John Candy: A Look at His Classic Films

For those of us who grew up in the eighties, John Candy was a regular part of our childhood, often popping up on our TV screens and delighting us with his comedic roles. The lovable actor and comedian filled the 80s and early 90s with tonnes of classic films, he was a scene stealer, he always stole the show! He had that rare quality of likability, I mean who doesn't love John Candy films?!

John Candy was born in Ontario, Canada, on 31st October, 1950. He was truly a one off! Sadly he died of a heart attack, on March 4th, 1994. He was just 43 years old.

He left a top class legacy of films behind, of which we can always enjoy. John Candy is forever alive on our screen. Let’s have a look at some of the iconic films, by the one-of-a-kind, in a league of his own, the legend that was John Candy.

Let's start with Brewster’s Millions. Richard Pryor is Brewster, a man who has spent his life skint! But he comes into money, and lots of it! Brewster can have either one million dollars upfront or spend 30 million dollars in 30 days, and inherit 300 million dollars! He chooses the 30 million... However, Brewster is not allowed to tell anybody about his task, not even his ever loyal friend, Spike Nolan (John Candy), who can’t understand many of Brewster’s decisions with his spending! Richard Pryor is utterly fantastic in the role of Brewster.

The Great Outdoors: This comedy from 1988, was written and produced by John Hughes, whom John Candy often teamed up with. Chet Ripley (Candy) takes his family away on holiday to a lakeside cabin, for fishing, relaxing and family time. Then, out of the blue Chet’s brother-in-law, the very full-of-himself Roman (Dan Aykroyd), appears with his family and gatecrashes the holiday! Roman, who is secretly broke, has a plan he intends to put into action. Chet Ripley is such a lovable character; it's hilarious when he water skis at a very fast speed on the lake, though he didn’t intend too! Oh, and the old 96er Steak scene, did he eat it? Yeah, no problem! Kind of!

Another timeless classic is Splash. It's often said that this was the film that really gave John Candy his breakthrough role, the part which really got him noticed. Splash starred Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah and was directed by none other than Ron Howard in 1984. Tom Hanks falls in love with a mermaid, played incredibly by Daryl Hannah. Candy is Freddie Bauer, the womanising brother of Hanks. Candy and Hanks were a perfect pairing; they really bounced off each other, and the superb connection really sparkles on screen. Splash is always a treat to watch.

Comedy Genius

Summer Rental: This comedy was released in 1985 and it's truly one laugh after another! John Candy plays Jack Chester, who takes his family on holiday after having to take a four-week leave from work. The family then come into one problem after another! A sign is misread when they find their holiday house, and it turns out it's the wrong house! Another funny scene is when Jack Chester falls asleep in the sun and gets very sunburnt, which leaves a very noticeable tan line on his body!

One of my favourites is National Lampoons Vacation; however, this was only a small role for Candy, but he made it such a memorable role, in such a classic film. The Griswold’s travel across America to go to their favourite family fun park, Wally World, with one disaster after another! Clark W Griswold (Chevy Chase) falls asleep driving, gets lost in the desert, steals money out a till, and leaves poor deceased Aunt Edna in the pouring rain, on a relative's porch! That’s just a taste of the family’s goings on on their road trip! The Griswolds make it to Wally World to find the park is closed. Enter John Candy as Russ Lasky, the geeky guy who works at the fun park! Clark, not wanting to disappoint his family, takes Russ prisoner and makes him take them on the rides, including a roller coaster Russ had a bad experience on, and he throws up! With Chevy Chase in his iconic role of Clark W. Griswold, it's a film you can watch again and again.

Home Alone, the timeless 1990 film, the box office smash hit, which made Macaulay Culkin one of the most successful child stars of all time. Which see’s Candy team up again with John Hughes, who wrote and produced the film. It was directed by Chris Columbus. Macaulay Culkin was perfectly cast as the lead in this film. The boy, Kevin, who is accidentally left home alone, defends his home from burglars with a fantastic set up of booby traps! John Candy appears at the airport, where Kate (Catherine O’Hara) is desperately trying to get home to her son, Kevin. Candy plays Gus Polinski, the polka king of the Midwest. Traveling with his band to Milwaukee, he overhears Kate, who needs to get to Chicago, and offers her a ride.

Only The Lonely is a romantic comedy directed by Chris Columbus in 1991. Co-starring Ally Sheedy and Maureen O’Hara, Candy plays Danny Muldoon, long time bachelor, who still lives with his overbearing, protective, Irish Mother (O’Hara). Danny falls in love with Theresa (Sheedy), but Danny’s Mother isn’t going to so easily let her Danny go...

Truly A One Off!

The last film to be released in John Candy's lifetime was Cool Runnings, a comedy made in 1993 roughly based on the story of the Jamaica National Bobsleigh Team. Candy is Irv Blitzer, an American, twice-winning gold bobsled medalist at the 1968 Winter Olympics. Irv is taken on board to coach the Jamaican team.

Then there is Planes, Trains and Automobiles, with a magical partnership of comedy between Steve Martin and John Candy having many setbacks on their quest to get home for Thanksgiving. Del Griffith (Candy), the shower curtain ring salesman, who’s very chatty and friendly is the opposite of Neal Page (Steve Martin), who finds Del annoying, but finds himself stuck with him due to a flight cancellation; it was sleep on the airport floor or go to a hotel with Del. Their adventure begins... It's a great scene when Neal and Del are driving in a car, which was smashed up, been burnt, had no roof, or windows, but as Del points out to the policeman who stops them, the radio still works!

In Uncle Buck, made in 1989, yet again John Candy works with John Hughes, who directed the film. Candy is Buck Russell, who is called in to look after his brothers children after his wife’s father had a heart attack. Uncle Buck, who bets on horses, smokes, and doesn’t work, has a heart of gold! He looks after the children in the only way he knows how. He make’s Miles (Macaulay Culkin) a giant pancake for his birthday and the toast he couldn’t even get through the door! He shouts at his niece's headmistress for being too hard on her! He sorts out his oldest niece's boyfriend for treating her badly by putting him in his car boot, then when he frees him, in his departure, Buck gets out his golf club and whacks a few golf balls at him! Go Uncle Buck!

Plus the scene where Buck is dancing with neighbour, Marcie Dahlgren-Frost, and they clash heads, is hilarious! The conversation between Uncle Buck and Miles is a classic scene too. Miles grilling Buck big time!

Buck: “What’s you record for consecutive questions asked?”

Miles: “38.”

Buck: “I’m your Dad’s brother alright.”

Miles: “You have much more hair on your nose than my Dad.”

Buck: “How nice of you to notice!”

Miles: “I’m a kid, that’s my job!”

John Candy, it's always such a joy to watch his films. There really are so many more to mention, but those films are my particular favourites. He was just so likable. His films were uplifting, feel good, comedies. He always makes you smile. John Candy... a Hollywood Legend.