Yes, Virginia, THE CANADIAN MOUNTED Was A Real Book

One of the most common questions I see asked, whenever someone notices/attends to the book Del Griffith (John Candy) is reading when he and Neal Page (Steve Martin) officially meet for the first time at LGA in Planes, Trains and Automobiles is whether it's a real book.

It is a real book.

It was originally published in the 80s by a publisher called BEELINE. They produced hundreds of pornographic novels over the years.

 The "final shooting script" from John Hughes called for Del to be reading a "pornographic novel." Also in the script is a bit of dialogue from Del that takes place when they are on the plane that didn't make its way into the final cut where Del explains why he was reading the book. 

“I’m just happy to have someone to talk to. I finished my book about an hour ago. Filthy goddarn thing. When you travel as much as I do, you run out of reading material. If it’s been published, I’ve read it. Fiction, non-fiction, the classics—Robbins, Krantz, Iacocca. You name it, I’ve read it. I got so hard-up last week on a layover in Atlanta, I read a biography of Prince. That’s not his real name, by the way, It’s Rogers Nelson.”

It's believed that either Candy, or the prop team, or maybe both, decided it would be funny to use that particular book as a cheeky nod to the actor's Canadian heritage.

Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds, who has shared he is a huge fan of John Candy, had a prop version of that book made for Deadpool. Wade Wilson is reading it or carrying it in some scenes, and it's his nod to an icon he adores.

Seeing the book appear as a prop in the Deadpool movies is what made me want to do more research into the book. Which eventually led to learning that it was a real book.

And so, in time for the 35th anniversary of the release of Planes, Trains and Automobiles, I released my own version of the book. My version, instead, was meant for fans, like me, who adore the film and would like to relish in further details about it.

I created the book to be the exact same page count as the original and subtly changed the text on the cover to be in line with what my book was, instead of what the original was.

The BEELINE logo was modified to a Stark Publishing logo modified into the same shape as the "bee."

I altered the text on the back of the book from:

                                                   NORTHERN NYMPH

Ann-Mare is sexually very free. Throughout the land of Canada, many men have had her—some are famous, some are shady, but they all admit, she’s one very horny lady!

to this:

                                                  NORTHERN TRIBUTE

In the movie, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, John Candy is seen holding a paperback that, in the original script written by John Hughes, reads that Del Griffith is reading a pornographic novel at the airport. That's what inspired this book

My book also has a bar code on it. The original book did not have one, as it was published in a time when that was not a book industry standard practice.

So, ultimately, the answer is: YES, the book was real. And also, it's "back" in a form meant for fans of the movie.

If you are a fan, and end up picking it up.....here's the link....

https://books2read.com/thecanadianmounted

....let me know what you think.

And, if you're tempted, perhaps you can bring it with you on your next flight, and take a fun selfie of yourself reading it while waiting to get on a plane. You might get some funny looks from fellow passengers. But you might also catch the eye of a fellow observant fan of the 1987 classic Thanksgiving film.

Five Fascinating F*ck-Related Facts from the Film Planes Trains, and Automobiles

One of most memorable and quoted moments in PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES is when Neal Page, played by Steve Martin, returns to the Marathon car rental counter at the St. Louis airport and has his fuck-filled tired that ends with "I want a f*cking car, right f*cking now!" and, of course, the classic come-back of the rental agent.

Here are five fascinating f*ck-related facts from the film:

1) The scene is exactly one minute long from the time Neal starts his tirade to the clerk’s final retort. In those sixty seconds, the "F" word is used nineteen times (eighteen by Page).

2) If it weren’t for this single scene, the film would've easily been rated PG or PG-13 by the MPAA.

3) Steve Martin was convinced to join the production after favoring two scenes he had read from the script: the seat adjustment-scene in the rental car, and the F-word tirade at the rental counter desk.

4) John Hughes regularly re-filmed scenes and got actors to ad lib in character differently for each take. Edie McClurg, who played the rental counter clerk, improvised the phone discussion with a family member about Thanksgiving plans.

 

5) McClurg claims that to this day random people who recognize her approach her and ask her to tell them they're fucked. 

 

 

 

These trivia bits and more are available in the 2022 book The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles. 

Lover's Moon: The Podcast

On May 24, 2022, the latest novel in my Canadian Werewolf series launches.

LOVER'S MOON was co-authored with my friend Julie Strauss and is the first full length romance novel I have written. (Well, to be honest, I could NOT have written it without Julie's help. I did try, for the longest time, to write it. But I wasn't able to get that done without Julie's help in both the conception of the story itself, as well as her handling of Gail's perspective)

This book, which can be read as a stand-alone, tells the back-story of how Michael and Gail first met and fell in love back in 2011.

Because we enjoyed the collaboration so much, Julie and I decided to create a podcast version of the novel, with us reading alternating perspectives. (Yes, there will be a professionally narrated audiobook produced - it's in the works right now. But we thought a serialized weekly version would be an interesting way to celebrate the book's launch).

Here's the first episode. A trailer, or teaser, if you will.

 

He’s an alpha wolf and a beta boyfriend.

She’s dated every monster in New York City.

It’s time for their Meat-Cute.

Michael Andrews, a Canadian living in New York, is learning to live with the side effects of lycanthropy. Other than waking up naked and bloody in Central Park once a month, he’s managing just fine. If only he could finish the book he’s supposed to be writing. If only he could find someone he trusted enough to tell the truth to.

Gail Sommers may not have her love life in order, but at least she’s smart about things that really matter. She runs the coolest occult shop in the city, and is a pre-eminent scholar of the occult. She’s made a vow of celibacy so that she can spend this year focusing on her work and her self-care. She’s even been hired to help out a very famous and very sexy horror author.

As a new era in the Canadian Werewolf saga begins, Lover’s Moon flashes back to the romantic and comedic story of how Michael and Gail met and fell in love back in the summer of 2011. Told through both Michael and Gail's unique perspectives, it also explores Gail's past, introduces new characters, and reveals some of the deeper secrets of both of their lives.

A special Canadian Werewolf tale co-authored by Mark Leslie and Julie Strauss.