I have to be honest, it took me awhile to finally see what people were talking about with John Candy. I always heard people say how he was a genius, hilarious, so likeable, but I never really got it. I agreed with them but then thought to myself, there are funnier actors out there. I always liked his movies but never thought he made them.
Fast forward to the present. I get it now. There is something about him. He seems like a guy you could hang out with, a regular Joe...or John in this case. But there's even more to him! I think he's one of those guys that makes the people around him feel good. A person that when he leaves the room you can't put your finger on it but you have a smile on your face and you want more of it.
I think why I didn't appreciate him right away is because of his subtle comedic style. He's not over the top (well some roles he is ). It can be just a look he gives or a small witty line. But until you really pay attention or watch a movie a few times, you don't get it.
His laugh is contagious, his smile brightens up the room, and his acting is believable. He has an ability to make you feel almost sorry for his character but then show you, he’s alright, he doesn’t need your pity. He truly is a genius.
So my question to you is, what is your favorite John Candy movie and what is your Favorite John Candy Character?
Favorite Character:
Del Griffith from Planes Trains and Automobiles. You want to punch him and you want to hug him all at the same time. I think this is his best work!
Favorite Movie:
The Great Outdoors. There is something about this movie that keeps drawing me back. Maybe because I love the outdoors but I'm not an outdoors man. There is something romantic about it and I think that's what his character is trying to show to his kids. Funny story, I actually rented a cabin with my wife this summer up north. We brought "The Great Outdoors" with us to watch up there at night. We rented the Loon's Nest and found out that the cabin they rented in the movie was the Loon's Nest! Haha, it was meant to be.
Posts: 714 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Apr 2006 | Site Updates: 0
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posted
You know gordongecko I just want to start off by saying that I think your post was a well thought out, and moving post. I think you hit the nail right on the head, John Candy was hilarious, and for those reasons.
I can't decide which is his best,
1. Harry Crumb 2. Great Outdoors 3. Planes, Trains, and Automobils 4. Uncle Buck 5. Den Segment on Heavy Metal
Proably Harry Crumb, is my favorite chracter, and Armed and Dangerous was favorite movie.
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posted
I agree. Wonderful post. He was one of a kind. There is a great story where he and the SCTV folks were performing on stage in Niagra-on-the-Lake. Candy disappeared during the intermission. Dave Thomas frantically went to look for him. He found him down the street having tea with an elderly couple who had invited him in. He was that kind of guy--a friend to all.
His temper was legendary too. For some reason, he didn't get a salary bump for being a writer on SCTV and was paid less than the others. He referred to this to management as "favored nation status," and once put his fist through a studio wall in anger. The others kept the hole as a kind of shrine to Candy. After that, as revenge, he was always tring to waste the producers' money, including renting an expensive Louma camera crane for one shot in a sketch. LOL
RIP Del Griffith.
Posts: 2008 | From: Dixieland | Registered: Oct 2008 | Site Updates: 0
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posted
Definitely so hard to pick a favourite. I definitely feel love for the guy. I think the thing I like about him the most is that he always laughs at his own jokes.
A definite one of a kind guy. There are some movies where any actor could have played a part. But can you imagine taking John Candy away from Uncle Buck or Planes, Trains etc. It just would not be anywhere near the same.
He is probably one of the few people to shoot at sharks with a pistol instead of going traditional.
One of the few to hit golf balls at an enemy.
One of the few to make jumbo size pancakes and punch out a clown.
One of the few who would pass off shower curtain rings as ear rings.
One of the few to get his car trashed for a closer look at the wildlife.
One of the few who had hits in Shaboygan.
One of the few who has attempted to lower a body down the outside of a building via a fire hose because he couldn't be bothered carrying him down the stairs.
One of the few who is his own best friend.
One of the few that you actually feel love for.
He is a legend and things aren't the same without him. Anyway it's time to go and enjoy Brewster's Millions.
"If you don't make any calls, you don't make any sales."
[ 23. February 2011, 12:49: Message edited by: Bernie_Lomax ]
Posts: 2586 | From: Defrauding the company from abroad | Registered: Jan 2010 | Site Updates: 24
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posted
Hey thanks guys, I really appreciate it. I've been meaning to post it for awhile now. It was almost like a switch went on in my head and it all started to make sense. I just got it all the sudden.
And Bernie, because I'm from WI I have to correct you, it's Sheboygan Hahaha. Those dang WI cities are so hard to say and spell!
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my favorite Candy character is easily Uncle Buck. Uncle Buck is just simply one of those characters that seemed to be taylor made and so natural for Candy. One of those characters that you couldn't even begin to picture anyone else playing the role. Therefore, yeah, I think that was easily his best performance.
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aTomiK
.... has green eyes as well....
Member # 6575
posted
Favorite character and favorite movie: Planes, Trains & Automobiles. This movie has it all.
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Favourite character is Buck Russell. And whilst there are many great movies, my personal favourite is Delirious.
Posts: 3646 | From: Shermer, IL - where else? | Registered: Mar 2001 | Site Updates: 37
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I loved him so much. He was such a great father figure in so many movies. I loved him in Summer Rental and The Great Outdoors. He was funny, warm, and geniune. He definitely showed a different side of himself in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. Even in supporting roles in movies like Home Alone, he won your heart.
Hard to believe it has been almost 17 years since he has been gone. I remember when I heard the news. I was working in a video store and I felt myself become almost sick because I just couldn't believe it.
