Where Was the Pool Scene Filmed in Home Alone?
Where Was the Pool Scene Filmed in Home Alone?
The iconic pool scene in Home Alone, where young Kevin McCallister plays in the pool with a lawn chair, was actually filmed at a different location than many might suspect. It wasn't at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, as one might imagine, but rather at the Lincoln Park Districts swimming pool in Chicago, Illinois.
The Actual Filming Location
The filmmakers chose the Lincoln Park Districts swimming pool in Chicago for its visually striking setting. This decision helped to bring the memorable moments of the film to life, including the well-known scene where Kevin, played by Macaulay Culkin, interacts with his lawn chair and the pool water. The surrounding environment, with its unique features and lighting, provided the perfect backdrop for capturing the essence of a Chicago summer.
Why the Four Seasons?
A common misconception is that the swimming pool scene was filmed at the Four Seasons hotel in Chicago. This is a result of confusion or misremembering. In reality, the Four Seasons does not have a swimming pool located on-site, making it an unlikely candidate for such a scene. Instead, the exterior shots of the pool and surrounding area were likely used for continuity and to give viewers a sense of being in a luxurious, cityscape setting.
The Fictional Home Location
It's also worth noting that the exterior shots where Kevin sets up his elaborate traps and navigation system were not filmed in New York City. In reality, the exterior shots were filmed in a recognizable residential area in Chicago. This choice was made because the filmmakers wanted to keep the film's setting authentic while also providing a city that many people could relate to in the United States.
Other Filming Locations
In addition to the swimming pool scene, many other locations around Chicago were used during the filming of Home Alone. The McCallister's home was a house in the Beverly neighborhood, and the exterior shots of the house were filmed at a different location. The neighborhood scenes were filmed around the Chicago metropolitan area, capturing the essence of a suburban home life that many viewers could imagine.
Conclusion
The filming locations of Home Alone provide a fascinating glimpse into the production of classic family films. The choice of Chicago as the primary filming location not only made sense for creating the setting but also helped to connect with an audience on a deeper level.