John Candy discussion and poll: pick your 4 favorite films

A lot of discussion on the forum of John Candy (including a couple of threads dedicated to Candy), and rightfully so. He is a beloved actor that has many unforgettable characters, and of the most likable people in Hollywood. He could play the "every man" with heart, tenderness, silliness, and had great comedic delivery and timing. One of his underrated aspects is how well he could play supporting roles, having cameos and smaller roles but made the most of them.

I didn't include the voice over films (Hot To Trot, Rescuers Down Under)... I would've included them if the poll allowed more options.

 

I voted for Plane, Train and Automobiles and Home Alone because they're the only movies of his I've seen.

I do plan on watching spaceballs and Armed and Dangerous though.

Also I loved his work on SCTV

 

My favorite of his even though he was only a supporting cast member, gotta go with Stripes. I don't know but
the supporting cast really made this movie,John Larroquette,Herold Ramis,.....Warren Oates....Uncle Hulka?
Conrad Dunn....."Lighten up Francis.....psycho"

Murray portraying the slacker was good...but I think having Candy in this
really made it great...Dewey Oxburger....a Lean, Mean, Fightin' Machine !

 

Nearly impossible to say, but Candy stole Stripes from Murray. Everything Candy did in that film was gold.
I voted PTA, Stripes, Vacation and JFK. I would have loved to have seen more dramatic from John as he was excellent in JFK.

 

Just as in Splash---he stole it from Tom Hanks.

 

Spaceballs
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
The Great Outdoors
Uncle Buck

 

The Blues Brothers
Spaceballs
Home Alone
Rookie Of The Year

 

Not known for serious acting , I totally dug his small role in 'JFK '
" You're as crazy as your mama. Goes to show it's in the genes ! The government's going to jump all over your head ,Jim , and go cock-a-doodle-do ! "

 

Great thread idea!!

I went with:
Stripes
Uncle Buck
The Great Outdoors
JFK

He basically stole every scene he was in for Stripes, so I'd pick that as his best even though he wasn't a lead character.

 

In order of his best performances:

Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Uncle Buck
Stripes
The Blues Brothers

Honorable mention goes to " Vacation ".

 

He didn't make a lot of great movies but he was often great in whatever movie he was in.

 

Planes trains and Automobiles is by far his best role.

I do miss him. Died way to young.

 

Only The Lonely
Planes, Trains And Automobiles
The Great Outdoors
Stripes

In that order.

 

Even though I love Home Alone, Vacation and Blues Brothers, he had very small roles in each, and I wanted to vote for films where he was a lead or major supporting character, thus I went with:

Uncle Buck
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Brewster's Millions
Stripes

I liked Summer Rental and The Great Outdoors both a lot when I was kid, but neither has aged well. I don't find either funny anymore, outside of a few chuckles.

 

Some of these are good films that Candy only had a small part in.

Of the films where he was the lead actor, Planes, Trains & Automobiles wins this poll for me, running away.

 

Armed
Planes
Crumb
Buck

 

Stripes
Vacation
Blue Brothers
Planes Trains Automobile

 

So far I'm the only one who voted for Going Berserk!

Along with The Blues Brothers, Stripes & Planes, Trains & Automobiles.

 

He was at his absolute best in the greatest ensemble comedy show ever made - SCTV.
I've seen these episodes dozens of times and they still make me laugh.

 

They also, in my opinion, completely blow away Saturday Night Live when the whole scope of work is taken into account...but SNL gets the press and fanfare.

 

Only the Lonely and Cool Runnings are two great later movies of his.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Uncle Buck are easy picks for me as well.

 

Still no love for Going Berserk?

Maybe this'll help:


Jerome Willy Muhammed: I know the police out there... with their machine guns and helicopters. Oh, we're going to get blown away! But that's all right... because we're ready to die.

John Bourgignon: No, we're not.

Chick Leff: Now what are you going to say to her?

John Bourgignon: I'm going to take your advice. I'm going to sit her down. Look her in the eyes. And lie my ass off.

Chick Leff: Always works, Johnny.

 

You might be the only one who has seen it

Seriously though, that's a movie that I may have seen but if I did it was only once and probably when it first came to cable or video. Many others might be in the same boat as me.

 

Summer Rental for me. Not his funniest movie but I like how he interacted with Rip Torn's Robert Shaw knockoff character.
"Are there any more of those goldfish crackers?"
"Ye ate em' all!"

 

I just loved John Candy, he was always great even if his vehicles weren’t. Whenever he was on screen it was a good time.

Still feel his loss, rare comedic gift he had.