Dial Code Santa Claus is a much different film than Home Alone, but nevertheless, its core premise was basically the same, and the timing of its debut was somewhat suspicious — at least it seemed so to the director, Rene Manzor. As was reported by The New York Times in 1992, Manzor claimed that 20th Century Fox “remade” his movie. While he threatened legal action, Fox “denied any similarity between the films,” as did screenwriter John Hughes who claimed he’d never seen Dial Code Santa Claus.
The minor controversy went away as Dial Code Santa Claus faded into obscurity, but it’s been generating more interest in recent years thanks to screenings at Fantastic Fest and Alamo Drafthouse, and the film finally got a Blu-Ray release just last year. Which makes it extra weird that Home Sweet Home Alone is seemingly even more similar to Dial Code Santa Claus than the original because it finds its child hero battling a burglar who’s dressed as Santa Claus!
UGC
Disney
Sure, this was likely just a coincidence, and Dial Code Santa Claus obviously didn’t invent the concept of a home invader Santa. Still, it’s kind of crazy that one of this franchise’s only narrative changes seems to involve adding plot points from the movie the original was accused of ripping off.
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Top Image: Disney
Related: The Plot Of The Rejected ‘Home Alone’ Sequel Was Insane
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'Home Sweet Home Alone' Reboots An Old Controversy
Source: Pinoy Daily News
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