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Head Home for Thanksgiving by Plane, Train or Automobile!

© Candice Livingston

A turkey roasting in the oven, the mouth-watering smell of pumpkin pie, sounds of football and conversation ringing through the house. Yes, it is that time of year again when people all over the United States gather to give thanks. Granted, often the gratitude is partly given to the fact that no flights were cancelled, no food was burned and so far none of the kids have spilled the sparkling cranberry juice on the carpet. In spite of the potential disasters and piles of dishes the Thanksgiving holiday brings, it is a time that also brings family and friends together and is associated with happiness, hugs and an endless warmth. As you take turns around the table this year sharing the things you are most grateful for, don’t forget to thank the cook!

In Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Neal Page (Steve Martin) knows the wonder and warmth that comes with heading home for this holiday and all he wants to do is get there. When his flight is cancelled, he decides to find some other way to get home, while in the process he is joined by Del Griffith (John Candy). Rather than sharing in Page’s excitement to get home to his family and turkey dinner, Griffith provides endless chatter and close proximity companionship.

Del: I know you, don’t I? I’m usually very good with names, but I’ll be [darned] if I haven’t forgotten yours.
Neal: You stole my cab.
Del: I’ve never stolen anything in my life.
Neal: I hailed a cab on Park Avenue this afternoon and before I could get in you stole it.
Del: You’re the guy who tried to get my cab. I knew I knew you. Yeah, you scared the begesus out of me. Come to think of it, it was awful easy to get a cab during rush hour.

Del: Let me make it up to you somehow, huh? Please? How about a nice hotdog and a beer?
Neal: Uh, no thanks.
Del: Just a hot dog then.
Neal: I’m kind of picky about what I eat.
Del: Some coffee?
Neal: No.
Del: Milk?
Neal: No.
Del: Soda?
Neal: No.
Del: Some tea?
Neal: No.
Del: Lifesavers?
Neal: No.
Del: Slurpy?
Neal: Sir, please.
Del: Just let me know. I’m here.

Neal: What do you suppose the temperature is?
Del: One.

Neal: Look, I don’t want to be rude but I’m not much of a conversationalist, and I really want to finish this article, a friend of mine wrote it, so…