An emotional reaction in Planes, Trains and Automobiles was tied to a subplot that director, John Hughes, chose to remove.
At the end of Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987), why does Susan Page (Laila Robins) appear so emotional when her husband, Neal (Steve Martin), returns home to Chicago?
One word: EDITING.
In an earlier subplot, later cut, Susan believed Neal was having an affair. She was convinced her husband was making up John Candy's Del Griffith and their journey home.
So when Neal walks in the door with Del in tow, she is overcome with emotion—relieved Del exists and her husband is faithful. Fortunately, audiences can also read Susan's teary reaction as "I'm happy you're finally home."
During post-production, director John Hughes instructed his editor, Paul Hirsch, to remove major chunks of the movie. “Take that out, just take it out. Lose that,” Hughes would say from a sofa in the editing room, cigarette and a coffee in hand.
Among the subplots edited out of Planes, Trains and Automobiles was the one about Neal's alleged marital affair. A sound decision, I'd argue, since the road comedy doesn't need to be weightier than it already is.
Enjoy more behind-the-scenes stories in our virtual tour Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and the Trappings of Home. Join us, just in time for Thanksgiving!
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