IMDb >
Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsPlanes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 23 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 2) |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
John Hughes (written by)
Release Date:
25 November 1987 (USA)
more
Tagline:
Steve Martin had no reason to panic...until John Candy came along. more
Plot:
A man must struggle to travel home for Thanksgiving, with an obnoxious slob of a shower ring salesman his only companion. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
NewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Stars Pay Tribute To John Hughes
(From WENN. 7 August 2009, 1:11 AM, PDT)
John Hughes, Bard of Teen Angst, Dead at 59
(From E! Online. 6 August 2009, 3:30 PM, PDT)
(From WENN. 7 August 2009, 1:11 AM, PDT)
John Hughes, Bard of Teen Angst, Dead at 59
(From E! Online. 6 August 2009, 3:30 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Consistently funny with some good adult sentiment
more (265 total)
US TV Schedule:
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Steve Martin | ... | Neal Page | |
| John Candy | ... | Del Griffith | |
| Laila Robins | ... | Susan Page | |
| Michael McKean | ... | State Trooper | |
| Kevin Bacon | ... | Taxi Racer | |
| Dylan Baker | ... | Owen | |
| Carol Bruce | ... | Joy | |
| Olivia Burnette | ... | Marti | |
| Diana Douglas | ... | Peg | |
| Martin Ferrero | ... | Second Motel Clerk | |
| Larry Hankin | ... | Doobie | |
| Richard Herd | ... | Walt | |
| Susan Kellermann | ... | Waitress (as Susan Kellerman) | |
| Matthew Lawrence | ... | Little Neal | |
| Edie McClurg | ... | Car Rental Agent |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (USA) (video box title)
more
more
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
93 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Ireland:15 |
Netherlands:AL |
Iceland:L |
Canada:14A (Ontario) |
South Korea:15 |
New Zealand:PG |
Argentina:Atp |
Australia:M |
Canada:PG |
Chile:14 |
Finland:S |
Peru:PT |
Singapore:PG |
Sweden:7 |
UK:15 |
USA:R (certificate #28537) |
West Germany:6
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
At the beginning of the movie, Neal Page (Steve Martin) races a character played by Kevin Bacon for a taxi. Later, Neal phones his wife to tell her that he has been delayed (again), in the background, you can hear the fight from She's Having a Baby (1988) (also directed by John Hughes) between Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern, when she screams that she doesn't like his friend's girlfriend.
more
Goofs:
Errors in geography: When driving down the highway, the road has raised reflector dots. Reflector dots are not used in the Midwest because the snow plows would rip them right out of the road.
more
Quotes:
Marti Page:
Mom, is Grandpa Walter going to give me noogies?
Susan Page: Of course he's going to give you noogies. He loves giving you noogies. That's how he tells you he loves you.
Little Neal Page: Why doesn't he give me noogies?
Susan Page: Because you get Indian burns.
Little Neal Page: But I prefer noogies.
more
Susan Page: Of course he's going to give you noogies. He loves giving you noogies. That's how he tells you he loves you.
Little Neal Page: Why doesn't he give me noogies?
Susan Page: Because you get Indian burns.
Little Neal Page: But I prefer noogies.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "Best! Movies! Ever!: Rants (#1.4)" (2007)
more
Soundtrack:
I Can Take Anything
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (265 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Sullivan's Travels | Jesus' Son | Professione: reporter | The Fugitive | My Own Private Idaho |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Adventure section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |












Neal Page is trying to get home in time for thanksgiving with his family. When his plane is diverted to Wichita due to heavy snow elsewhere he finds himself partnering up with shower curtain salesman Del Griffith. However Del is not Neal's immediate first choice for travelling partner and the two soon find that one misfortune after another wears their patience very thin.
While comedies have moved on to become more grosser and outrageous in order to tickle our dulled funny bone, PT&A manages it with what now seems like restraint but is really a good example of `wacky' comedy, mixed with a good vein of sentiment and character. The plot is pretty good although some of it pushes the boat out to the unreal in order to get laughs but this isn't a problem because it DOES get laughs, if it hadn't then it might have been an issue. Most of it is hilarious although some drags early on.
The deeper beauty of the film is how well controlled Hughes is in painting his emotions. Usually his stuff can be sickly sweet but here he mixes it well with the comedy. The relationship between Neal and Del is good and they both have things to learn (more so Neal), the hurt they inflict on one another is well done and not to the point that the comedy is stopped. Thankfully the two actors are good enough to carry it off. Martin is close to his manic best and Candy plays a loveable goof. The best scene to see them working is when Martin is laying into Del in the hotel room the expressions on their faces (Candy esp) during this makes it hard not to feel anything. The support cast do good work whether it be now-famous cameos or just support cast but each character has their own little thing!
Overall I worry that modern audiences may have become so used to everything being so OTT and gross that this film may seem subtle (even though it isn't). However aside from that this is a very funny film that does have a good heart. Not a perfect film in any way but it does exactly what it says on the tin - it made me laugh hard but also had a believable emotional core.