues Brothers where he played the funny detective after Jake and Elwood Blues. The car chase remains one of the classic scenes.

He even took on a more serious role as the controversial Dean Andrews in JFK. From looking at old footage, I thought Candy’s portrayal was good. He must’ve really studied Dean’s mannerisms and slang. It was one of his last roles.

Who could forget Cool Runnings? He was the coach of the Jamaican bobsled team. That was an underrated flick based on a true story. I really liked it.

Summer Rental saw Candy as the ultimate Dad taking his family on vacation to a nice beach house. While they all have fun, he gets hurt and winds up stuck in the house. When he isn’t, unwelcome guests take over the place to which his Jack Chester character erupts and gets everyone out.

He strikes up an odd friendship with Scully, who knows a lot about boats. Eventually, they come up against the loathsome tenant who doesn’t lose at sailing races. Jack puts himself on the line. If they win, they get to stay for the next two weeks free. The ending makes for great entertainment. It’s another funny movie.

I wonder how much more Candy had to give. He was 43 when he passed away on March 4, 1994. His brand of comedy was larger than life much like him. But the fact that he took a serious role in JFK showed that he had more acting chops.

How do you remember John Candy? Whenever I think of him, I smile and laugh. That’s what he would want.

The true meaning of Thanksgiving

On a late Thursday night at home here in my bed on the South Shore of Staten Island, I’m in deep thought about lots of stuff.

It’s been a quiet Thanksgiving for our family. Just me, Justin and our caring and loving Dad. I spoke to my Mom about her turkey with her husband. She sent me pictures via text. It looked great. She’s always been a great cook. When I was younger, I used to tell her she could open a restaurant. The things we say to our parents, paying them the ultimate compliment.

While I could never do it without either Mom or Dad even if they’re no longer together, I admire the unique qualities they have. They’re caring, considerate, loving, unselfish and passionate. Always there to support me and my brother no matter what. For that, I’m most grateful. 🙏

During this special time of year, we are thankful for family and friends. I consider our close friends extended family members, or our Inner Circle. Not just a cool group created by All Elite Wrestling star Chris Jericho. It certainly applies to our lives. Without the love and support for one another, it wouldn’t be the same. To quote the late great Heavy D, “I got nothing but love for you.”

If family, friends and your inner circle are what this holiday stands for, then we are putting things in proper perspective. However, I’m always reminded every Thanksgiving of my all-time favorite Thanksgiving movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles. A John Hughes classic prominently featuring the legendary John Candy and great Steve Martin.

Picture two completely different people trying to get home to their families in time for Thanksgiving. There’s the more serious Neal Page played by Martin, who’s in New York City for an insurance convention. He wants nothing more than to make it back to Chicago to see his wife, lovely children and family.

Then, you have the very quirky and personable Del Griffith, expertly played by Candy. A man of the people who sells anything from shower curtain rings to even hustling other cool materials like earrings to a younger crowd when things get dicey.

Somehow, they run into each other when Griffith accidentally steals Page’s cab which he paid for. He unknowingly didn’t see him and this infuriates Page, who settles for another taxi on the way to the airport.

As fate would have it, they wind up meeting up at the airport and on the same flight which has to land in Missouri due to a snowstorm. Now, they’re stuck in another place hoping to track down a way to get to Chicago. Only Del learns there are no connecting flights available. How is Neal going to get home in time to see his family?

First, they travel by bus and poor Neal gets busted for watching a young couple make out when it was Del who told him to check that out. Busted. Hilarious. Then, they travel by train and Neal feels at ease thinking he’ll finally arrive home. At this point, he splits up with Del, who’s been getting on his nerves. Yet it’s Griffith who’s doing everything he can to help Page get home. He knows people and even gets them a room at a motel thanks to knowing the manager.

When the train somehow breaks down as only it could, Neal and Del are reunited with Page helping carry Griffith’s luggage across a field. They eventually wind up getting a ride in a pickup truck and must brave the elements freezing outside. It’s a funny scene.

