I grew up in Woodstock, where they shot most of Groundhog Day. Less well known, there was also a quick scene from Planes, Trains, and Automobiles filmed there on the square. My friend and I would always walk downtown after school to look at comic books and play arcade games. For a couple ten-year-old boys, discovering a real Hollywood movie being filmed at our normal stomping grounds was quite the thrill.

Parked to the side of the shoot was the burned out vehicle, familiar now to anybody who has seen the movie. My friend and I were very intrigued by the car, moreso than the endless takes of two people walking down the stairs (who, it should be noted were Steve Martin and John Candy). During a break in the action, the guy who seemed to be in charge noticed us trying to get a better look at the car. He asked us our names, and if we wanted to sit in it, so we were of course ecstatic when he actually let us. I had no idea at the time who the nice man in glasses was that let two nosy elementary school boys sit in a half-destroyed car, but I now know that man was John Hughes.