Home Alone’s director, Chris Columbus, has finally debunked a popular theory about Kevin’s dad, and it might have just saved the movie’s ending. Ever sinceHome Alonewas released, it has repeatedly been named as one of thebest holiday movies from the 1990sand evolved into a popular franchise. The movie is filled with violent stunts, planned and executed by the young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin). Yet there have been rumors that Kevin’s innovative skills were inspired by the career of his father, Peter McCallister (John Heard).
Given the McCallisters' fortune and the father’s unnamed career,there has been a lurking theory that Peter McCallister is a mobster. As organized crime was a big deal in Chicago in the 1990s, it was plausible that the McCallister family is well acquainted with the dark side of crime. This would explain Peter’s nonchalance when the wet bandits arrive disguised as police at the start of the movie and how their family can afford their large and lovely home. However, Columbus has crushed this theory, as he revealedPeter McCallister’s job is in a lucrative but legalfield.
If Peter Were In The Mob, He Could Have Discovered Kevin’s Secret
When Peter finds Harry’s (Joe Pesci) knocked-out gold tooth at the end of the movie, he looks at it quizzically, but it is clear he thinks it is a tooth based on his facial reaction when he finds it. If Peter were a mob boss, the tooth could have reminded him of past fights he has had knocking out someone’s teeth. This could have then led him to wonder how the tooth came to be in his house, leading him to be suspicious of Kevin’s involvement in the injury. However,by giving Peter a normal career, Kevin’s secret stays safe.
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While Peter may be aware that he is holding a tooth, he does not languish wondering how it came to be in the house. Given his normal profession, he would never assume his eight-year-old child was knocking out criminals' teeth while he was gone. Giving Peter a common vocation saves the film’s ending because itsaves the bit. No one really knows what Kevin was up to, but if Peter was in the mob, he might have guessed.
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Peter & Kate McCallister Got Rich Legally
In an interview withThe Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatterpodcast,Chris Columbus revealed the true reason behind the McCallisters' family fortune, and it was not via organized crime.He said: “Kate McCallister [Catherine O’Hara] was a very successful fashion designer, as suggested by the mannequins in the family’s basement.” While no specific career was given to Peter, it was suggested that he could have “worked in advertising,” as inspired by the work experience of John Hughes,Home Alone’s writer and producer.
Columbus' answer goes a long way toward solving themystery behind the McCallisters' family fortune. While Kevin’s family inHome Alonehas no connections to mobsters, it is clear that a life of crime is comically fitting for Kevin, as long as it is done to protect himself and his loved ones. After all, his only Christmas wish was to see his family again, making family the centerpiece ofHome Alone, even with all the violence throughout it.
Home Alone
Cast
Home Alone tells the story of Kevin McAllister, an eight-year-old who is left behind in his Chicago home when his family flies to Paris for the holidays. Not only must Kevin keep himself safe while his mother flies back across the world, but he must protect his home from the Wet Bandits - serial burglars who are targeting the McAllister House. Kevin must use every trick in the book to keep the Wet Bandits from stealing Christmas before his mother returns.
