“Alone at homeis a holiday classic that has left viewers with many questions over the years.
During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter'sAwards talkspodcast, the film's director, Chris Columbus, answered one of the Internet's most pressing questions: What did McCallister's parents do for a living?
In the film, not only does the family live in a mansion in Chicago, but the parents, played by Catherine O'Hara and John Heard, are able to pay for a trip to Paris for 15 people, including their direct and extended flight. Family members. Since the film's release in 1990, many fans have wondered how the couple managed to endure it all.
“At that time, John and I talked about it and decided what the jobs would be,” Columbus said. “We thought the mother, at the time, because we were using models downstairs – I remember having a conversation with her – was a very successful fashion designer. The father, based on John Hughes' own experience, could have worked in advertising, but I don't remember What the father did.”
Many “Home Alone” fans have been wondering for years how the family was able to afford their own home and a trip to Paris for 15 people. (Sarah Crowley)
Home Alone house and other famous Christmas movie locations you can visit in America
Columbus also dispelled the widespread belief that his father was involved in organized crime, explaining that “although there was a lot of organized crime in Chicago at the time, the father certainly was not involved.”
The film focuses on a large family who leaves for a vacation in Paris, only to realize that they have left behind their youngest son, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin). Kevin must then come to terms with being left behind, while also defending his home from the burglars, played by Joe Pesci and. Daniel Stern.
“We thought the mother, at the time, because we were using models downstairs — I remember having a conversation with her — was a very successful fashion designer.”
While “Home Alone” made him the movie star that Culkin became famous for, Columbus said he wasn't convinced by his casting as the lead when he first signed on to the project. In the end, he admitted that Culkin “was definitely the right kid,” but he had to overcome the “arrogance” he had as a director to recognize him.
“That's why John Hughes was such a great director-producer, and I learned so much from him,” Columbus explained. He said: “Can you take a look at the Macaulay encounter?” “So I said, ‘Yes, I would like to meet Macaulay, but I would also like to meet everyone else.’ I ended up meeting 300 other kids too, which was a huge waste of time, because I met Macaulay again, and it was magical.”
Macaulay Culkin became the ultimate child star of the '90s. (Everett Group)
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Naturally, Culkin would become the quintessential child star of the '90s, starring in the sequels, “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” “My Girl,” “Richie Rich,” and “The Page Manager.” And many more.
When it came to casting the other characters, Columbus said he knew the moment he saw Pesci and Stern on screen together that they were the perfect duo. He also confirmed the rumor that the legendary comedian Chris Farley He was also up for a role in the movie.
“Farley was just starting out at the time,” Columbus said of Farley’s invitation to tryout. “This guy came in at seven in the morning for our first reading of the guy who played Santa Claus in the movie. He wasn't in particularly good shape. He had just gotten out of spending the night in Chicago.”
In the end, Columbus said, “We had to say, 'Well, not this time.'” He also noted that in later life, he and Farley became good friends and often discussed his audition for the film.
Chris Farley auditioned for his role in “Home Alone.” (Getty Images)
In the interview, Columbus also shared how he directed the classic film, explaining that he was “supposed to direct another Christmas classic,”National Lampoon's Christmas Holiday“, but his interactions with superstar Chevy Chase led him to pass up the opportunity.
“I'm asking him all these questions, and he's dead and disinterested and distracted,” Columbus said on the THR podcast. “I thought: 'Wow, this is weird. For an actor who is committed to this movie, he really doesn't want to talk about it.'
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He continued: “About 40 minutes into the conversation, he said the most surreal thing I've ever heard in any meeting, before or after. He said, 'Wait a minute, are you the manager?' I said: “Yes.” And he said, “Oh, I thought you were the drummer.” “I don't even know what the hell that means.”
A second meeting with the actor didn't help convince him, as Columbus said Chase ignored him throughout dinner and “it was like I wasn't in the movie.” “Every time I brought up the film, he would change the subject,” he explained.
In the interview, Chris Columbus also shared how he directed the classic film, explaining that he was supposed to helm another Christmas classic, “National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.” Chevy Chase Championship. (Warner Bros.)
It was then that Hughes offered him the opportunity to direct “Home Alone.” He also directed “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone,” “Gremlins,” and “Mrs. Doubtfire“.
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