Uncle Buck

The eighties spawned some wonderful movies, especially comedies. Giving way to stars like Molly Ringwald, John Cusack, and Emilio Esteves you can probably think of a lot of comedic films that ooze nostalgia. Today’s subject is another comedic film of the eighties and stars one of the most beloved comedians of all time and a movie that would spawn an iconic film franchise just one year later.

So if you’re like me and you enjoy film and the impact and emotions they convey then grab a glass of your preferred liquid and join me for the next little while. For me that’s a glass of chocolate milk. So sit back, relax, and let’s talk about the love of film. Welcome to Glazed Cinema.

When you think about the great John Candy...what movie do you think of? For most they gravitate toward the Thanksgiving classic Planes, Trains, and Automobiles and rightfully so, its reputation is unquestionable. Plus, how many other films can you name in which their plot revolves around Thanksgiving? It's one of the all time classic comedies and Candy was amazing as the annoying, yet well meaning and warm hearted Del Griffith. However for me, I always think of today’s subject simply because I love the main character, played by Candy. It’s a film that was written and directed by the same person featuring an alienated family member…Uncle Buck. I always think of it when Candy’s name is brought up simply because it is my personal favorite of all of his performances.

Uncle Buck is a film about the Russell family who lives in Chicago, having recently moved from Indianapolis. Within the Russel home are mother Cindy, father Bob, teenage daughter Tia, and young children Miles and Maizy. After receiving a call regarding the health of Cindy's father, Bob and Cindy must travel back to Indianapolis. Without someone to watch their children they reach out to Bob's estranged brother Buck for help. What follows is a hilarious and heart warming tale of an Uncle becoming closer to the family he hasn't known.

We can tell just by Bob and Cindy’s home and lifestyle that they have their lives together. They live in a very nice home in a well to do neighborhood and have a nice family unit. Buck on the other hand lives in a small apartment and doesn’t have a steady job. He does however have a very nice girlfriend Chanice, played by Amy Madigan. Chanice is in midst of getting Buck to come work for her at the auto repair shop she owns. Buck who is hesitant tried dodging this assignment, but does give in and agrees to come to work…that is until his brother calls. He also has his vices as he regularly bets on horses to try for a big payday.

The relationship between Tia and her uncle however really drive the plot for most of the film as she rebels and sneaks out to be with her boyfriend Bug. The two butt heads regularly as he wants to protect her from being hurt. A great example is when he finds her at a party at a park pavilion at night. He and bug exchange words as he tells Tia she’s coming home. Seeing through him and knowing his true intentions Buck scares him off and takes Tia home.

In the movie Buck explains that he used to be like Bug, so he knows exactly where his head is. Not wanting his niece to fall into the trap he continually protects her even though she doesn’t recognize his meaning. She instead feels that he is just being difficult and trying to impress her parents. UB as Miles, played by McCauley Caulkin calls him is such a fantastic and well rounded character and Candy is phenomenal in the role. He’s got a heart of gold and cares a lot about those close to him while also having a serious and no nonsense side to him. We see these sides of him make themselves known throughout the film.

I love his interactions with his young niece and nephew the most, however small and innocent the conversation is. For instance there’s a scene when Buck asks if they have brushed their teeth before going to bed, to which they both nod. Sensing mischief he tells them that he has a friend down at the police lab, who can test their toothbrush to see if they actually brushed their teeth or just rinsed it under the water. Their mouths drop, looking at each other as he walks away. His niece Maizy, played by Gaby Hoffmann says ”if that’s true, we’re gonna really have to start brushing our teeth”. There are a few moments like that which are so cute because of their innocence and playfulness.

