Tryon Fine Arts Center’s “Destinations” film series continues with “Trains, Planes and Automobiles” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. 

This 1987 comedy, directed by John Hughes, seems to have become ever more prophetic over the years as holiday travel has become more and more of an endurance test for the traveler, event organizers said.

Film Critic Roger Ebert, who soundly praised the film in his original review, returned to it in 2000 saying:  “It is perfectly cast and soundly constructed, and all else flows naturally.  Steve Martin and John Candy don’t play characters, they embody themselves.  That’s why the comedy, which begins securely planted in the twin genres of road movie and buddy picture, is able to reveal so much heart and truth. . . .

“When ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’ was released in 1987, I enjoyed it immensely, gave it a favorable review and moved on. But the movie continued to live in my memory. Like certain other popular entertainments (‘It’s A Wonderful Life,’ ‘ET The Extra-Terrestrial,’ ‘Casablanca’) it not only contained a universal theme, but also matched it with the right actors and story, so that it shrugged off the other movies of its kind and stood above them in a kind of perfection. “

The film was originally scheduled to be shot in Chicago but a lack of snow prompted  Hughes to move to a location to Buffalo, New York, which lived up to its reputation and delivered the appropriate weather conditions.   

Like so many comedies, the film did not win any awards, but John Candy was nominated for the Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture spot by the American Comedy Awards, USA.

Viewers can watch for a continuity blooper in the motel scene where Candy and Martin go to sleep in a queen sized bed and, when they wake up in the morning, the bed has shrunk.

The box office at TFAC will open 45 minutes before the movie begins to allow time to visit the bar and chat with friends. Those interested in learning more about the monthly film series or any other activities at TFAC may visit tryonarts.org or call 828-859-8322.

– Submitted by Michelle Fleming