7 John Candy Films That Make Me Miss the Comedy Great ...

By Rosalina

There are some wonderful John Candy films that make me miss the comedy great. I can't believe that it's twenty years since the great John Candy passed away at the age of 42. John Candy was a Canadian actor and was reported by many to be one of the nicest guys in the movie industry. Humble, friendly and a larger-than-life character, he left behind a comedy movie legacy which we're able to enjoy long after his untimely death in 1994. Here are some fabulous John Candy films.

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1

Planes Trains and Automobiles

This is one of my all-time favourite films and in this, John Candy demonstrated his capacity to pull at the heart strings and amuse in equal measure. Here, he teams up with another comedy great in the shape of Steve Martin as they use multiple modes of transport to get home. My favourite scene is yes, you guessed it, "Those aren't pillows!" This is one of the best John Candy films and I would go so far as to say one of the THE best comedies ever.

2

Uncle Buck

This is one of my favourite John Candy movies and in my opinion, it shows him at his comedy best. When Bob and Cindy Russell need to make an emergency trip to visit Bob's father, Uncle Buck is called in to babysit. What transpires is Candy comedy gold as he attempts to befriend the cantankerous teen, played by Jean Louisa Kelly, and plays the fatherly role by visiting the school principle when the young Maizy appears to be under performing at school. The final scene when the credits role always puts a lump in my throat as it's a still of John Candy's friendly face.

3

The Great Outdoors

I have four words to say "Big bear chase me!" Uttered by anyone else and these lines wouldn't be half as amusing but when John Candy is breathless and faced with his incredulous family and friends as he warns them of impending bear doom, it's hilarious.

4

Brewster's Millions

This is another fabulous comedy and stars Richard Pryor as the inheritor of millions and Candy as his best friend who tries his very best to help Brewster spend his windfall. This movie is one of my favourite comedies and I think it's one of those underrated and under-appreciated movies.

5

Cool Runnings

This is one of Candy's last movies and one of his best. It was something of a departure from his usual roles and he played a more serious character as the coach of the Jamaican bobsled team. This movie is loosely based on the true story of the Jamaican national bobsled team's debut in the bobsled competition in the Winter Olympics in Canada in 1988.

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6

Home Alone

Although a relatively minor role in this classic from 1990, John Candy still stole the show with his musician-saving-the-day character, Gus Polanski. Home Alone was also written by John Hughes who wrote "Planes, Trains and Automobiles". The concept for this movie allegedly originated during the filming of a scene in "Uncle Buck" (another John Hughes movie) in which Macauley Culkin's character interrogates a prospective baby-sitter through the letterbox. And the rest as they say, is movie history.

7

Splash

One of the the greatest 80s films starring Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah, Candy plays the sleazy brother of Tom Hanks' character. It was one of his breakthrough movies and paved the way for more eighties' Candy comedies that would seal his reputation for being the larger-than-life funny man of the silver screen.

So, if you're feeling blue and in need of cheering up, don't reach for the treats because these John Candy movies are so much sweeter! Which are your favorite John Candy movies?

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Wasn't he in "Caddyshack"?

He was great! I especially loved planes,trains....,and Uncle Buck. I had forgotten about Brewsters Millions. That was a childhood family favourite. We would watch it over and over...ahh memories.

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