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The 1990s blessed us with beloved Christmas movies, notably “Jingle All The Way” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” but few films capture the innocence and festive cheer of the season like the iconic Home Alone duo: “Home Alone” and its sequel “Home Alone 2: Lost In New York.” These classics, featuring Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, deliver timeless humor that continues to elicit smiles no matter how often they’re watched. The comedic rivalry between Kevin and the bumbling Wet Bandits, Marv (Daniel Stern) and Harry (Joe Pesci), coupled with Kevin’s ingenious use of the faux gangster film “Angels With Filthy Souls,” adds delightful mischief to the mix.
Surprisingly, “Angels with Filthy Souls” and its sequel “Angels With Even Filthier Souls” are not real movies. They were specially created for the Home Alone series. These faux noirish gangster films feature memorable scenes with Johnny (Ralph Foody), a classic mobster character, threatening with his Tommy Gun. In the first film, Johnny confronts a mobster named Snakes, setting the stage for a tense exchange before delivering the iconic line: “Keep the change, you filthy animal.” In the sequel, Johnny’s fiery encounter with his girlfriend culminates in the famous holiday quote: “Merry Christmas, Ya filthy animal. And a happy new year.”
Johnny’s pivotal role in both Home Alone movies aids Kevin’s escapades, as Kevin ingeniously employs these films to outwit his adversaries. Using “Angels With Filthy Souls,” Kevin spooks the Wet Bandits in the first film and creates chaos at the Plaza Hotel in the second.
These faux films were inspired by “Angels With Dirty Faces,” starring James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart, exploring the complexities of a troubled man. Interestingly, the roles in the Home Alone films’ faux movie were initially different before being switched due to actor constraints. Filming for these segments took place in a single day in an abandoned high school gymnasium, creating a noir ambiance with misty fog, detective-style décor, and using authentic props like the Colt 1921AC Thompson submachine gun.
Regrettably, the entirety of these short films isn’t available for viewing, but glimpses can be seen on the DVD versions of the Home Alone films. Alternatively, fans can enjoy these snippets during Christmas movie marathons on streaming platforms like Disney+.
“Home Alone” is currently streaming on Disney+ in the U.S., offering a nostalgic journey into the heartwarming and mischievous adventures of Kevin McCallister.