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.
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