Another one of my favorite bits in this film is actually a gif I use all the time when a friend or family member has a birthday. We see Buck in the kitchen with a massive round beige disc in front of him on a metal sheet. Verbally preparing himself for something he lifts up a wide metal shovel. He begins to try to lift the disc as he verbally coaxes it and soon we se him flip it and celebrate his achievement. Miles and Maizy race down the steps in their pajamas and enter the kitchen. There in front of them surrounded by colorful hanging ribbons is Buck and next to him on the island is literally the largest pancakes you've ever seen. Covered in maple syrup with a huge stick of butter on top he yells. “Happy Birthday”! He then exclaims, “You should see the toast I couldn’t even get it through the door”. The camera pans back to see McCauley Culkin’s eyebrows raise with excitement. I’ll send the gif of him next to the pancakes all the time. As a man who loves breakfast that would be amazing to wake up to. Talk about yummy leftovers!

Other than small scenes there are others I love, but I mean I could talk about Uncle Buck non stop. One that I adore is the first time he drops Tia, played by Jean Louisa Kelly off at high school. Out in front are the cool kids sitting on the steps talking before class. A lot of them wearing trench coats and hats that were in fashion in the eighties. We see Buck’s car pass by, white smoke pluming from the exhaust. He turns into the drive and parks in front of the group of students. We hear a whistle build up slowly in volume with Bucks hand raising , predicting it’s peak. Miles and Maisy in the backseat have their hands over their ears as his hand swings downward as a large backfire is heard, making everyone duck. Tia, in the front seat is bent down, hiding from view as Buck asks, “Tying your shoe?”. Slowly raising up the crowd disperses as she hurried to get her things together and leave. Asking when to pick her up she says she’ll get a ride to which Buck says ”No, I have my orders, what time?”. Tia in disbelief retorts, “Are you deaf? I said I’ll get a ride”. Annoyed Buck states, “Stand me up today and I’ll drop you off tomorrow in my robe and pajamas and walk you to your first class. 3 o’clock okay?” Tia asks, “Has anyone ever embarrassed you like this?” Buck thinks, his eyes moving side to side searching the recesses of his mind for an answer and then brilliantly answers, “No.” Then he smiles this ultra grin. A smile the stretches ear to ear. Paired with his fur hat it’s hilarious.

I love that scene so much. Tia plays the rebellious and prickly teenager with endless attitude while Buck lays down the law in the only way he can. I love so much in that scene, but the smile is something I do in daily life. Whenever I do something goofy, sarcastic, or mischievous I‘ll flash the Buck smile as if to say, “You’re welcome.”

Another scene that is quite legendary is when Buck goes in for a talk with Maisy’s principal. Waiting in the lobby he sits in a chair with a small boy next to him. The boy has thick rimmed glasses and is clearly nervous and afraid. Buck, being the caring and warm hearted man he is starts speaking to him. He says. “Why don’t you let me go in there first. That way you can have some more time to relax before you go in.” The boy shyly agrees as Buck gets up and enters the principal’s office. Sitting down the principal introduces herself as Anita Horgarth. She is an older woman and she has a mole on the left side of her chin. She does not look to be in the mood for the smiling man sitting across from him. Introducing himself he shakes her hand proclaiming “Buck melanoma. Moley Russell’s wart”. Taken a back and confused she stares at him as he tries digging himself out of the hole he’s found himself in. Now I won’t quote the whole thing, but it is the same kind of cringe humor you’ll find in the American Office and it leaves me in tears laughing oftentimes. It’s also something that is in the rolodex of quotes that my dad and I exchange regularly. Writing this I can hear him saying “Buck Melanoma” or “Not her wart, bot her wart.” and it makes me smile.

At one point she states that her niece Maisy is a dreamer, a silly heart, and a jabber box and that she doesn’t take her school career seriously. To which Buck states she’s only six. This make her erupt stating it’s not a valid excuse. Buck, upset and defending his niece begins a retort stating:

“I don’t think I wanna know a six year old that isn’t a dreamer or a silly heart. I sure don’t wanna know one that takes their student career seriously. I don’t have a college degree. I don’t even have a job, but I know a good kid when I see one…because they’re all good kids. Until dried out brain dead scags like you drag them down and convince them their no good. You so much as scowl at my niece or any other kid in this school and I hear about it, I’ll come looking for you. Take this quarter. Go downtown and have a rat gnaw that thing off your face.”

