Spooked: "The Home Alone Curse" Summary

Release Date: December 13, 2024
Host: Glynn Washington
Featuring: Larry Hankin

Introduction

In this chilling episode of Spooked, hosted by Glynn Washington, broadcaster Larry Hankin shares a personal and eerie tale intertwining Hollywood ambition with supernatural occurrences. Titled "The Home Alone Curse," the story delves into the mysterious events surrounding the iconic 1990s Christmas movie Home Alone and Hankin's near-involvement in its production.

The Opportunity: A Golden Break

Larry Hankin begins his story by recounting an unexpected career opportunity that he believed could be his big break. In [05:09], Hankin explains:

"I was looking for rent and trying to learn guitar, two things. And in between that, I was trying to audition."

His agent contacts him with an enticing offer:

"Home Alone just called. They started a new production... it's a John Hughes next movie. It's going to be a Christmas thing, it's going to be big." [05:25]

The prospect of working alongside renowned actors like Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, and the young Macaulay Culkin had Hankin excited. However, the role was not straightforward. Daniel Stern had halted production over contract disputes, forcing the producers to seek replacements swiftly to keep the project on track.

The Suspicious Curse: An Ominous Beginnings

Hankin's excitement is palpable as he anticipates his role in what would become a beloved classic. However, his enthusiasm is short-lived when he learns that the film is rumored to be cursed due to the tumultuous production environment. In [09:40], Hankin shares:

"They say the movie is cursed because of the way they jerked you around... they feel guilty about it and figured bringing me in would appease the curse."

Despite initial hesitations about playing a minor role with only three lines, Hankin agrees to participate, enticed by the substantial compensation and the seamless logistics promised by the producers.

On-Set Supernatural Events: The Curse Unfolds

Upon arriving on set, Hankin is greeted with an abundance of glazed donuts, a prop essential to his character as a police officer. However, the situation quickly takes a bizarre turn. During [11:45], Hankin describes the unfolding chaos:

"There was a baker's rolling tray with 20 shelves, each holding 30 glazed donuts—600 in total. I just asked for one glazed doughnut, but they started disappearing mysteriously."

As filming commences, technical glitches and inexplicable mishaps deter Hankin from completing his lines. Despite multiple takes, each attempt is thwarted by supernatural interference:

"Each time I tried to deliver my lines, something would go wrong. Lights would explode, glass would rain down, and the crew seemed increasingly unsettled." [16:30]

One particularly unsettling moment occurs during take ten, where a single doughnut crumb behaves unnaturally, symbolizing the curse's grip on the production:

"I noticed that a crumb was stuck to the phone's mouthpiece, slowly rolling before finally dropping and ending the scene." [19:50]

The continuous failures during filming lead Hankin and the crew to believe that the curse is real, amplifying the tension on set.

Resolution: Lifting the Curse

After numerous failed takes and mounting frustration, director Chris Columbus decides to release Hankin from his role, deeming the footage unusable. In [21:00], Hankin recounts the final dismissal:

"They decided to print the scene despite the curse. When I protested, I wanted to redo it, but they insisted it was perfect for the movie."

Determined to understand the curse's origin, Hankin inspects the doughnuts and discovers that the glaze was specifically holding the stubborn crumb in place, suggesting deliberate tampering:

"The glaze was tacky and sticky, holding the crumb from falling. It was as if someone wanted that moment to be captured precisely." [22:10]

By participating and adhering to the producers' request to include his role, albeit briefly, Hankin believes he lifted the curse:

"Because the producers treated me so well and I played my part, I removed the curse from the movie." [25:00]

Subsequently, Home Alone was released to immense success, vindicating Hankin's experience and reinforcing the episode's supernatural undertones.

Insights and Reflections

Larry Hankin's story serves as a fascinating intersection between Hollywood's behind-the-scenes struggles and the enigmatic world of curses and supernatural beliefs. The episode explores themes such as:

• The Impact of Production Stress: The tension between actors and producers can create an environment ripe for rumors and negative energy, potentially fostering beliefs in curses or bad luck.

• Superstition in the Entertainment Industry: The notion of cursed projects is not uncommon in Hollywood lore, and Hankin's experience underscores how deeply these beliefs can affect those involved.

• Personal Resilience: Despite the unsettling events, Hankin's ability to navigate the situation and contribute to lifting the curse highlights the importance of perseverance and adaptability in challenging circumstances.

Notable Quotes

• Hankin on the Curse:
  "They say the movie is cursed because of the way they jerked you around... they feel guilty about it and figured bringing me in would appease the curse." [09:40]

• Hankin on Filming Chaos:
  "Each time I tried to deliver my lines, something would go wrong. Lights would explode, glass would rain down, and the crew seemed increasingly unsettled." [16:30]

• Hankin on Lifting the Curse:
  "Because the producers treated me so well and I played my part, I removed the curse from the movie." [25:00]

Conclusion

"The Home Alone Curse" is a gripping episode that blends personal narrative with supernatural intrigue, highlighting how behind-the-scenes dynamics can influence and even shape the destiny of a film. Larry Hankin's tale is not just a ghostly story but also a testament to the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry and the enduring power of belief in overcoming unseen forces.

Listeners are left pondering the real impact of curses and how belief, intention, and interpersonal relationships can manifest in tangible outcomes, both in the world of cinema and beyond.

Credits:
Special thanks to Sam Shaw for sharing Larry's story, the Crow Comedy Club in Santa Monica for hosting, and Snap Judgment Studios for producing this spine-tingling episode.