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

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

In February 1987, the small towns of Batavia, Erie, and Cattaraugus counties in upstate New York became the unexpected backdrop for Hollywood’s beloved holiday comedy, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." This iconic film, starring Steve Martin and John Candy, captured the hearts of audiences nationwide and showcased the charm of rural upstate New York. The production required locations that resembled the Midwest’s snowy landscape, leading to a massive local turnout for extras, with hundreds eager to participate in the filming process. Local residents were paid $50 for a 10-hour day, with overtime pay, highlighting the economic boost the filming brought to the region. John Candy’s late-night visit to Batavia’s Heveron’s Towne Manor remains a memorable anecdote, where the actor, hungry after filming, took over the kitchen to make pizza until dawn, creating a legendary local story. Beyond the film, recent developments include a new documentary exploring Candy’s life, revealing additional connections to Western New York, and highlighting the region’s role in Hollywood history. Today, Batavia’s brief stint as a Hollywood filming location is celebrated as a pivotal moment that put upstate New York on the cinematic map, inspiring local tourism and film history enthusiasts. Recent facts enhancing this story include the resurgence of interest in 1980s film locations, with Batavia now hosting annual film festivals celebrating its Hollywood connection; the discovery of previously unseen behind-the-scenes footage from the 1987 shoot; the establishment of a dedicated "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" museum exhibit in Batavia; the ongoing influence of John Candy’s legacy in Western New York, including scholarships and community events; and the region’s growing reputation as a filming destination for modern productions seeking authentic rural Midwest scenery. These developments underscore the enduring cultural and economic significance of this historic filming event, cementing Batavia’s place in cinematic history and inspiring future generations of filmmakers and fans alike.

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