“Home Alone” is celebrating its 35th anniversary, reminding us of simpler times and good family fun. The movie, which came out in 1990, quickly became a favorite, making Macaulay Culkin a star.
The story is about a young boy who gets left at home by accident when his family goes to Paris for Christmas. He has to protect his house from two goofy burglars. Here are some interesting things you might not know about the movie.
Macaulay Culkin was the perfect choice from the start. Writer John Hughes had worked with him before and knew he was talented. Director Chris Columbus looked at other kids but realized Culkin had something special – he wasn’t a typical Hollywood kid; he was funny and real.
One of the most famous scenes is when Kevin puts on aftershave and screams. Culkin did it differently than planned, holding his hands on his face. The director liked it so much that it became the movie’s poster.
Remember the old gangster movie Kevin watches, “Angels with Filthy Souls”? It wasn’t a real movie. They made it just for “Home Alone.” It’s become a classic part of the film.
And what about Buzz’s girlfriend? The filmmakers didn’t want to make fun of anyone, so they used the art director’s son dressed as a girl for the photo.
“Home Alone” did very well in theaters, staying at the top for weeks and making a lot of money. It showed that family-friendly movies can be a big hit.
Joe Pesci, who played one of the burglars, got a little too into his role. During rehearsal, he bit Macaulay Culkin’s finger, leaving a scar.
The director, Chris Columbus, almost directed “Christmas Vacation” but left because he didn’t get along with Chevy Chase. Luckily, that led him to “Home Alone.”
Comedy legend John Candy was in the movie, too. He only had a day to film, and he made up a lot of his lines.
Daniel Stern, the other burglar, almost didn’t do the movie because of a pay dispute. But he came back, and we’re glad he did.
People have always wondered what the McCallisters did for work to afford such a big trip. The director said the mom was a fashion designer, and the dad might have worked in advertising. But definitely, no funny business!
“Home Alone” reminds us of the importance of family, especially during the holidays. It’s a fun, clean movie that people of all ages can enjoy. It teaches us that even when things go wrong, family and a little bit of ingenuity can save the day.
