Cary and Irene (THE AWFUL TRUTH)

Monday, November 22, 2010

Planes, Trains and Automobiles(1987).







Planes, Trains and Automobiles(1987). It was written, produced and directed by John Hughes. Cast: Steve Martin and John Candy.

After being on a business trip in New York, Neal Page is traveling back home to be with his family in time for Thanksgiving. His journey begins with with Del Griffith stealing his taxi cab right out from under his nose. Their misadventure continues when their flight from LaGuardia Airport to O'Hare is diverted to Wichita because of a blizzard. What should have been a 1 hour and 45 minute New York-to-Chicago flight turns into a three-day adventure. To complicate matters even further, on the first night in Wichita, a thief breaks into their motel room and steals all their money.

After burning down the car, Neal blames Del for all their troubles. In turn Del accuses Neal of being too critical. After their heated argument, a bond forms between them and they pull their resources together to finally make their way home.

Believing that Del has a family of his own, the two men part ways. Neal later pieces together things Del said and realizes that Del is alone. Will Neal go back to the train station looking for Del?

In my opinion John Candy is underrated comedian. There are some important messages in this film.For example the argument scene: Del says, "You wanna hurt me? Go right ahead if it makes you feel any better. I'm an easy target. Yeah, you're right, I talk too much. But I also listen too much. I could be a cold-hearted cynical like you, but I don't like to hurt people's feelings. So you go right on and think what you like about me. But I'm not changing. I - I like me. My wife likes me. My customers like me. 'Cause I'm the real deal. Wotcha see is wotcha get. "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" is one of my favorite Comedies. Happy Thanksgiving. Sorry, I could only find part 1 of the documentary.

Laila Robins, performed in many film and television roles. In 2006, she played Nora Paxton in The Book of Daniel. She played Victoria Heller in Gabriel's Fire(1990). She also appeared in the television movie Dream Breakers (1989) and The Equalizer(1988). On The Sopranos, she portrayed the younger version of manipulative, conniving, abusive family matriarch Livia Soprano. In 1987, she played Steve Martin's wife in the movie Planes, Trains & Automobiles directed by the late John Hughes. In 2006, she played Toddy Allen in The Good Shepherd, directed by Robert De Niro. She made her film debut in the 1987 picture, A Walk on the Moon. In 2009, it was announced that she will be playing Claire Williams, on the daytime drama, All My Children.


Sunday, November 14, 2010

Ginger Rogers Having Wonderful Time (1938)

Ginger headlines this terrific comedy as New York office girl Thelma "Teddy" Shaw who goes to the Catskills for some rest and relaxation and winds up being romanced by Douglas Fairbanks Jr. It's all entertaining fun with Ginger and Douglas making quite a good pair. And also the supporting cast is top notch with Eve Arden, Lucille Ball, and Jack Carson. Coincidentally these three had just worked with Rogers the year before on the classic film Stage Door. Having Wonderful Time is a breezy comedy that I enjoyed thoroughly.

Monday, November 1, 2010

New Poll Started

Vivacious Lady
Over on my other blog, All Good Things, Ginger Rogers is my classic movie goddess for the month of November. So I decided that my poll on this page would be about her. Of course everyone knows of her legendary run with Fred Astaire in those wonderful musicals. And her Oscar winning role in the film Kitty Foyle. But Ginger also did several screwball comedies that were some of the best of the genre. I pose the question which one was your favorite. The six choices are Stage Door; Tom, Dick & Harry; Monkey Business; Vivacious Lady; Roxie Hart; and Stage Door. There were a few more comedies I could have chosen but I decided to limit the choices to six. I may do another poll featuring Ginger before the month is out as well. So please drop by and vote for your favorite comedy of hers.