Search Captions & Ask AI

Steve Martin & Martin Short Share John Candy Memories I Fly on the Wall

August 09, 2023 / 02:38

This episode discusses the making of the film Planes, Trains and Automobiles, featuring insights on the script by John Hughes, ad-libbing, and memorable performances.

The guest shares that the original script was 152 pages long, significantly longer than the typical length, and that Hughes wrote it in a short time. The guest recalls asking Hughes about cutting the script and how it initially ran four and a half hours.

There are anecdotes about ad-libbing during filming, including the famous line, "Those aren't pillows," which was improvised. The guest mentions how the ad-libbing process extended filming times and the fun atmosphere on set.

The guest fondly remembers John Hughes, describing him as sweet and funny, and highlights his ability to evoke strong emotions in his performances, particularly in Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

Key moments from the film are discussed, including a poignant scene that was trimmed, showcasing Hughes' talent as an actor and storyteller.

TL;DR

The episode covers the making of <i>Planes, Trains and Automobiles</i>, focusing on John Hughes' script and memorable ad-libbed moments.

Video

00:00:00
when Planes Trains does that come
00:00:01
written funny and written for you too or
00:00:04
is one of you guys attached first of all
00:00:07
the script was fantastic it was written
00:00:10
by John Hughes the theory supposedly he
00:00:13
wrote it over a weekend
00:00:14
and and when I got the script I think it
00:00:17
was 152 pages long and a normal script
00:00:22
is maybe 110 or 112. so I said to him
00:00:25
God the script's so good John
00:00:26
congratulations what are you gonna cut
00:00:28
and he said
00:00:30
but
00:00:33
and the first draft of the film came in
00:00:35
at four and a half hours wow but anyway
00:00:37
then he encouraged John and I to ad-lib
00:00:39
and like there's a lot of ad-lib uh
00:00:41
scenes like in the motel room we're kind
00:00:45
of giggling and laughing and then some
00:00:46
jokes we just made up like um those
00:00:49
aren't pillows was made up on the screen
00:00:51
that's kind of the that's the line of
00:00:54
the big trailer lines
00:00:58
he was he was so sweet and we got along
00:01:01
so great
00:01:02
in fact we made a deal at some point
00:01:04
about three weeks in we said with ad-lib
00:01:07
a scene and then they'd have to cover
00:01:08
the ad-libs so a scene that might take
00:01:10
an hour was now starting to take three
00:01:12
hours and we said we made a deal no more
00:01:14
ad-living We're Not Gonna ad-lib anymore
00:01:16
but he would make me laugh so much he
00:01:18
would do a a Gladiator movie
00:01:22
uh like an Italian dubbed Gladiator
00:01:24
movie where he would he would say the
00:01:27
Latin Italian and then his lips would
00:01:29
keep moving like it was done
00:01:30
[Laughter]
00:01:33
yeah he was shot down before your queen
00:01:35
Centurion
00:01:37
and that is lips
00:01:40
yeah now John was John was an angel I
00:01:44
can still see John walk in this door
00:01:46
right now that's what a strong and he
00:01:49
had a great laugh he loved to laugh
00:01:51
yeah that's good that's good
00:01:55
his uh the pathos that he in uh Planes
00:02:00
Trains and automobile yeah he really
00:02:01
that moment when at the end I mean he's
00:02:04
world-class kind of silent film
00:02:07
absolutely uh he was just a great actor
00:02:09
there was a scene in the movie that took
00:02:11
place at the end that was trimmed down
00:02:14
uh it's where he tells me his wife I
00:02:17
want to do spoilers but it's 40 years
00:02:19
old
00:02:21
it's on Amazon you can order it but
00:02:25
anyway I was I was you know two feet
00:02:28
across from him I'm doing the off screen
00:02:29
and I thought I'm seeing one of the
00:02:31
Great Performances I've ever seen with
00:02:33
his speech I got to be there

Badges

This episode stands out for the following:

  • 85
    Best performance
  • 80
    Best writing
  • 80
    Most timeless
  • 75
    Most quotable

Episode Highlights

  • John Hughes' Script
    The script was 152 pages long, far exceeding the typical length.
    “God the script's so good John”
    @ 00m 25s
    August 09, 2023
  • Ad-libbing Fun
    The cast enjoyed ad-libbing, leading to longer shooting times and lots of laughter.
    “he would make me laugh so much”
    @ 01m 16s
    August 09, 2023
  • A Great Actor
    John Hughes delivered one of the greatest performances in a touching scene.
    “I'm seeing one of the Great Performances I've ever seen”
    @ 02m 31s
    August 09, 2023

Episode Quotes

Key Moments

  • Script Length00:17
  • Ad-libbing00:37
  • Fond Memories01:44
  • Great Performance02:31

Words per Minute Over Time

Vibes Breakdown

Related Episodes

Podcast thumbnail
Steve Martin and Martin Short | Full Episode | Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade
Podcast thumbnail
Anthony Michael Hall | Full Episode | Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade
Podcast thumbnail
The Phil Hartman Tribute Episode (Live from the Groundlings Theater) | Full Episode| Fly on the Wall
Podcast thumbnail
Nick Swardson | Full Episode | Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade