Believe in yourself...

It's hard being a sensitive person, you worry about what others think of you, your confidence can hold you back and the knocks really hurt, you can carry them around like a life sentence.

I have been having a moment of doubt recently, wondering what I am doing in life? worrying that I am not writing this book fast enough or that I am going to let Mr Candy down.

John struggled with these issues too, he would take rejection to heart and wear it like a covered up tattoo he never wanted to show.

Lorne Michaels (Creator and Producer of Saturday Night Live) went down to The Old Firehall in Toronto to watch John, Dave Thomas and Joe Flaherty perform as part of the legendary improv group, Second City. Lorne had gone to scout for new talent after Chevy Chase had left SNL and John was desperate to impress. As it was, nerves got the better of them and they performed a terrible show. Joe and Dave brushed it off but John hung around to see what Lorne thought. Lorne told him " don't give up the day job", that cut him like a knife, he was crushed. Dave Thomas told me that John was so giving, that he would also get hurt more than most as he would put himself out there. Luckily the faith others had in him and his talent kept him going. Of course Lorne couldn't have been more wrong and John later starred in Saturday Night Live on a couple of occasions as a guest host.

From talking to Tommy Swerdlow (Writer on Cool Runnings) I know that even when John's career was going well he still struggled with insecurity. This is probably one of the reasons that he came across as so human and was so widely loved. In his personal life he never wanted anyone to feel the same hurt he had experienced, if you were his friend he would go to the end of the earth to protect you.

This week I have seen people around me take some knocks, sometimes I think life sends us these trials to make us more determined and give us focus on what we really want.

Never give up if you really want something, there is nothing to fear except fear itself.

I wonder how many people give up on their dreams? I am so glad John never did.

Have yourselves a very Schemenge Christmas!

I would love to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me with this project this year; Rhys, friends and family that have listened to me whittle on, those who have read my blog, liked my Facebook page, spread the word or given me their time to talk to me about their experience of being friends or working with John. Thank you!

This year I have had the huge honour of interviewing many people including leg-ends Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner. Some of my favourite stories however have come from crew members - those who worked with John closely behind the scenes and had so much respect for the friendship and warmth they were shown by him.

Of course I can't mention John Candy and Christmas without mentioning Home Alone "Polka, polka, polka" (and I do have stories about that shoot) but I was wanting to give you another Christmas story...

Rick Lazzarini who built and controlled John's ears when he was playing Barf in Spaceballs gave me a lovely festive memory of John.

John and Rick. Copyright Rick Lazzarini 1986

"John called me;

'So, Rick, you're good with mechanical stuff, right?'

'Yeah, I think so!'

'Well, can you come on over to my office? I need you to build something for me…'

With everything he had done for me, the answer was: 'Of course!. No question.'

So I made my way to his Santa Monica office, where he greeted me warmly. 

'I got this thing for my son Christopher. I dunno how to put it together!'

It was a metal tractor, the pedal kind, nicely crafted, solid, but it needed assembly.  

'You got it!' I said, and immediately started in on putting it together. It was for a Christmas present, and right around the holidays, and so John put on some Christmas music. He asked: 

'Do you want some wine?'

'Sure!'

So we chatted, drinking wine, he behind his desk with his feet up on it, me sitting cross-legged on the floor, putting Tab A into Slot B and aligning holes so screw C could thread in.

And so…we talked, joked, laughed, sipped, dished, cozy, the red tractor coming into shape as we shared and joshed and enjoyed each other's company. 

I haven't yet met another actor, much less a human being, with John's capacity to fill the people around him with such joy. God bless him. He was wonderful. I miss him so."

It's only the last few years I have been introduced to the many wonderful characters John played as part of SCTV. The Schemege Brothers are two characters created by John and Eugene Levy, they have a polka band and come from Leutonia. Christmas in Leutonia includes eggs, hats on trees, sock swapping and cabbage rolls and coffee (Mmm mmm good!). Please watch this clip to get you in the spirit and have yourselves a very Schemenge Christmas! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydxtdLgwxbM


So eat, drink, be merry, love those around you and spare a thought for those not as fortunate. Next year I will aim to be a better person, I will aim to love people and life as much as John did.

