It’s hard to believe that 25 years have eclipsed since John Candy passed away at the age of 43. The world of cinematic comedy certainly took a hit with his premature passing in 1994, as very few comedic actors had his talent and unique qualities.
Not only was he genuinely funnier than most of his contemporaries, but he also imbued a jolly and jovial warmth devoid of the kind of snark and cynicism most comedians rely on. Simply put, Candy was sweet as can be! To honor the legendary comedic actor, here are his best movies, according to Rotten Tomatoes!
Home Alone (1990) 65%
While Candy has what could be considered an extended cameo in Home Alone, his ties to the picture run much deeper. First off, the film was written by Candy’s longtime friend and frequent collaborator, John Hughes, and co-starred his longtime SCTV partner, Catherine O’Hara!
In fact, the trivia goes even further. Remember that in Home Alone, Candy played a polka-playing fellow who was kind enough to give Mrs. McAllister a ride home from the airport. Well, this is a direct reference to the 1985 film The Last Polka, which starred both Candy and O’Hara.
The Silent Partner (1978) 67%
Although Candy didn’t become a household name until the mid-80s or so, it’s worth noting he’d been kicking around Hollywood well over a decade until he hit the big time. One early title in his film canon includes a solid heist picture called The Silent Partner.
The plot concerns a nervous bank teller who, in anticipation of a robbery, steals the money himself to avoid harm. When the thief realizes he’s been duped, he sets out to obtain the cash from the teller any way he can.
The Rescuers Down Under (1990) 69%
In one of the rare times lending his voice to an animated feature, Candy added a little comic relief as Wilbur in the Disney family film, The Rescuers Down Under.
The plot of the film revolves around Bernard (Bob Newhart) and Miss Bianca (Eva Gabor), two R.A.S. Agents tasked with traveling to Australia to rescue an endangered golden eagle from a greedy poacher. Candy plays Wilbur, a droll albatross named after aviation pioneer Wilbur Wright. While failing at the box-office, this is the first 100 percent digital feature film ever constructed.
Cool Runnings (1993) 76%
While Disney’s The Rescuers Down Under failed to strike gold at the box-office, Candy more than atoned for such with the mouse house’s global smash-hit, Cool Runnings, just three years later.
Candy is perfectly cast in this warmhearted and uplifting tale of unlikely athletic success. As the disgraced coach of a Jamaican bobsled team vying for Olympic glory, Irv (Candy) motivates his ragtag crew of novice sledders to become a competitive force. The hilarious fish-out-of-water story is a light, breezy, feelgood, and best of all, true story!
JFK (1991) 84%
In just a brief bit of screen-time, Candy shows a different side of his acting aplomb in Oliver Stone’s JFK. Rather than his typical jolly and avuncular attitude, Candy plays mirthless sweaty southerner Dean Andrews Jr., a New Orleans attorney brought in for questioning during the trial of Clay Shaw (Tommy Lee Jones).
Of course, the entire film plays as one large conspiracy theory positing that multiple shooters were responsible for John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Despite a mega-ensemble, Candy finds a way to stand out more than most.
Stripes (1981) 86%
Who can forget Candy’s turn as Ox, the dimwitted, hot-tempered, poker-hustling, mud-wrestling G.I. in the classic war-comedy, Stripes? Yeah, nobody!
Ivan Reitman’s hilarious film about John Winger (Bill Murray) and Russell Ziskey (Harold Ramis), two wayward slackers who enlist in the army after reaching a dead-end in life, directly led to Ghostbusters, three years later. As Ox, Candy shows both a soft side and a hardened demeanor. As such, Candy was originally slated to play Louis Tully in Ghostbusters, but was too busy filming Splash to do so.
Splash (1984) 90%
Speaking of Splash, Candy gives one of his most well-rounded performances as Freddie Bauer, the hysterical womanizing brother of Allen (Tom Hanks), a lovelorn bachelor who falls for a mystical mermaid!
The Ron Howard film proved so successful, both critically and commercially, that the careers of all involved shot up like a rocket immediately afterward. Unfortunately, Hanks and Candy failed to recreate the success one year later with the oft-forgotten Volunteers.
Little Shop Of Horrors (1986) 90%
As per usual when he isn’t the lead star (see Vacation), Candy absolutely hijacks his single scene as Weird Wink Wilkinson in Little Shop of Horrors. Even weirder, Candy shares the scene with Rick Moranis, who replaced him as Louis Tully in Ghostbusters, two years prior!
When Seymour Krelborn (Moranis) obtains a singing, dancing, foul-mouthed Venus flytrap that grows at a rapid rate upon feeding on human blood, he becomes the talk of the town. When he is interviewed about the plant, he meets Wink Wilkinson, a hammy radio personality who can’t contain himself.
Planes, Trains And Automobiles (1987) 91%
Candy has never given a more bittersweet, emotionally moving performance in his entire career than as Del Griffith in Planes, Trains and Automobiles. The final shot of the film alone is enough to give you genuine chills!
John Hughes’ uproarious road-comedy is about the least likely of odd couples, Del and Neal Page (Steve Martin), on a cross-country mission to attend Thanksgiving dinner at the latter’s home. The two men can’t stand each other at first, with Del receiving the brunt of Neal’s ire. Yet, through a harrowing journey, the two men grow closer and forge an honest friendship.
National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) 93%
Candy doesn’t even appear until the final 10 minutes of National Lampoon’s Vacation, and yet no one can forget his indelible turn as the whiny security guard taken hostage by a postal Clark Griswold. No one!
When the Griwold’s disastrous cross-country road trip to Wally World ends with a park closure for maintenance, the head of the family goes absolutely berserk. Clark (Chevy Chase) buys a pellet-gun, holds the terrified Lasky (Candy) hostage, and demands he take his family on all the closed theme park rides. Fun fact: the film was directed by Harold Ramis, Candy’s co-star in Stripes!