Posts: 5319 | From: KANSAS | Registered: Sep 2003 | Site Updates: 2
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quote:Originally posted by Jessie the Sunflower Goddess: I loved him so much. He was such a great father figure in so many movies. I loved him in Summer Rental and The Great Outdoors. He was funny, warm, and geniune. He definitely showed a different side of himself in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. Even in supporting roles in movies like Home Alone, he won your heart.
Hard to believe it has been almost 17 years since he has been gone. I remember when I heard the news. I was working in a video store and I felt myself become almost sick because I just couldn't believe it.
I know that feeling. I was sitting in 8th grade maths class when I heard. As if maths class isn't bad enough. Straight away I felt like I had the life knocked out of me. Summer Rental was great as with The Great Outdoors. I remember when I was 8 getting so excited about Uncle Buck coming out. As for father figure - he is the dad that everyone would want.
Posts: 2586 | From: Defrauding the company from abroad | Registered: Jan 2010 | Site Updates: 24
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Absolutely; Hollywood needs to put more Chet Ripley-level fathers on the screen these days, someone who can inspire.
I heard on an ABC NewsBrief right before 20/20 that evening (either ironically or fittingly right after the Jamaicans had what is to date their best Winter Olympic bobsled showing); although I wouldn't completely verify what the world had lost until my first viewing of PT&A a few months later, the air did come out of me as well. It wasn't supposed to end that way, I thought at the time; there was supposed to be so much more to entertain us. Then again, one could rationalize that given how much the studios took almost sadistic pleasure in manipulating and betraying him all through his career (repeatedly he signed up for scripts that looked good at first, but were then rewritten without his input for the worse; a long-term deal with the Walt Disney Company was thrown out the window once the Eisner/Wells team took over, without his consultation; especially later on, the studios gravely mismarketed each film so they never had a fair chance in theaters, so who can blame him for being infuriated at being treated as a joke by those in power?) they didn't deserve his services. And it's worth noting American comedy has been SIZEABLY poorer since, Farley films excluded.
But why be sad? In a little under 20 years, you can fairly argue he ended up doing more good for this planet than 98% of world leaders and Nobel peace laureates could ever hope to accomplish in their lifetimes. For true comedy is true power, and exercised properly, it can make the world a better place. And he knew it. And he used it for the best. And so he did gain immortality.
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Great post Chris. John Candy is like no other. He will always have a special place in my heart, especially his cheeky giggle and his warm smile.
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posted
Not my faves, but worth mentioning; 'Splash', 'Brewster's Millions', 'Stripes', 'Volunteers' and 'Armed and Dangerous'.
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Candy and Tupac in the same movie.... now that's just weird, as is the whole movie, really!
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Saw it when it first came out on video and have not seen it since. Terrible.
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Gordongekko, you really hit the nail on the head with your assessment of John Candy. He had such a laidback, genuine personality that made him seem more natural than other movie comedians. He was the definitely the type of guy I could picture being a father figure or just a friend to hang out with at a bar or restaurant. I miss him each and every day, wishing he was still here making great comedies.
Oh yeah, here's my top 5 favorites:
1. The Great Outdoors ("So when you go to bed tonight, and your hear a noise, whatever you do, don't look out the window... because there might be a bear!")
2. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles ("Larry Bird doesn't do as much ball-handling in one night as you do in an hour!")
3. Armed and Dangerous ("Yeah, it's a 50 caliber. They used to use it to hunt buffalo with... up close! It's only legal in two states. And this isn't one of them.")
4. Summer Rental ("Come on through. I'm Joe Public, welcome to my beach.")
5. Uncle Buck ("Take this quarter, go downtown, and have a rat gnaw that thing off your face! Good day to you, madam.")
My favorite characters are easily Del Griffith and Chet Ripley.
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Nothing But Trouble is on my shelf - still in the box after sitting there for around seven years or so. I'll watch it one day, I guess....
But I had forgotton all about 'Volunteers'. Tom Tuttle from Tacoma was a great character!
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posted
Give Nothing But Trouble a little more credit; a bit bizarre and out there, but still more than bearable for me (again too much studio interference shorn down what could have been a much better idea from Aykroyd)
And when it comes to quotes, let's not also forget:
-"Hi, this is Car...what number are we?...Car 55; uh, we're in a truck."
-"To tell you the truth, Nicki Downing, there's a way you and I are both very much alike: we're both traveling through life...IN A CAR WITH NO BRAKES!!!!!"
-"Now a respectable start time is 5.7 seconds. If you speed demons can't whip off an even 6 flat, you have more of a chance becoming a barber shop quartet."
-Oh my gosh; it's not just a spaceship, it's a Transformer!"
-"I must be dead!" (checks) "I AM dead!! I'm in Hell! And my punishment is spending eternity on my own show!!!"
-"Chanice, I've got some bad news.....Just...let...give...no but...you don't...would you just...let...gimme...you let me get...just let me get...you're not gonna...gimme a...DOOOOOOOOHHHH!!!!"
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Awesome post gordongecko! My favorites are Only the Lonely- Danny, and Uncle Buck.
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planes trains and aotumobiles wll always be the best then comes uncle buck
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Valley Dated Julie From 'Valley Girl' (allegedly!)
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John Candy was great in so many movies, but as quite a few other folks mentioned..
He will forever be my Uncle Buck!!
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). It can be just a look he gives or a small witty line. But until you really pay attention or watch a movie a few times, you don't get it.