It’s such a great take that sort of scene. I love when he tells her in more words that kids should be kids at six. The best part is when the camera cuts to the kid in the lobby as he slowly smiles bearing what’s going on.

It’s a story that’s well written and well executed. I can’t speak highly enough about this film. It’s one of my favorite movies of the eighties and one I come back to regularly and quote often.

Uncle Buck was written and directed by John Hughes and released in 1989. John Hughes was arguably the most prolific American director of the eighties. Whether you recognize his name or not, you're guaranteed to recognize his films. He wrote and directed several classics that embody the eighties of America including Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and The Breakfast Club. He also wrote several other classics of the eighties including The Great Outdoors, Pretty in Pink, as well as writing credits for the National Lampoon Vacation Trilogy.

Interestingly enough John Candy appears in more films either written or directed by John Hughes than any other actor or actress. The first time Candy appeared in the credits of a Hughes film was when he played the Wally World security guard in National Lampoon’s Vacation in 1983. By the end of their collaboration Candy either appeared or starred in seven films directed or written by Hughes.

Candy fit in the role of Uncle Buck like a glove. His demeanor, acting style, and humor were perfect to the point where it feels impossible to think of someone else in that role. In my research however I found that a variety of actors were approached to play the role including Danny DeVito. I can’t imagine anyone else starring in this film, it’s just too perfect

Uncle Buck was filmed and released in one calendar year. A lot of this was due to how scenes were shot. Even though the film takes place in and around the Russel home all of the interiors were filmed in one location…an empty high school. Interiors like the home were all shot in a gymnasium. Recreating interiors like the Russel home in one spot proved to speed up production with the only location filming being exterior and outdoor shots. The film did tremendously well upon release grossing $277 million dollars. Much of that die to its cast and director.

The last scene I'll talk about is a very small one, but one with tremendous influence. It happens when Buck's girlfriend Charice comes to watch Miles and Maizy while Buck looks for Tia. We see Miles sitting across from the front door, sitting on a chair. When the door bell rings he raises the mail slot in the door to see who is there, but when the metal slot is raised up we see an empty street at night. When the bell rings again he raises the slot again to see three men with furrowed brows staring back at him. Surprised and scared he drops the metal piece to a clank sound. Thinking it was just his imagination Miles hesitating but, raises the slot again to see the smiling face of Charice. The first time I saw this I thought it was a vey clever and funny sequence. During my research of Uncle Buck however, I learned that this scene inspired an entire franchise.

After filming this scene Hughes began writing another film. One that deals with a family travelling to France over Christmas break, but leaves their youngest back home in Chicago. Not even a year removed from filming Uncle Buck John Candy, McCauley Caulkin, and John Hughes would reunite once again with Home Alone. It's amazing to look at that scene and think that it inspired one of the most iconic franchises in film history.

Sadly we lost John Candy at the early age of 43, however his films remind us of his character, heart, and humor. From all the interviews I've seen and read during my research a few things are clear. Those who knew him loved him. The man you saw on film was the man he was off film. A loveable, caring, fun loving, thoughtful, and funny man he’s missed by those who knew him and those like me, who only know him for his roles.

I found one bit of information that speaks volumes for how beloved he was. When he passed the city of Los Angeles His friend Eugene Levy asked a police officer nearby about why the highway was empty, to which he explained that the city shut down a portion of the 405, a major highway running through LA for the motorcade. He then told him that the only other times that’s happened before were for a pope and president.

John Candy radiates warmth in his roles that you can feel is genuine. I think that along with his humor are big reasons why he is still so revered and loved to this day. If you've never seen a film with him in it give Uncle Buck a try, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

If you'd like to watch Uncle Buck for yourself you can find it on a variety of streaming services. At the time of this recording you can find Uncle Buck on services like YouTube, GooglePlay, Apple TV and Vudu for $3.99 to rent. You can also find it on Hulu and Prime Video, but they both require separate subscriptions within the app, at least at this time.

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