There are too many parts of this Turkey Day classic to get into. From them being robbed in a motel to Neal absolutely losing it when a bus dropped him off without a rental car and he throws his agreement away and slips down a snow bank and has to walk back and wait in line while the smiling female rental agent is laughing it up on the phone about her Thanksgiving plans. He lights into her and goes too far cursing up a storm. It’s hilarious.

Eventually, it’s Griffith who rescues his punched out friend he nearly hit due to Page’s sarcastic mouth getting him into trouble. He got a car and they share the driving duties. But Del goes a little overboard trying to adjust his seat due to his coat being stuck. He completely loses control of the vehicle and it does a 360 when he hits the brakes.

This awakens Neal, who asks if everything is okay. To which Del makes up a deer story and says he’s fine. Little do they know what’s next. I won’t spoil it. Let’s just say one of the funniest movie scenes leaves you in crying laughter. It’s so hysterical. After the car becomes unsafe for travel despite Del’s best wishes where I have no idea how Candy kept a straight face (how many takes) explaining it to a cop who caught him speeding 78 MPH.

Somehow, thanks to Del, who finds a free ride in the back of a truck home, they wind up in Chicago by the train station. Despite the arguments they had earlier, Del has gotten Neal to his destination. After having been through so much, he’s very thankful and tells Del he’s a little wiser on Thanksgiving Day as they say goodbye and Neal gets his train.

It’s only after Neal Page is comfortably riding home that he starts to replay some of the crazy things that happened. That includes some of the funny moments and more serious ones. It’s the last one that sticks with him the most and he realizes then that Del Griffith hasn’t told him everything, leaving out a very important detail about his wife and situation.

It sets up this final ending to a just very emotional movie that combines comedy, ruthlessness, seriousness and even sadness to make it the perfect holiday treat.

That scene is what I define as the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Steve Martin’s character Neal Page does something remarkable for John Candy’s Del Griffith character, out of the sheer kindness of his heart. Life lesson learned.

It’s that kind of ❤ that Planes, Trains and Automobiles has that makes it so special.

The lesson here is this. It’s not about the food. It’s about the people you share your good times with. It’s about having a good heart. Giving is everything in life. Don’t forget it.

A difference in comedy

What makes good comedy these days? I always come back to one answer. Not taking yourself seriously. See the above related video of Saturday Night Live legend Chris Farley showing up as Newt Gingrich in hair weave and perfect costume while addressing the Republican Congress during 1995.

Contrast that with the redundant garbage the current SNL sells to viewers. How many times can one see a washed up Alec Baldwin as soon to be former President Trump? They’ve pushed the same point for all four years. We hate Trump. Ironically, the same guy who made NBC a slew of money and ratings as the star of Celebrity Apprentice.

They even invited stand-up comedian Dave Chapelle back to host following the election like four years ago. I didn’t bother with it. Why? So I could hear them mock Trump for some of his bizarre behavior and laugh like lunatics that he got Covid. Come on. That’s not funny. I love Chapelle. But some things should just be left alone.

I feel like the main difference between the 90’s when SNL was at its peak thanks to a great cast, and now is the way they present things. Being one-sided isn’t healthy. They used to hit both sides equally. Nothing was out of bounds. Which reminds me. What will become of the alleged voter fraud? Or is that a cover-up so no actions are taken thanks to left leaning publications The Washington Compost Post and New York Crimes Times not bothering to do any investigative work?!?!

My guess is the latter. The truth will probably never be known. Much like how the American government continues to withhold key information on the assassination of 35th President John F. Kennedy. It will be 57 years in eight days since the darkest day in history took place in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963. It’s sad that the American public will never know the whole truth on the government conspiracy to murder JFK.

Oh well. You know how we can be sarcastic. I am to my close friends a lot. They know me so well and not to take me too seriously. I am a lot funnier in person or even online when conversing with people I love. Maybe it doesn’t come out here due to my more serious nature. That’s more in part to where we are. I hope one day it gets better.

