Planes, Trains and Automobiles: A Journey Through St. Louis

Exploring the Key St. Louis Scenes in the Classic Thanksgiving Film

As Thanksgiving approaches, millions of people across the country are preparing to embark on their annual pilgrimage back home to celebrate with loved ones. This time-honored tradition is not always smooth sailing, as depicted in the beloved 1987 comedy film, Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Directed by John Hughes and starring Steve Martin and John Candy, the movie follows the misadventures of two strangers, Neal Page and Del Griffith, as they desperately try to make it from New York to Chicago in time for Thanksgiving. Along the way, their journey takes them through St. Louis, where several memorable scenes unfold.

Selling shower curtains:

After a series of setbacks, Neal and Del find themselves short on cash upon their arrival in St. Louis. In a desperate attempt to recoup their losses, Del, a salesman, tries to sell shower curtain rings to fellow travelers, even promoting them as earrings. While this scene is set in St. Louis, it was actually filmed elsewhere in Illinois.

Grabbing a meal:

In a poignant moment, Neal and Del share a meal and open up about their family lives. Neal confesses that he is missing his daughter’s recital, while Del reveals that he hasn’t been home in years and misses the precious moments with his wife, Marie. After their heartfelt conversation, Neal suggests they part ways to expedite their travels, leading to some contentious discussions about who should foot the bill.

Rental car search:

Desperate to continue their journey, Neal arranges for a rental car over the phone. However, upon reaching the rental car lot, he discovers that his reserved vehicle is nowhere to be found. Frustrated, Neal throws his paperwork in the air and trudges back to the airport terminal through the snow. The scene was filmed against the backdrop of the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel.

Memorable rant:

Back at the airport terminal, Neal’s frustration reaches its peak as he confronts a Marathon car rental clerk who seems more interested in personal phone calls than assisting customers. In a scene that likely contributed to the film’s R-rating, Neal unleashes a string of expletives, demanding answers about his missing rental car. The clerk’s lack of helpfulness only adds fuel to the fire, culminating in a heated exchange.

Scary encounter:

With limited options left, Neal leaves the airport terminal and approaches a cab dispatcher, requesting a ride to Chicago. The dispatcher, unaware of Neal’s predicament, responds with a snarky comment, escalating tensions between the two. The encounter ends with the dispatcher punching Neal, causing him to fall to the ground. Just as things seem dire, Del appears as the unexpected hero, narrowly saving Neal from being run over by a passing car.

Conclusion:

In Planes, Trains and Automobiles, St. Louis serves as a backdrop for some of the film’s most memorable and comedic moments. From the hilarious shower curtain ring sales pitch to the heated confrontation at the rental car counter, these scenes add depth and humor to the story. While the characters face numerous obstacles and frustrations along the way, their journey ultimately leads to a heartwarming ending. As Thanksgiving approaches, this classic film reminds us of the importance of perseverance, friendship, and finding joy in unexpected places.

Where to Stream:

For those looking to enjoy Planes, Trains and Automobiles during their Thanksgiving festivities, the film can be streamed on platforms such as Paramount+, HBO Max, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Philo, fuboTV, and Amazon Prime Video with a subscription. It is also available for purchase on YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, and AppleTV. Additionally, viewers may have the opportunity to catch the film for free on Pluto TV at certain times.


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