Lots of love
Tracey x

Value the people around you.

John loved people, he loved his friends, his family and would have done anything for them. I have heard numerous stories from his friends and colleagues about times when he supported them, looked out for them. From diving in when he saw an injustice to loaning money and a kind ear.

Last week I interviewed Tony Rosato who was originally directed by John when he was part of the Second City Touring Troupe. He was also given one of his first breaks by John and Joe Flaherty to become part of the SCTV cast which then lead him to Saturday Night Live and beyond. Tony told me stories of living next door to the Aykroyd's, becoming life long friends with John and the time John bailed him out big time. His generosity knew no bounds and yet he was a everyday kind of guy. A sweet story featuring the Aykroyd's love of fish which led to Tony and John setting up a huge tank with African Cychilds will be in the book, it stirred up images of young boys working together and being chuffed to bits with what they achieved. When I say boys - they weren't at the time - but I love their child-like hearts.

I asked Tony a stupid question, does he still miss John? Of course the answer was, without hesitation, "everyday".

John was also very considerate to those he did not know so well, showing simple acts of kindness. A couple of weeks ago Donna Meyer told me a story when John was filming Wagons East, a spoof western which was actually his last film (he passed away in Mexico whilst on location). "On Ash Wednesday, we were going to be shooting an hour or so out of town. He knew that most of the Mexican crew were Catholic and that with our very early morning calls and long days, most of them would not be able to get to church. So he made arrangements with the priest of the church he had been attending to travel out to where we were shooting to bless and give ashes to any of the crew members who wanted it. It was the most thoughtful thing I'd ever seen."

There are countless stories of John helping others - one in particular about an old neighbour of his who lost her husband, every year he would send her flowers and make sure that when the snow came her drive was cleared. He would eat out in restaurants - then help the kitchen staff in the back and help serve customers.
 
You never forget those that have been kind to you, that haven't judged you. Not everyone around John was like this, he got hurt by many, but it never stopped him from being true to himself and giving so freely.

He was the "real article". 

Researching and writing about John always inspires me to be a better person.

This week I have been shown kindness that I will never forget, thank you to those who gave it to me, I am truly blessed. x

Happy Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving is here for our American friends, I wonder how many people have watched Planes, Trains and Automobiles with their families in preparation? Written, directed and produced by John Hughes this was certainly John Candy at his best, he will make you laugh and cry as well as quote lines for the rest of your life.

I am ashamed to say I didn't know Canada's Thanksgiving (Jour de l'Action de grâce in Canadian French) was on the second Monday in October - something I believe Canuks also call John Candy day!

Although I am in the UK and we don't celebrate Thanksgiving over here, I am aware that I have a lot to be thankful for. In two days my boyfriend comes home from India and I just can't wait! I am just hoping he doesn't have a Planes, Trains and Automobiles experience getting home - however if he was to meet a Del Griffith that would be no bad thing.

I presume John would celebrate both Canadian and American Thanksgiving (any excuse for a party) and I found a lovely quote from his wife, Rose Candy, taken from The Second City Unscripted by Mike Thomas;

"John loved to gather friends and family. When we had people over, is was 'Enjoy, relax' as we cooked in our kitchen. One Thanksgiving, we invited the cast over from Second City Toronto. A small detail had been over looked - the turkey was still frozen. Thinking quickly, we put the bird under the shower to thaw, and at around two in the morning we celebrated Thanksgiving."

I believe this instance wasn't just isolated to Thanksgiving, it was quite common for people to be invited over for dinner and finally eat during the early hours in the morning.

As a small gift here is a deleted scene from Planes, Trains - I truly believe it should have been left in and god knows how many more of these gems didn't make it to the screen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgg_vWq7KNk

So Happy Thanksgiving to you all! I would love to know what you are thankful for...

PS If you haven't already, please join my Facebook group www.facebook.com/searchingforcandy x

How to make an Orange Whip...

Ever wondered how to make the Orange Whip a la Blues Brothers? Just add vodka, rum and cream to orange juice, pour over ice and stir.

Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips. 