If you want to laugh, go back and watch the SNL Celebrity Jeopardy skits hosted by Will Ferrell as Alex Trebek. You talk about a legend. It’s sad that the great Trebek lost his cancer battle at age 80 :(. He was unbelievable as the host of the great game show Jeopardy. They even found some classic stuff off the air during tapings in which he cursed up a storm. He had such a dry sense of humor. The way he courageously fought cancer while continuing to tape Jeopardy was amazing. We sure will miss him.

Ironically, we lost Trebek and acting legend Sean Connery over a week apart. Mr. James Bond 007 was a remarkable actor. He was great in a supporting role in The Untouchables and was terrific in The Hunt for Red October as well as The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. I loved him as Indiana Jones’ Dad. Who could forget their back and forth banter?

“Junior! … Dad! Don’t call me that. We named the dog Indiana.” Hahahaha.

They had great chemistry in Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. Yet there was only a 14 or 15-year age difference between Connery and Harrison Ford, who’s a legend himself.

Why do I bring up Connery? Oh. For the classic Celebrity Jeopardy episodes on SNL when Darryl Hammond portrayed him perfectly as 007. The classic lines between Connery and Trebek. Really Ferrell at his best after all the insults about his Mom. You would have Burt Reynolds sometimes or Robin Williams, who Jimmy Fallon actually played well without breaking character. Something he used to do all the time before moving onto Late Night status. He actually has the best show now. That’s how pathetic I find Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert.

SNL has been linking all these clips of Celebrity Jeopardy on YouTube. Here’s a couple to remind us what made the show so hysterical.

It never gets old. 😆 I still find myself laughing hysterically to these skits. I mean it speaks volumes. SNL used to be great.

Dating back to legends like Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Steve Martin, Dan Akroyd and Bill Murray, they were the best show to watch every Saturday night. You had Eddie Murphy playing the hilarious Mister Robinson in a knockoff on Mister Rogers. Dennis Miller doing the news. Something that was so good, he eventually made it big and landed his own HBO show. There were the Farley years with sidekicks Adam Sandler and David Spade. Tommy Boy, anyone? Of course, Sandler went onto Hollywood stardom as well with memorable hits The Wedding Singer, Happy Gilmore and numerous others.

It seemed like Farley and Spade were a tandem who played well off each other. It’s still sad how it turned out for Farley, who died of an overdose similar to idol Belushi. Nobody made audiences laugh more than Chris. Who could forget his Motivational Speaker or Dance Off with Patrick Swayze? Those are timeless classics.

You also had Dana Carvey and Mike Myers. Carvey would always play President Bush. Omg. Was that funny. Then they teamed up for Wayne’s World, which became a big movie hit. I still can’t believe there was a sequel.

How about Phil Hartman as President Clinton? Who could forget this epic skit at McDonald’s? One of the best ever. Before he starts eating everything in sight while explaining to customers his strategy, he told his security detail, “There’s gonna be a whole lot of things we don’t tell Mrs. Clinton.”

How accurate was that? Omg. 🤣

Honestly, watching these old classic skits are the true definition of comedy. We all used to laugh regardless of who we supported. There’s a big reason for that. Social media has become so toxic that it’s deteriorated completely.

It doesn’t matter who you are for. The best thing in life is to laugh. Comedy had that in spades growing up. Don’t believe me? Watch a Taxi rerun or The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Married With Children, Seinfeld, Friends, Cheers or Diff’rent Strokes. There were so many more sitcoms that made us laugh. Now, it’s almost all police shows or other serious stuff. If not, it’s some annoying reality TV show that has no intrinsic value. What a waste.

Movies were better too. Do I even have to go there? You could rattle off four or five Murphy films and stop. Rodney Dangerfield. Robin Williams. John Candy. How I miss them. But remember something. Legends Never Die. Legends Are Forever.

The dumbing down of everything due to Cancel Culture has made life unfunny. Everyone takes everything too seriously. What we need is a return to the random stuff that made us laugh.

Real comedy can’t die. All you have to do is create it yourself and you’ll have your friends in laughter. Trust me. I’m the king.