The Wrenching John Candy Scene That Made Steve Martin Weep, But Never Made It On Screen
The John Hughes movie Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, starring Steve Martin and John Candy is generally considered one of the best comedies of all time. And while the movie is hilarious, there’s one scene in the movie that moved Martin to tears. In an interview for his documentary STEVE! (Martin), Martin described a touching scene where Candy delivers a long monologue about his character’s backstory, but it never made it to the final cut.
Planets, Trains, And Automobiles
The documentary, directed by Oscar-winner Morgan Neville, delves into Steve Martin’s journey from his rise to comedy stardom to his life both on and off the stage.
One poignant segment of the documentary focuses on Martin’s cherished memories of his co-star, John Candy, who passed away tragically in 1994.
Reflecting on their bond, Martin described Candy as “very sensitive and very complex,” emphasizing the deep connection they shared.
Recalling John Candy
Interweaving scenes from Planes, Trains, and Automobiles with personal anecdotes, Steve Martin, now 78, revisited his home storage facility, showcasing scripts and memorabilia from the beloved comedy film written and directed by John Hughes.
Martin’s emotions surfaced as he recalled a poignant scene featuring John Candy’s character, Del Griffith, delivering a heartfelt monologue about his life.
Cut From The Film
Describing the scene, Steve Martin held up the screenplay, explaining, “He had a beautiful scene… He gives the entire explanation of his life. And I was opposite him. I was weeping as he was performing it.”
However, Martin revealed that much of John Candy’s emotional speech was ultimately cut from the final film, leaving only a brief moment where Del confesses, “I don’t have a home.”
Steve Martin Not Happy
Expressing his disappointment at the scene’s editing, Steve Martin visibly struggled to contain his emotions, highlighting John Candy’s poignant portrayal and the depth of their on-screen chemistry.
“It was all cut. I don’t know why it was cut except for tempo, and maybe you’re at the end and you don’t want to hear a long speech. It was cut down to a line or two.”
Reciting The Lines
While Steve Martin held back from reading the entire monologue, he recalled a line John Candy’s character said that he particularly loved.
Martin recited the line saying, “‘I sort of attach myself to people from time to time, like with you, especially around the holidays. I can take it in March, July, October. But it gets hard. This time, I couldn’t let it go.’”
“We really loved each other,” Steve Martin said, recalling his time with John Candy.
Remembering The Icon
The documentary further explores Steve Martin’s illustrious career, including his partnership with longtime friend Martin Short and the recent success of Only Murders in the Building.
In addition to his touching recollections of working with John Candy, the documentary is interspersed with interviews from comedy icons like Tina Fey, Jerry Seinfeld, and Diane Keaton, as the documentary offers an intimate glimpse into Martin’s life and legacy.
To see Steve Martin recall the touching John Candy scene, watch STEVE! (Martin) A Documentary in 2 Pieces, which is now available for streaming on Apple TV+.
Source: People
