Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)

A man must struggle to travel home for Thanksgiving with a lovable oaf of a shower curtain ring salesman as his only companion.

Director:

John Hughes

Writer:

John Hughes

Stars:

Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve Martin	...	Neal Page
John Candy	...	Del Griffith
Laila Robins	...	Susan Page
Michael McKean	...	State Trooper
Kevin Bacon	...	Taxi Racer
Dylan Baker	...	Owen
Carol Bruce	...	Joy
Olivia Burnette	...	Marti
Diana Douglas	...	Peg
Martin Ferrero	...	Second Motel Clerk
Larry Hankin	...	Doobie
Richard Herd	...	Walt
Susan Kellermann	...	Waitress (as Susan Kellerman)
Matthew Lawrence	...	Little Neal
Edie McClurg	...	Car Rental Agent

Storyline

All that Neal Page wants to do is to get home for Thanksgiving. His flight has been cancelled due to bad weather, so he decides on other means of transport. As well as bad luck, Neal is blessed with the presence of Del Griffith, shower curtain ring salesman and all-around blabbermouth who is never short of advice, conversation, bad jokes, or company. And when he decides that he is going the same direction as Neal....

---

Plot Keywords:

airport | road movie | on the road | train | airplane | 

---

Taglines:

What he really wanted was to spend Thanksgiving with his family. What he got was three days with the turkey.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Prior to shooting, John Candy arrived with exercise equipment for him to use during production. Crews had installed a treadmill, bench press, weights, and other exercise gear in his hotel suite. Steve Martin said Candy never used any of it.

---

Goofs

Early in the movie, a BMW stops before running over Neil. When it drives off, it is a Lincoln.

---

Quotes

Screaming Driver: [late at night on the highway, Del is unknowingly driving in the opposite lane while a couple drive alongside him notice] Holy shit! Look at that guy on the wrong side of the highway! He's going to kill somebody!
Screaming Driver's Wife: Oh, my God!
Screaming Driver: [honks his horn and rolls his window down to get their attention] Hey! Hey!
[Del notices and honks back in retaliation]
Neal: [waking up from the noise] Hey, what's going on?
Del: Some joker wants to race.
[...]

---

Crazy Credits

As the title Planes, Trains & Automobiles scroll across the screen, we hear the sound of them at the same time.

---

Alternate Versions

In a television version, there is added footage during the New York- Chicago/Wichita flight where Del and Neal try to eat in flight.

---

Connections

Referenced in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #2.13 (2011)

---

Soundtracks

Continental Trailways Blues
(1987)
Written by Steve Earle
Performed by Steve Earle and John Mandoukos (as The Dukes)
Produced by Steve Earle and Tony Brown
Steve Earle performs courtesy of MCA Records

User Reviews

Heartwarming Little Holiday-Themed Film.

Very good comedy that has businessman Steve Martin trying to get home for the Thanksgiving holidays but having absolutely no luck. What is worse is that he cannot shake traveling salesman John Candy. The duo go through so many crazy situations trying to get Martin home and the question is will they survive the experience? The film is not all fun though as John Candy has a secret that will be discovered by the film's finale. John Hughes is at his best here. Along with "Home Alone" this is his best work. He adds outstanding comedy with just a pinch of real drama to create a really good film that keeps entertaining as the years pass by. 4 stars out of 5.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 November 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Filming Locations:

LaSalle/Van Buren CTA Station, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,009,482, 29 November 1987

Gross USA:

$49,530,280

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$49,530,280

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Hughes Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1