Thanksgiving movies: ''Planes, Trains and Automobiles''

(1987)

Planes, Trains and Automobiles, John Candy, ... | Pilgrims Trying every means available to get from New York to Chicago in time for the holiday, businessman Neal Page (Steve Martin, left) finds himself…
Photo: Everett Collection

Thanksgiving movies: ”Planes, Trains and Automobiles”

PILGRIMS Trying every means available to get from New York to Chicago in time for the holiday, businessman Neal Page (Steve Martin, left) finds himself stuck with annoyingly chipper shower curtain ring salesman Del Griffith (John Candy, right) as a traveling companion.

FAMILY SECRET Del talks often about his wife, but there’s a reason we never meet her.

MEMORABLE LINE Neal finally blows up at Del: ”And by the way, you know, when you’re telling these little stories? Here’s a good idea: Have a point. It makes it so much more interesting for the listener!”

SIDE DISH The film marked Martin’s turn from wild-and-crazy-guy roles into family-man fare, and he told EW that Neal was more like his offscreen self than any role he’d played before. ”It was one of the first real people I’d ever played,” he said.

REASON TO BE THANKFUL Your own travels home couldn’t possibly be as nightmarish as Neal and Del’s — and, chances are, you won’t be on the other end of a tirade as hilariously profane as Neal’s meltdown before the car rental agent.

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