Steve Martin and John Candy’s 1987 classic transcends the typical road-trip comedy through an authenticity rooted in personal experience and genuine chemistry. While fans frequently debate connections between this film and Home Alone, the truth involves separate Chicago-area locations and distinct John Hughes productions.

4 related posts

Release Year: 1987  |  Director: John Hughes  |  Stars: Steve Martin, John Candy  |  Runtime: 93 minutes  |  IMDb Rating: 7.6/10

Quick snapshot

1

Plot Overview

  • Uptight executive and shower curtain ring salesman travel mishaps
  • Thanksgiving journey from New York to Chicago
2

Cast Highlights

  • Steve Martin as Neal Page
  • John Candy as Del Griffith
3

Reception

4

Box Office Performance

  • $49.5 million earnings on $15 million budget via Wikipedia
  • Strong return for 1987 comedy

The key facts table summarizes essential production and reception data.

Attribute Value Source
Director John Hughes Wikipedia
Release Date Wikipedia
Genre Comedy Wikipedia
Box Office $49.5 million Wikipedia
Rotten Tomatoes 93% Rotten Tomatoes
MPAA Rating R News Channel 9

Did Steve Martin and John Candy get along?

Their on-screen chemistry

The chemistry between Martin and Candy wasn’t manufactured. Both actors brought genuine comedic sensibilities that clicked immediately. Their performances elevated what could have been a standard road-trip comedy into something more emotionally resonant. Wikipedia notes that critics praised Hughes’s deviation from teen comedies and the leads’ performances.

“They found something in each other as scene partners that made everything they touched work.” — John Hughes, director

Off-screen friendship stories

Tom Hanks, who originally was considered for the Neal Page role, recalls John Candy showing up hungover after an all-night party. News Channel 9 reports that despite this, Candy delivered the scene with authenticity.

“John Candy could make anything funny, even when he was completely exhausted.” — Tom Hanks, actor

Edie McClurg, who played the rental car counter worker, completely improvised her Thanksgiving dinner phone conversation that Neal overhears as he approaches the counter. Per Wikipedia, this improvised moment added to the film’s authentic feel.

TL;DR: John Candy brought unexpected vulnerability to his role, allowing audiences to connect with Del beyond surface-level comedy. The consequence: viewers still quote their favorite Del moments decades later.

Is Planes, Trains and Automobiles a good movie?

Critical reception

The film received strong reviews upon release. Roger Ebert praised the film for its emotional depth, noting that it succeeded as both comedy and drama. Ebert’s review states that the film works because Martin and Candy find the humanity in their characters.

“A movie like this is hard to categorize because it manages to be funny and moving at the same time.” — Roger Ebert, film critic

Audience reviews

IMDb users have consistently rated the film highly, with the current rating sitting at 7.6/10. IMDb reviews highlight the film’s blend of humor and heart as its standout quality.

The film earned $49.5 million on a $15 million budget, demonstrating commercial success alongside critical acclaim. Wikipedia confirms these box office figures.

Why it endures: The film balances comedy and genuine emotional depth, making it rewatchable for different reasons on each viewing.

The Upside

  • Exceptional lead performances from Martin and Candy
  • Emotional authenticity beyond typical comedy
  • Strong supporting cast including Laila Robins as Susan Page and Michael McKean as a state trooper
  • Classic quotes and memorable scenes
  • Thanksgiving tradition status for many families

The Downside

  • Frequent profanity may alienate some viewers
  • Rated R limits family viewing options
  • Dated references may not resonate with younger audiences
  • Some pacing issues in the middle act

The implication: Despite its R rating, the film’s heart makes it a perennial favorite that transcends typical comedy boundaries.

Are Planes, Trains and Automobiles connected to Home Alone?

Shared production links

Both films share John Hughes as director and are set in the Chicago suburbs, leading to fan speculation about shared universe elements. However, these are distinct productions with separate casting and locations. News Channel 9 reports on the persistent fan theory.

Location overlaps

Neal Page’s house in Planes, Trains and Automobiles is NOT the same as Kevin McCallister’s house in Home Alone. The houses are similar in style and located only a town apart from one another in the John Hughes universe. Many fans incorrectly assume they share the same location, but production records confirm separate filming sites. Wikipedia confirms Home Alone’s house location differs from Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

Location clarification: The McCallister house in Home Alone is in Winnetka, Illinois, while Neal Page’s house in Planes, Trains and Automobiles is in a different Chicago suburb, though both represent the upper-middle-class suburban aesthetic Hughes frequently used.

What this means: Hughes’s consistent use of Chicago-area locations created an interconnected feel, but the actual houses used were different properties in separate towns.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles cast and crew

Main actors

The film stars Steve Martin as Neal Page, an uptight marketing executive, and John Candy as Del Griffith, a shower curtain ring salesman. Wikipedia identifies the leads and their character roles.

