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.

John Candy and Carl Reiner - Part 1

In my collection I have a great press kit of 'Summer Rental'. Reading through the production information of this movie it's clear that John and director Carl Reiner got along very well together and had deep respect for one another. On the picture above you see John and Carl enjoy a video playback of a scene they've just shot. There was a nice atmosphere on the set.

















Here are some excerpts from the Handbook of Production Information:

The executive producer (Bernie Brillstein) sent the completed screenplay to both Carl Reiner and John Candy. Each said, "If he'll do it, I'll do it." George Shapiro was brought in as line producer, and within three days a deal was struck with Paramount. Production began on March 18, 1985, in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Having made his mark in nearly every facet of film and television during his nearly four decades as an actor, writer, director and producer, Carl Reiner was last credited with directing the critically praised "All of Me", starring Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin. In addition to his own creative skills, Reiner has proven himself to be a superb judge of comedic talent. His enthusiasm over Candy's approach to comedy was evident. "Working with John Candy has been one of the great delights in my career," states the director. "I've been very lucky in my career. I've worked with some of the best: Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks, Dick Van Dyke, George Burns, Steve Martin and now John Candy. "I find that there's a common denominator that runs with all creative comedians. They're a pleasure to work with because they not only come in prepared, but they come with creative ideas which makes everything better, easier. We were given a very good script by Jeremy Stevens and Mark Reisman. But put somebody like John Candy in it and little goodies happen every day."

The litany of Reiner's accomplishments had long been familiar to Candy. "Carl is such a legend to us 'Baby Boomers' " Candy relates. "I was really flattered to learn that he wanted to work with me. Keeping up with Carl has been one of my big challenges in this picture. He's so sharp, and the ideas come so quickly. He also has a wonderful childlike quality. He likes to have a lot of fun and so do I. We both goof around a lot--which works real well for me. It's always a pleasure to work with a pro like him."

To be continued...

Photo, image of Handbook and excerpts from 'Summer Rental':

Copyright MCMLXXXV Paramount Pictures Corporation.

Second City documentary available on iTunes

The wonderful documentary 'The Second City - First Family of Comedy', which has been released to DVD (see image above), is now available to download on iTunes.

Join hosts (and Second City alums) Dave Thomas, Scott Thompson, and Joe Flaherty for an uproarious, behind-the-scenes history of the troupe that incubated more than four decades’ worth of funny people. Meet the producers who introduced the world to John Belushi, John Candy, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Fred Willard, Eugene Levy, and more. See rare archival clips of early performances. Hear Dan Aykroyd, Rachel Dratch, Tina Fey, Patrick McKenna, Mike Myers, Colin Mochrie, Catherine O’Hara, Harold Ramis, Paul Shaffer, Martin Short, Ryan Stiles, and others reminisce about their salad days. You’ll learn why so many performers call Second City the "university" that gave them a higher education in hilarity.

To download the documentary from iTunes, click on the button below: