Curly Candy - John as Curly Howard

John does a terrific job impersonating Curly Howard in an episode of 'SCTV' from November 21, 1977 . John, Eugene Levy (as Moe) and Joe Flaherty (as Larry) play 'The Three Stooges' under the name 'The Three Dummies'. The butler and maid are played by Dave Thomas and Andrea Martin and the society lady is played by Catherine O'Hara. In this 'SCTV' episode 'The Three Dummies' is part of the kiddie show 'Muley's Round House' hosted by embittered and paranoid switchman Muley, played by Harold Ramis.

Everyone does a good job in this skit but John's imitation of Curly is so spot on that you think you're actually looking at Curly Howard. From the high-pitched voice to the beautifully timed gestures; it's all there!

Planes, Trains and Automobiles - official trailer

The official trailer of 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' gives us rare glimpses of footage that isn't in the movie. It shows us that some scenes could've been longer. Like the scene in the Braidwood Inn; in this trailer we see Neal talking to Del in bed saying: "I was on my way home to spend a nice holiday with my family, instead I'm in a Motel bed with a stranger." This certainly isn't in the movie!

Further glimpses are Neal eating a pizza in the Motel room, Neal falling asleep in the truck, Del clowning in the mirror (twice), Del shouting "heave-ho!" and Neal sitting in their burned car saying: "Two happy clams just whistling down the road."

I was very surprised to see this trailer and I think it's highly interesting and enjoyable. I hope you feel the same.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles - Special Edition DVD

Recently, a special edition DVD of 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' was released under the name "Those Aren't Pillows!" Edition. The artwork gives a wrong impression, because this isn't a Christmas movie. Neal Page (Steve Martin) is going home for Thanksgiving. It seems this special edition has to appeal to Christmas buyers. However, it's only a lenticular slipcover and the DVD case itself has different artwork which is the image on the right. (Sorry for the low resolution.)

It is known that a lot of footage was shot for this movie. According to the late director John Hughes you could assemble a 3 hour version, which would take massive editing. This special edition DVD features only one deleted scene which can be seen in television versions of the movie. This is a dinner scene which takes place on the plane. Sadly, it isn't incorporated into the movie. I'd rather had two cuts of the movie, one without this scene and one with. But the best would be to have a third cut, which includes (all) other filmed material.

Further extras are: "Getting There is Half the Fun: The Story of Planes, Trains and Automobiles", "John Hughes for Adults" and "A Tribute to John Candy". I have been told that the tribute to John is way too short. One of the extras contains the press conference which was given for 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles'. You can see a part of the press conference here.

Besides a bunch of footage, stills of the movie and behind the scenes photos, another thing that should've been added as an extra is missing. It's a news episode of WKBW-TV (Buffalo, NY) in which John is interviewed by Mike Randall while having his hair permed for the role of Del Griffith. This news episode originally aired on February 27, 1987. Watch it here.

I have been told that the picture quality is an improvement over the first DVD. So overall, I think we must be happy a special edition got released. Hopefully, a definitive edition will see the light of day within a few years. On Blu-ray maybe?

Return of Gus Polinski in Home Alone 2 ?

In an article about John Hughes from the cancelled website Addictive Thoughts a massive argument is mentioned that allegedly took place between John Hughes and John Candy. It is said that the cause of this argument was a role snub. "Hughes, he alleged to close friends in the early 1990s, had promised to write a new film for him - and then either never delivered on his promise or offered the role to someone else (without alerting Candy first or even offering a friendly apology.)"

Furthermore, the author of the article writes: "A few years ago, I was told by an acquaintance of Candy’s son that the snubbed role was actually a return of the Gus Polinski character for Home Alone 2, and not a feature length film, but I have never read anything more about this so I am unsure of its legitimacy."

It would've been great to see the Gus Polinski character return in Home Alone 2. And, it would've been great if there had been another Hughes/Candy film. I guess for us fans, we would've loved to see both roles come to fruition. How sad both Johns never made up.

Source: the cancelled website http://addictivethoughts.com/.

Edited on July 16, 2010.

Today, 59 years ago...

Today, 59 years ago, a legendary actor was born: John Franklin Candy. In his short life he made the whole world laugh and even after his passing he continues to do so thanks to his movies and television work. Luckily, due to television and DVD a new generation discovers John's wonderful work in the field of comedy and drama. The world still misses you, John.

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Photo: copyright 1991 Time Life Pictures.

John Hughes (1950-2009)

John Hughes passed away of a heart attack today. The talented writer, director and producer was 59. He worked with John Candy on several movies like 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles', 'Uncle Buck' and 'Only the Lonely'.

Hughes almost always seemed to make the right choice for John Candy and he could make a movie tailor made for him. Besides Hughes' other successes, like his teen movies or Home Alone and it's sequel, his finest work really is with John Candy.

Farewell, John Hughes. Thanks for all the great movies of which I am sure they will be forever popular.

John Candy Rides The Rails

In the kids magazine 'Disney Adventures' of March 11, 1991, is a very nice interview with John. According to interviewer Robert Crane they "caught him between recording the voice of the camp counselor on his animated television show 'Camp Candy', and shooting 'The Rescuers Down Under', 'Delirious' and 'Only the Lonely'." The last episode of 'Camp Candy' aired on October 27, 1990 and 'Delirious' had a test preview in October 1990. So this interview was held prior to October. To determine exactly when the interview took place I'd have to know when John worked on 'The Rescuers Down Under'. You might wonder why John is depicted as a conductor. Well, the main theme of this magazine is trains. In the interview John tells about his qualities as a cook, being a class clown, Canada, not being keen on flying, summer holidays, 'Camp Candy' and more.































Images: copyright 1991 The Walt Disney Company.