Just wanted to wish everyone here and Jeff especially, a happy, safe and warm Thanksgiving. Jeff, thanks for many many many funny and thoughtful moments during the year.
It’s hard to imagine Steve Martin’s character from Trains, Planes, and Automobiles in a contemporary movie. The movie makers would need to make it clear to viewers how they felt about his privilege and be certain the viewers agreed.
And that’s sad because I learned important lessons from this movie. I always double check to be sure the warm spot is really between two pillows.
"Which happens to be a good lesson to learn, because all of us have at least one good-hearted but annoying person in our lives, and many of us have 15-20."
Thank you for this, I treasure this film. Oh the dawning realisation when Del is sitting on the train platform - and my understanding now, with life experience, the daily choice Del makes to honour his late wife's memory by being a kind person, rather than becoming bitter and withdrawn. And the comedy timing! And the surreal "devil face" in the car! A well-deserved 11 out of 10 for a film that - for this Brit - shows the best of Americans - in a roundabout way! It's on my "no Thanksgiving here" playlist now.
There's a delightful children's animation called Stick Man, which is, accidentally or otherwise, something of a homage to TPA. I recommend.
Regarding Hughes' impressive output, I would not say it's "like if one band had made Sergeant Pepper, Pet Sounds, and Electric Ladyland." It's more like if one band had made Sgt. Pepper, Abbey Road, Let it Be, Revolver, Hard Day's Night, etc.
When I taught English as a Second Language I used this film. It was perfect as the basic story is instantly understandable - a classic "odd couple" are on a road trip. Plus you can talk about Thanksgiving in the U.S. (including the travel nightmare) and show a map with our principals' trajectory from NYC to Chicago. Such a shame that John Candy died so young, even in so-so movies ("Who's Harry Crumb?") he was great.
I never realized (or had forgotten) that we never see inside the trunk. It's just a thing that miraculously survives while all of Steve Martin's stuff burns into ash.
My all time favourite. And it’s aged very well. It has none of the cheesy 80s vibe that so many of Hugh’s’ movies from that era do. It’s a timeless classic.
This movie along with Trading Places are beloved by everybody in my family and regularly quoted. We are not even American. They are already classics in Europe.
I watched it for the first time in 20-25 years back in January when buying a load of old Steve Martin films on Blu-Ray, for old times' sake. Still brilliant!
PT&A always shocked me because it was the first time I heard Steve Martin say “fuck”…then he just kept saying it over and over. I bet he knows more than any other person on Substack who Uncle Dave Macon is.
Just wanted to wish everyone here and Jeff especially, a happy, safe and warm Thanksgiving. Jeff, thanks for many many many funny and thoughtful moments during the year.
100% agree. I remember watching this on Laserdisc as a kid and my friends and I watching our Dads double over in laughter.
I haven’t really thought about it in a while, but man movies used to be fun.
It’s hard to imagine Steve Martin’s character from Trains, Planes, and Automobiles in a contemporary movie. The movie makers would need to make it clear to viewers how they felt about his privilege and be certain the viewers agreed.
And that’s sad because I learned important lessons from this movie. I always double check to be sure the warm spot is really between two pillows.
"Which happens to be a good lesson to learn, because all of us have at least one good-hearted but annoying person in our lives, and many of us have 15-20."
I feel I am this person for 15-20 people.
Thank you for this, I treasure this film. Oh the dawning realisation when Del is sitting on the train platform - and my understanding now, with life experience, the daily choice Del makes to honour his late wife's memory by being a kind person, rather than becoming bitter and withdrawn. And the comedy timing! And the surreal "devil face" in the car! A well-deserved 11 out of 10 for a film that - for this Brit - shows the best of Americans - in a roundabout way! It's on my "no Thanksgiving here" playlist now.
There's a delightful children's animation called Stick Man, which is, accidentally or otherwise, something of a homage to TPA. I recommend.
Regarding Hughes' impressive output, I would not say it's "like if one band had made Sergeant Pepper, Pet Sounds, and Electric Ladyland." It's more like if one band had made Sgt. Pepper, Abbey Road, Let it Be, Revolver, Hard Day's Night, etc.
When I taught English as a Second Language I used this film. It was perfect as the basic story is instantly understandable - a classic "odd couple" are on a road trip. Plus you can talk about Thanksgiving in the U.S. (including the travel nightmare) and show a map with our principals' trajectory from NYC to Chicago. Such a shame that John Candy died so young, even in so-so movies ("Who's Harry Crumb?") he was great.
I never realized (or had forgotten) that we never see inside the trunk. It's just a thing that miraculously survives while all of Steve Martin's stuff burns into ash.
Some things are better unsaid.
“But the radio still works”
Best line reading of the movie. Just broke into laughter reading it and hearing it in my head.
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My all time favourite. And it’s aged very well. It has none of the cheesy 80s vibe that so many of Hugh’s’ movies from that era do. It’s a timeless classic.
Is it not?
This movie along with Trading Places are beloved by everybody in my family and regularly quoted. We are not even American. They are already classics in Europe.
Always loved this film. Even in the the UK (where we don't know what Thanksgiving is) it was still hilarious.
Fave quotes:
"How would you like a mouth full of teeth?"
and of course...
"Those aren't Pillows!"
Totally agree!
I watched it for the first time in 20-25 years back in January when buying a load of old Steve Martin films on Blu-Ray, for old times' sake. Still brilliant!
PT&A always shocked me because it was the first time I heard Steve Martin say “fuck”…then he just kept saying it over and over. I bet he knows more than any other person on Substack who Uncle Dave Macon is.