The 1990 holiday classic Home Alone is full of unforgettable moments, but few are as iconic as the scene where Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, slaps aftershave on his face and lets out a dramatic scream. According to director Chris Columbus, that moment wasn’t planned at all—it was a complete accident.
The Unplanned Scream
In recent The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast episode, Columbus revealed that the famous scream wasn’t in the script. According to director Chris Columbus, "The aftershave thing was in the script. Part of it was an accident. He was supposed to put the aftershave on, put his hands to his face, and immediately remove his hands and then scream". Columbus continued, "Maybe he was nervous. He just didn’t move his hands from his cheeks and it made all of us laugh. So it was a complete accident.”
The instinctive brilliance of Macaulay Culkin turned what could have been a small, scripted moment into an iconic scene that defined the movie. That's how spontaneity often leads to cinematic magic.
Casting Challenges
Columbus also shared how the casting of the Wet Bandits, Harry and Marv, came together. "Someone else unfortunately was cast with Pesci, and we did a screen test and it didn't work out," Columbus recalled. "And we had always wanted Stern, but Stern was too expensive. So we essentially had to let the other guy go and, you know, paste Daniel Stern."
"The moment they did their wardrobe test together, we knew there was this instantaneous chemistry between the two of them," he added.
Working with Macaulay Culkin Again
Columbus expressed admiration for Culkin’s talent, highlighting how the young actor’s instincts contributed to the film’s success. He mentioned that he would love to work with Culkin again, noting, "He’s one of the most naturally gifted actors I’ve ever worked with."
With its mix of accidental brilliance, talented performances, and unforgettable music, Home Alone has solidified its place as a beloved holiday tradition. Columbus’ insights offer a fascinating glimpse into how unexpected moments and collaborative efforts shaped the film into the classic it is today.