Longer post coming soon... thanks for following.

Please join my FB group www.facebook.com/searchingforcandy

Dear John...

Dear John

Today is your birthday, you would have been 63.

As I sit at my computer and look around the social media sites I wonder if you ever imagined that so many people would be missing you and remembering you today?

Tonight I am unsure which of your movies to watch. Planes, Trains is some of your finest work, Cool Runnings never fails to cheer me and make me more determined and Uncle Buck is just a classic. But I might have to go with Only The Lonely as your old friends Jonathan O'Mara and Charlie Northcote tell me this was the truest to life character you played. Whatever film I watch I know that you will make me laugh and cry and reaffirm exactly why I am writing this book about you.

Thank you for making me laugh, for giving me hope and for being everything I wanted you to be and more. Unknowingly you have helped me cope with a terrible bout of depression and have given me focus in my life.  I have been blessed to speak to so many of your friends, co-stars and crew, they have been so generous with their time and memories, they have bent over backwards to help me and it's down to their love for you.

I wonder how you would have spent your birthday today? whether you would be working? Mariel Hemingway was only telling me last week that you were always the first on set and the last to leave, you were like a big kid that couldn't miss a thing. Or whether you would be with your family that you loved so dearly, I know you doted on them and worked so hard to make sure you could look after them when you were no longer around. Either way I know you would be celebrating in style, from what I have been told you were the perfect host and so much fun, everyone just wanted to be with you.

So Happy Birthday dear John, you will be 43 forever - living in the hearts of so many as well as the legacy you left. Celebrate wherever you are and have an orange whip on me.

Much love to you and all that miss you,

(A very grateful)
Tracey x

The mess around...

Music has always been an inspiration to me, my taste is diverse, I just like good songs. In fact there have been nights when I am pretty sure music has saved my life. 

John also loved music, it was a big part of his life.

When John was growing up he booked the bands at Neil McNeil high school, he also played the clarinet (which was very useful later on in his sketches with Eugene Levy playing the Schmenge Brothers and for his role as Gus Polinski in Home Alone). 

Through booking the bands he met one of his best friend's Jonathan O'Mara (who is also a very talented musician). They were both big fans of Simon and Garfunkel and used to drive round late at night listening to them - I wonder if John ever imagined he would be introducing them on stage later on in life? Not only that but having Paul Simon co-star on sketches? In fact Paul featured in one of my favourite early Candy sketches, Roy's food repair http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCxscU0hWok (look out for who else you can spot!).

John had a great sense of rhythm, he was light on his feet and a great dancer. His agent, Catherine McCartney, told me if you didn't leave the night before the band started, you knew as soon as they took to the stage you were staying until the end.  

During SCTV they championed musicians who would come on and play as part of a sketch in the show - many times these suggestions would come from John who was always keen to give someone a break. 

Playing Gus Polanski in Home Alone John was only there for 24 hours and managed to upset Chris Columbus as he kept encouraging the polka musicians (used for his scenes) play songs and nobody could concentrate, of course John Hughes saw the funny side and told them to play one more. 

He was even the music video for super-group The Travelling Wilbury's, The Wilbury Twist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrVvd6aPI4c

His love for music is evident in doing the classic 'mess around' scene in Planes, Trains and Automobiles' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQjKFXA4QPA -  you should always bookmark this scene and when you are feeling low, watch it, it's like a tonic. 

I was curious as to what music John would listen to knowing that his tastes were probably as diverse as my own. I interviewed Dave Thomas (one of the first big interviews I did), Dave was so generous he gave me an hour and a half of his time. When asking Dave about the music John loved one track really stood out in his memory. John would play Eddie Money - Baby Hold On To Me very loudly in his car. When I am struggling to write I now listen to this song and somehow I always find inspiration. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTE12zOHuFI

There are many other stories I could tell you now but I am trying to hold some stuff back for the book. 

I am also highly curious as John's fans as to what you would like to see included? I have quite a few interviews coming up, if there is anything you would like to know please suggest it below.

Please also join my Facebook group for regular updates and snippets of John's work www.facebook.com/searchingforcandy. 

I'm off to do The Mess Around...