For millions, the grand Georgian house at 671 Lincoln Avenue in Winnetka, a Chicago suburb, is the iconic backdrop to the Christmas classic Home Alone. But for former owner John Abendshien, it was simply home – a fact that took a surreal turn when director Chris Columbus chose it as the McCallister family residence.
A 'Warm and Menacing' Setting
When Columbus first described the five-bedroom property as "warm and menacing," Abendshien was puzzled. "I thought, what on earth does he mean by 'menacing'!" he recalled to The Independent. "I always thought it had a warm vibe!" His perspective shifted upon seeing the finished 1990 film. The eerie lighting and John Williams' score as young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) prepared for battle made the 'menacing' quality brilliantly clear.
Abendshien, a healthcare strategist, had purchased the home in 1989 for $875,000, captivated by its light and shape from the moment he saw it. Less than a year later, location scout Jacolyn Bucksbaum contacted him. Their connection went back to 1983, when Abendshien lived in nearby Evanston during the filming of John Hughes's Sixteen Candles.
"John Hughes really liked to do his filming in the Chicago North Shore area," Abendshien explained, citing Hughes's familiarity with the area's Norman Rockwell-ian atmosphere of tree-lined streets as an ideal, relatable backdrop.
Life on Set with the McCallisters
Initially, the family moved out for filming, but soon returned for convenience, occupying a suite of rooms Abendshien dubbed their "movie cave." This gave them a front-row seat to the production and a chance to bond with the cast and crew.
"I get a little emotional thinking about the cast and crew, because they became our movie family," he said. He described Dan Stern (Marv) as a real-life prankster who loved playing with the children, while Joe Pesci was more serious but gracious. Of Catherine O'Hara, who played Kate McCallister, he said: "Oh my gosh, she's the quintessential mom. She took my six-year-old daughter under her wing."
The family's main restriction was avoiding windows during exterior shoots, a rule that reminded Abendshien of his army days crawling under windows. The film's interior decor, however, was a shock. The production's bold red and green holiday wallpaper was a far cry from Abendshien's subtle art deco palette. "It hurt my eyes!" he laughed, relieved it was temporary foam board that caused no damage.
The Legacy and the 'Fishbowl' Effect
Upon the film's release, which saw it top the box office for three months, the house instantly became a pilgrimage site. Fans would press their faces to the windows, making Abendshien feel he was "living in a fishbowl." To this day, hundreds visit daily, with roads sometimes closed during holidays due to traffic.
This fan attention, initially intrusive, eventually became a source of joy and insight. In his new memoir, Home But Alone No More, Abendshien explores these encounters. "I started chatting people up and realising what a joy it was for them to be there," he said. "That joy was infectious for me."
He concluded that the film's universal comedy bridges divides in a polarised society, attracting people from all backgrounds. He sold the property in 2012 for $1,585,000, but cherishes the unique experience and the education it provided about the power of a beloved story.
