December 17, 2011
Okay, tonight was nuts at work and I didn’t get out until after two in the morning. I just took a cab home and I think I’ll have a few thousand beers and sleep in tomorrow. So I’m putting the post up right away, before I pass out in a drunken stupor go to sleep. For tonight’s post I thought I’d post some video clips of one of my favorite holiday movies, “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.” I think it’s one of the funniest movies ever and a highlight of both Steve Martin’s and John Candy’s acting careers.
The only thing I don’t like is the happy, sappy Hollywood ending. I’ve always thought a better ending would’ve been after Del tell’s Neal that his wife has died years ago, Neal gets so upset that he flips out and goes home and brutally and violently murders his wife and children, throws the Thanksgiving Day turkey out the front picture window and then he sets his own house on fire.
As he watches his house burn down, Neal laughs maniacally and says, “Happy Thanksgiving...assholes!”
The last scene would be Neal going back to the train station and Del is still sitting there with his trunk. Del looks shocked to see him returning.
“Del, I brought the turkey to you, this year,” Neal tells him while pulling a giant bottle of Wild Turkey out of a shopping bag. They both laugh and the bottle is opened.
“I’ve never been a big fan of Thanksgiving,” Del says while taking a long pull off of the bottle.
“Me, either,” Neal counters while grabbing the bottle and taking a hefty swig.
“What say, after we finish this, we go hit some bars on Rush Street and pick up some lonely Thanksgiving Day skanks,” Del says with a smile coloring his face.
“I think this is going to be one hell of a holiday season!” Neal laughingly replies back.
As they’re leaving the train station, they both say in unison, “Those aren’t pillows!” They laugh and the credits roll. Closing song over credits is, “Hit The Road, Jack,” by Ray Charles.
Could’ve been an Oscar contender with that ending, but what are you going to do? Here’s some clips from YouTube. See you tomorrow after dark.
Further Reading: IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes and Wikipedia.
Hit the road, Jack,
And don’t you come back no more.
(Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!)
---------------------------------
Bonus Linkage To The Craft Fair This Sunday At d.b.a!
If you live in or around New York, you should check out the Holiday Hand-Made Gifts and Crafts Fair that CBBM documentarian, Spike and his wife put together at d.b.a. every year. EV Grieve has the details, check it out here: 7th annual d.b.a. holiday fair (part 2)
Bonus Card Board Box Man Shot!
And speaking of CBBM’s, look what was staring at me just a block away from where I live. The mutations are growing more varied every day and sightings are becoming alarmingly frequent. Enjoy your freedom while you can, as we will all soon be enslaved by them. Aaaaahhh!
15 Comments
Reader Comments (15)
I just watched that movie for the first time, two years ago. Funny, but your ending certainly gives it a more Coen brothers twist!
For sure PTA is one of my all time favorite movies. That clip of them going the wrong way always cracks me up big time. Really can't go wrong with Candy,,, his scenes in "Stripes" were the best ones. I miss him.
I fell out of my seat when John Candy turned into the Devil. You're right, the film never decided if it was dark or warm and fuzzy. Not to be a nihilist, but assuming you are recharging, enjoy nothing.
@Britta: I've probably watched that movie over a hundred times, but always stop it before that sappy ending.
@Al: I hear you about John Candy. Around the time of his death he was in talks to do a serious movie about Fatty Arbuckle. I think it would've proven him as a true actor, like The Hustler did for Jackie Gleason.
@csp: So far it's been a grand day of nothingness. A day of Seinfedlian joy!
'PT and A ' is one of my favorites.
I would always drive by The Braidwood Inn on I-55 where Owen picked them up,
and ask my Daughter when she was growing up, the question. What's the temperature?"
She would then answer, "One."
I still ask myself myself that same question every time I pass it.
Also the 'Wrong Way" scene was filmed nearby.
I know that exit ramp and it's not impossible to do.
A great 'Martyized' (not to be confused with 'Martinized') ending to a classic film.
Classic movie. Nice ending!
@"Boris:" If you get a chance, you should get take a photo or two of the Braidwood Inn! Lets try and yak soon, it's been too long, Daddio!
@Clacky: Agreed! And glad you liked the alternate ending!
very funny flick...only thing they didn't work in a bus or a cab...i mean like how often is one on a plane? train? (subway don't count see motherfucker) while automobiles hell's bells it's a love/hate thing...
In the United States three new methods of transportation made their appearance at almost the same time - the steamboat, the canal boat, and the rail car.
John Moody
rr
me and my dad might be the only two people in the world that hated that movie..
but with your ending we might have liked it...
I love anything else John Candy has ever done.. except this...
specially stripes.. i love stripes...
and uncle buck.
just not this one...
it weirds me out in a not nice way..
Me and my dad dont get alot of slapstick humor anyway..
I grew up on the brit stuff.. so i just dont get alot of this..
i know shut up gidget...
going to my corner now..
@rr: There is actually a bus scene on the movie..."Flintstones, meet the Flintstones...anyhow, great quote as always!
@Gidgie: Sorry you hated this, to each their own I guess.
That sonuvabitch CBBM looks like Hitler!
I sure miss Johnny LaRue and Dr. Tongue etc and I haven't seen Planes in years. I'll check it out again before the new year. Thanks for the clips!
@Spike: A scary CBBM for sure! Glad you enjoyed the clips and see you today!
@Everyone: Today's post will be up in a bit, I slept in today because I didn't get much sleep yesterday. Check back around 2pm for today's post.
I still try to dry off with a washcloth every once in a while, just for yuks.
hey there Biff...i've always found that a washcloth was/is up to 3X more absorbent than that bath towel or sheet...
rr
@Biff and rr: Thanks for the tips, I'm drying to use them. (Oof!)