The documentary “John Candy: I Like Me” debuted Oct. 10 on Amazon Prime.
It chronicles the life of the late actor/comedian who, despite his jovial public persona, struggled privately with mental health issues stemming from the sudden, traumatic loss of his father to a heart attack on Candy’s 5th birthday.
The documentary takes part of its title from a line Candy delivered to “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” co-star Steve Martin, who talks about some of the things that went on behind the scenes.
What the doc didn’t touch on was Candy’s interactions with the people of Batavia, where part of the Thanksgiving classic was shot.
When John Candy took over a Batavia pizzeria
Around midnight on Feb. 24, 1987, Candy stopped at a tavern called Heveron’s Towne Manor, the Democrat and Chronicle reported at that time.
After a game of electronic darts, Candy decided he was hungry. Nick Cinquino, manager of nearby pizzeria The Pizza Partners, was there and offered to make Candy “the best pizza in Batavia.”
Candy agreed to go — but only if he could make the pizza. Cinquino opened his shop around 2:30 a.m., and Candy took over the kitchen, keeping the group up until 4:30 a.m.
The scene was described to the D&C as being like an Italian family gathering.
Cinquino said Candy was good at working the pizza dough. “I’d give him a job.”
Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com. Follow her on X @MarciaGreenwood.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: The pizza shop story fans didn’t see in the new John Candy documentary
Reporting by Marcia Greenwood, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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