Hostage for a Day
Encyclopedia
Hostage for a Day is a 1994 comedic film starring and directed by Canadian comedian and actor John Candy
. Though the film is billed as "starring" Candy, it in fact only features him as a minor character, as a Russia
n hostage taker.
The film centers around a Warren Kooey (played by George Wendt
), who, at the age of 41, begins having a mid-life crisis
. His plans are to take a trip to the state of Alaska
, but his plans are derailed after his wife drains his entire bank account (approximately $40,000) to pay for a remodeling job by famous homebuilder "Hondo" (who appears to be based on model Fabio
). Kooey decides to pose as being held hostage by some Russian, and calls the SWAT team on himself (an inept, budget-strapped band of cops led by Don Lake
) in an effort to extort $50,000. Things take a turn for the worse when a real Russian hostage-taker (Candy) takes Kooey hostage.
John Candy
John Franklin Candy was a Canadian actor and comedian. He rose to fame as a member of the Toronto branch of The Second City and its related Second City Television series, and through his appearances in comedy films such as Stripes, Splash, Cool Runnings, The Great Outdoors, Spaceballs, and Uncle...
. Though the film is billed as "starring" Candy, it in fact only features him as a minor character, as a Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n hostage taker.
The film centers around a Warren Kooey (played by George Wendt
George Wendt
George Robert Wendt III is an American actor, best known for the roles of Norm Peterson and Tug Clarke on the television shows Cheers and Modern Men.-Early life:...
), who, at the age of 41, begins having a mid-life crisis
Mid-life crisis
Midlife crisis is a term coined in 1965 by Elliott Jaques and used in Western societies to describe a period of dramatic self-doubt that is felt by some individuals in the "middle years" or middle age of life, as a result of sensing the passing of their own youth and the imminence of their old age...
. His plans are to take a trip to the state of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
, but his plans are derailed after his wife drains his entire bank account (approximately $40,000) to pay for a remodeling job by famous homebuilder "Hondo" (who appears to be based on model Fabio
Fabio Lanzoni
Fabio Lanzoni ; born March 15, 1959), widely known simply as Fabio, is a famous international Italian fashion model, spokesperson and actor who appeared on the cover of hundreds of romance novels throughout the 1980s and 1990s....
). Kooey decides to pose as being held hostage by some Russian, and calls the SWAT team on himself (an inept, budget-strapped band of cops led by Don Lake
Don Lake
Don Lake is a Canadian actor, film and television writer, and television producer. He is frequently cast by director Christopher Guest, and is also a close friend and the collaborative partner of Bonnie Hunt....
) in an effort to extort $50,000. Things take a turn for the worse when a real Russian hostage-taker (Candy) takes Kooey hostage.
Cast
- George WendtGeorge WendtGeorge Robert Wendt III is an American actor, best known for the roles of Norm Peterson and Tug Clarke on the television shows Cheers and Modern Men.-Early life:...
as Warren Kooey - John VernonJohn VernonJohn Keith Vernon was a Canadian actor. He made a career in Hollywood after achieving initial television stardom in Canada.-Early life:...
as V.D. Regan - Robin DukeRobin DukeRobin Duke is a Canadian actress and comedian. Duke is most famous for her work on the NBC comedy series Saturday Night Live. In the 2000s, Women Fully Clothed, a sketch comedy troupe which she co-founded, toured Canada...
as Elizabeth Kooey - Peter Torokvei as Ronny
- Kathleen LaskeyKathleen LaskeyKathleen Laskey, sometimes credited as Kathy Laskey, is a Canadian actress, primarily associated with television roles. Her credits include roles in Check it Out!, Being Erica, Street Legal, George Shrinks, Blue Murder, Yin Yang Yo!, Wayside, Weird Years, At the Hotel and The Eleventh...
as Jackie - Don LakeDon LakeDon Lake is a Canadian actor, film and television writer, and television producer. He is frequently cast by director Christopher Guest, and is also a close friend and the collaborative partner of Bonnie Hunt....
as Lt. Sneed - Currie GrahamCurrie GrahamCurrie Graham is a Canadian stage, film and television actor. He studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City....
as Hondo - John HemphillJohn HemphillJohn Hemphill is the name of:* John Hemphill , U.S. Senator from Texas and Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court* John Hemphill , American comedian...
- Christopher Templeton as Diane St. Clair
- Walter Alza as Ramon
- Rick BennettRick BennettEric John "Rick" Bennett is a retired American ice hockey left winger. He was drafted 54th overall by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft and played a total of 15 games in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers.-External links:...
as Caretaker - Vic Cummings as TV Anchor Paul
- Monika DeolMonika DeolMonika Deol is a Canadian television personality. She began as a reporter for Citytv in Toronto, and later became a VJ for MuchMusic, hosting and co-producing Electric Circus from 1988 to 1996...
as Monica Etheridge - Jack DuffyJack DuffyJack Duffy was a Canadian singer, comedian and actor.-Biography:Born in Montreal, Duffy grew up in Toronto, dropping out of Central Technical School to become a singer...
as SWAT Three - Peter Ferri as Derelict Madman
- John CandyJohn CandyJohn Franklin Candy was a Canadian actor and comedian. He rose to fame as a member of the Toronto branch of The Second City and its related Second City Television series, and through his appearances in comedy films such as Stripes, Splash, Cool Runnings, The Great Outdoors, Spaceballs, and Uncle...
as Yuri Petrovich