In a recent interview on The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast, Home Alone director Chris Columbus shared an interesting behind-the-scenes moment about the film’s most iconic scene: Macaulay Culkin’s "aftershave" reaction. According to Columbus, the memorable moment was completely unplanned.
"The aftershave thing was in the script, but part of it was an accident," Columbus explained. The director had initially instructed Culkin to apply the aftershave, then quickly remove his hands and scream. However, Culkin held his hands to his face longer than expected, resulting in an unexpected but hilarious moment. "I don't know why he did it," Columbus admitted. "He was supposed to remove his hands right away, but he didn't. Maybe he was nervous. But it made all of us laugh." Despite the crew laughing, Columbus wasn't initially sure whether it would work, but after it was included in the film’s first preview, the audience loved it, and it became one of the most memorable moments in the movie.
Columbus went on to emphasize that it was all Culkin’s instinct, stating, "It was Macaulay who made it happen. I can't take credit for it." The director also reflected on other memorable Home Alone moments, including the casting of Daniel Stern and Joe Pesci as the burglars Marv and Harry. Columbus mentioned that Stern’s chemistry with Pesci was undeniable from the start, and the duo’s dynamic became a key part of the film's success.
Speaking fondly of Culkin, Columbus called him "a great actor" and expressed interest in working with him again. “I’d love to work with Macaulay again," he said. "He's incredibly talented, and people need to see that."
Culkin, for his part, recently revealed he considered purchasing the actual Home Alone house when it was put up for sale, joking that he’d turn it into a "movie fun house." However, his busy life as a father of two toddlers kept him from making the purchase.
Columbus also touched on the film’s music, recalling how iconic composer John Williams contributed to Home Alone's unforgettable score.
Source: People Magazine