Sun Nov 24 22:00:00 UTC 2024: **Lost Footage of Classic Comedy “Planes, Trains, Automobiles” Revealed**
**Chicago, IL –** A newly unearthed piece of Hollywood history reveals that John Hughes’ beloved 1987 comedy, *Planes, Trains and Automobiles*, originally clocked in at a whopping three hours and 45 minutes—more than double its theatrical runtime. Editor Paul Hirsch recently revealed that he and Hughes cut a third of the film during post-production, removing approximately 28 days’ worth of footage.
While a complete three-hour version remains elusive, details about the extensive deleted scenes are emerging. The original cut featured a significantly expanded role for the motel thief, who was originally the pizza delivery boy. A subplot concerning Neal’s wife’s suspicion of his infidelity was also cut, adding previously unknown depth to the final reunion scene. A lengthy Thanksgiving dinner scene, originally intended as the film’s climax, was excised, leaving only brief traces in Neal’s daydream. Most notably, a poignant train station conversation where Del reveals the tragic backstory behind his wandering lifestyle and explains his bond with Neal was completely removed, leaving only a heavily edited version in the final cut.
Although some deleted scenes, including a humorous segment on airplane food, have circulated online, the Hughes estate has been unable to locate a complete, high-quality version of the original film. According to Bob Buchi of Paramount Pictures, the practice of discarding outtakes was common in that era, making a full restoration unlikely.
Despite the loss of this extensive footage, fans can still appreciate the carefully crafted narrative of the final cut, recognizing the subtle hints and traces of the deleted material woven into the film’s fabric. *Planes, Trains and Automobiles* is currently streaming on Paramount+.
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