“Six bucks and my right nut says we’re not landing in Chicago.”

With that comment from the not-so-subtle Del Griffith, Thanksgiving is underway!

This “Cult Movie Monday” has all you need to know to prepare for this Thanksgiving must-watch!

“Planes, Trains & Automobiles”

This is the late John Hughes’s masterpiece, and the single best film ever made about Thanksgiving. Steve Martin is terrific…and most importantly, it is John Candy’s greatest performance ever…the simple story of a man who just wants to get home in time to spend Thanksgiving with his family…and the guy he must travel with to get there!

Check out the trailer:

Steve Martin plays Neal Page – who just wants to get this flight from New York to Chicago for Thanksgiving. What happens first? He gets sat next to Del Griffith…first of all, look at the book Del’s reading!

Del Griffith, Shower Curtain Ring Salesman and all-around blabbermouth, is never short of advice, conversation, bad jokes, or opinions…and you just know he’s not going to stop!

So the first thing Page does is try to shut him down…

Neal: “Eh, look, I don’t want to be rude, but I’m not much of a conversationalist, and I really want to finish this article, a friend of mine wrote it, so…”
Del: “Don’t let me stand in your way, please don’t let me stand in your way. The last thing I want to be remembered as is an annoying blabbermouth… You know, nothing grinds my gears worse than some chowderhead that doesn’t know when to keep his big trap shut… If you catch me running off with my mouth, just give me a poke on the chubbs…”

Then,the entire premise of the movie is revealed when Del sums up their flight quite succinctly:

Del: “Six bucks and my right nut says we’re not landing in Chicago.”

They are diverted to Wichita…and the comedy never lets up as the unlikely duo use “planes, trains, automobiles” and a lot of fighting to try and get home…which lead to the classic moment when they are forced to share a room in a snowstorm…

Neal: Del… Why did you kiss my ear?
Del: Why are you holding my hand?
Neal: [frowns] Where’s your other hand?
Del: Between two pillows…
Neal: Those aren’t pillows!”

There are so many great moments in this film, and so many repeatable lines – like when a car full of people scream to Del that “you’re going the wrong way!” Yes, as he’s driving the wrong way on the highway. What does Del say?

“Going the wrong way? How do they know where we’re going?”

John Candy has never been better: Del Griffith is a buffoon, but he’s also a truly warm and generous person – something that Steve Martin comes to realize in the course of their journey home for Thanksgiving.

I cry at the end of the film every time…how can you not?

This is a heartwarming movie that reminds us that no matter how different we are, we all share common values – it’s funny, touching, and ultimately so uplifting…a great way to celebrate John Candy, and another example of Martin’s comedy genius…like this scene at the rental car counter:

this one moment is why the film gets an “R” ring, but if you need to “mute” this fifteen seconds for the kids, do so – but then watch it yourself later – it’s hysterical!

Steve Martin’s great comedies run the gamut from “The Jerk” to the classic “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”:

Here are some more Steve Martin classics now available on blu-ray, including some of his best TV moments:

https://johnrieber.com/2012/09/24/steve-martins-tv-years-plus-scoundrels-jerks-and-del-griffith-too-the-brilliance-of-steve-martin/

If you want to celebrate Thanksgiving with one of the most unique stuffing recipes, try this one:

Yes, “White Castle Burger” stuffing! It’s real, and it’s delicious! See the entire recipe here:

https://johnrieber.com/2020/11/19/heres-the-white-castle-stuffing-recipe-for-thanksgiving-a-potato-cake-recipe-too-thanksgiving-recipes/

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Let me know if you want to hang out for Thanksgiving with Del!

Categories: Art, chicago, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Movies, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities, Travel Adventures

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