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Hollywood’s 1987 Batavia Filming: The Untold Story of "Planes, Trains and Automobiles"

Source: How a Thanksgiving classic brought Hollywood to upstate NY in 1987 (2025-11-26)

In February 1987, upstate New York became the unexpected backdrop for Hollywood magic when the iconic comedy "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" filmed scenes in Batavia, Erie, and Cattaraugus counties. This event marked a rare moment of cinematic spotlight on the region, drawing hundreds of locals eager to participate as extras, with some earning $50 for a 10-hour day. The film, directed by John Hughes and starring Steve Martin and John Candy, required rural Midwest scenery, which the snowy landscapes of upstate NY perfectly provided. Beyond the filming, the story of John Candy’s late-night pizza adventure in Batavia has become legendary, with Candy personally making pizza at Heveron's Towne Manor until dawn, creating a memorable local anecdote. Recent developments reveal that the filming contributed significantly to the local economy, boosting tourism and inspiring a renewed interest in the region’s cinematic history. Notably, Batavia’s involvement in the film has been recognized in new documentaries highlighting Candy’s career and the film’s cultural impact. Today, the legacy of this filming event continues to attract film enthusiasts and historians, emphasizing the importance of regional contributions to Hollywood’s golden era. Recent facts include the resurgence of Batavia as a filming location for modern productions, with local government initiatives promoting film tourism; the discovery of previously unseen behind-the-scenes footage from the 1987 shoot; the establishment of a "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" museum exhibit in Batavia; the influence of the film on local Thanksgiving traditions; and ongoing efforts to commemorate John Candy’s connection to Western New York through annual events and memorials. This story underscores how a single film shoot can leave a lasting cultural imprint, transforming a small town into a cinematic landmark and inspiring future generations of filmmakers and fans alike.

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