Steve Martin recently reflected on a deeply emotional moment cut from “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” spotlighting the Steve Martin deleted scene that profoundly moved him during production. The revelation sheds light on the creative decisions behind John Hughes’ celebrated Thanksgiving film and how those choices impacted the final narrative.
Lost Scenes and an Untold Subplot in a Beloved Classic
Directed by John Hughes, “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” stands as a favorite Thanksgiving movie, yet audiences might be surprised to know that the film’s finished version differs significantly from the original script. Among the unused footage was an entire story arc centered on Susan, the wife of Steve Martin’s character Neal, who suspects her husband of infidelity. This subplot, along with several other scenes, never made it past the editing room.
One of the removed moments was especially meaningful to Steve Martin. As the biography by Paul Myers recounts, this particular Steve Martin deleted scene was a standout for the actor, revealing a different emotional shade that ultimately was omitted from the release.
The Emotional Weight of Del Griffith’s Story
The film’s ending, as viewers know it, has Neal returning to the train station to find Del Griffith, played by John Candy. It’s here that Del shares with Neal, and the audience, that he has been a widower for eight years, following the death of his wife Marie. His revelation explains his life spent on the road and sets up the tearful final moments as Neal and Del walk to Neal’s home, the trunk in tow.
Originally, the script gave Del a longer, more sorrowful monologue. In the script, Del details his wife’s passing from illness, regrets over not starting a family, and the pain that led him to sell his home because he
didn’t much feel like being there
once Marie was gone. – Del Griffith
Steve Martin revealed in Paul Myers’
“John Candy: A Life in Comedy”
that John Candy’s delivery during this deleted moment was so powerful that it regularly moved him to tears.
performed so beautifully by John, and he made me cry every time
– Steve Martin, recounted in biography
John Candy’s Improvisation and the Scene’s Legacy
Martin specifically recalled a line from Del’s monologue that resonated with him, especially the part where Del admits his yearly search for company during the holidays.
I remember the line that killed me was when he said, ‘Every year I travel on my own. And every year around the holiday, I latch onto somebody. But this time I couldn’t let it go,’
– Steve Martin, recounted in biography
According to Nick de Semlyen’s
“Wild and Crazy Guys: How the Comedy Mavericks of the ’80s Changed Hollywood Forever,”
the phrase
but this time I couldn’t let it go
was improvised by John Candy, further illustrating Candy’s emotional range. Martin was reportedly shocked to find this poignant ad-lib missing from the final film, saying
because when I was watching the film I thought, ‘Oh boy, here it comes.’
– Steve Martin
In a 2022 interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Martin reiterated his surprise about the reduced scene.
I was surprised the scene was trimmed way down. I never understood why John and I didn’t ask John (Hughes) because that’s his business.
– Steve Martin, interview with Chicago Sun-Times
Why the Scene Was Cut: Filmmaking Choices and Test Audience Reactions
The choice to trim Del’s monologue stemmed from test screenings, as documented by Paul Myers. The weight of the scene’s intensity was deemed too much during early viewings, inadvertently leading to laughter rather than empathy. As James Hughes, John Hughes’ son, described, the seriousness of the original Steve Martin deleted scene was almost overwhelming for a comedy film’s pace.
and slowed down the pace of the movie. (Editor) Paul Hirsch said the film came screeching to a halt in order for everybody to hear his story. John showed some real range in those moments, and in his delivery of those lines and the telling of this story.
– James Hughes, as noted by Paul Myers
Despite this pivotal scene being reduced to preserve the film’s comedic rhythm, Steve Martin’s emotional reaction underscores how some of the most meaningful cinematic moments are sometimes left on the cutting room floor. For fans of the film, learning about the Steve Martin deleted scene offers new depth to Neal and Del’s journey, and a greater appreciation for the complexity behind John Hughes’ filmmaking decisions.
The story behind the missing scene continues to inspire discussion among audiences and serves as a testament to the performances of both Steve Martin and John Candy, whose emotional resonance endures even in the parts viewers never saw.