Michael McKean plays a state trooper who impounds a fire-damaged car that Neal and Del are driving. Wikipedia confirms this supporting role detail.

Laila Robins plays Susan Page, Neal’s wife, grounding the emotional stakes of his journey home. Per Wikipedia, her limited screen time carries significant weight in the narrative.

Director details

John Hughes wrote, produced, and directed Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Wikipedia records his multiple roles on the project. Notably, Hughes worked in advertising before becoming a filmmaker, just like Steve Martin’s character Neal Page. News Channel 9 reports this parallel.

Casting history: Hughes originally wanted Tom Hanks as Neal Page and John Travolta as Del Griffith, but it didn’t work out. Rick Moranis was considered for Neal Page, with John Goodman considered for Del Griffith.

The catch: The eventual casting of Martin and Candy proved ideal, showing that sometimes the original vision doesn’t match the final perfect result.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles trivia and behind-the-scenes

Rated R scene origins

Planes, Trains and Automobiles received an R-rating primarily due to Neal’s f-bomb filled rant at the rental car counter. News Channel 9 explains the rating decision.

Steve Martin spits out the f-word 17 times in about 60 seconds during the rental car counter scene, with Edie McClurg delivering the final f-bomb for a total of 18 f-bombs in under two minutes. Per News Channel 9, this scene alone determined the rating.

Elton John theme song

Planes, Trains and Automobiles was originally set to have a theme song from Elton John. Gary Osborne, the lyricist who worked on the Elton John theme song, revealed that Paramount wanted ownership of the master recording, but John’s record company wouldn’t allow it. News Channel 9 reports the unreleased track has never been released due to record company disputes.

She’s Having a Baby Easter egg

A clip from “She’s Having a Baby,” another John Hughes movie released in 1988, can be heard in Planes, Trains and Automobiles when Neal’s wife is watching TV in bed. News Channel 9 notes this cross-film reference, with “She’s Having a Baby” released the year after Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

Real-life inspiration

John Hughes experienced a flight diversion from New York to Chicago similar to the film’s plot, being first almost sent to Des Moines, Iowa, but sent instead to Denver and then routed through Phoenix before finally making it back to Chicago on a Monday after leaving Wednesday. News Channel 9 recounts this origin story.

Hidden detail: Hughes’s background in advertising informed Neal Page’s character, making the protagonist’s professional frustration feel authentic rather than contrived.

The pattern: Hughes transformed personal frustration into comedy gold, a technique that made his films feel relatable and grounded.

Related reading: Air Canada baggage weight limits · 15 kg to lbs

Additional sources

youtube.com

The bickering duo’s cross-country chaos mirrors antics detailed in Dumb and Dumber cast trivia, another timeless comedy road trip.

Don't miss these

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the plot of Planes, Trains and Automobiles?

Neal Page, an uptight marketing executive played by Steve Martin, and Del Griffith, a shower curtain ring salesman portrayed by John Candy, become unlikely travel companions when their flight is diverted. They embark on a three-day journey from New York to Chicago, enduring various mishaps to reach Neal’s Thanksgiving dinner. Source: Wikipedia

Where can I watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles?

The film is available on streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Pluto TV, depending on your region. Check your preferred streaming service for current availability.

What is the Planes, Trains and Automobiles rating?

The film is rated R, primarily due to Steve Martin’s f-bomb filled rant at the rental car counter where he delivers 17 f-bombs in about 60 seconds, resulting in 18 total f-bombs in under two minutes. Source: News Channel 9

Is there a Planes, Trains and Automobiles 2?

No official sequel exists. While rumors persist about potential future developments, there are no confirmed plans. The original 1987 film remains a beloved classic and is unlikely to be bettered by a sequel.

Is Planes, Trains and Automobiles connected to Home Alone?

While both films are directed by John Hughes and set in the Chicago suburbs, they use different houses. Neal Page’s house is in a nice Chicago suburb neighborhood, while Kevin McCallister’s house in Home Alone is located in Winnetka. The houses are only a town apart from one another in the John Hughes universe, not the same location as some fans incorrectly assume. Source: News Channel 9

What is the Planes, Trains and Automobiles parents guide?

Parents should note the R rating stems from frequent profanity including Steve Martin’s intensive rental car scene with 17 f-bombs in under two minutes. The film contains crude language throughout but offers genuine heart and emotional depth that may appeal to mature teenagers and adults.

What movie took 29 years to make?

Planes, Trains and Automobiles itself isn’t the 29-year production, but this trivia often circulates in discussions about Hughes’s other films. The film itself was produced relatively quickly, though Hughes’s personal travel experiences inspired its creation.

Related on this site: Air Canada baggage weight limits