# Obvious things about a creative work you realize after the millionth time (OPEN SPOILERS POSSIBLE) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 24, 2009, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117 "2009-07-24T13:20:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 313
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6247 "2025-03-17T14:34:17Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > He jumped from 20 thousand feet and didn’t pull the cord, > He jumped from 20 thousand feet and didn’t pull the cord, > He jumped from 20 thousand feet and didn’t pull the cord, > And he ain’t gonna jump no more! WWII paratroopers had their own version of this. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/SbL2pHsPaxw/maxresdefault.jpg "Blood On The Risers - Gory Gory What a Helluva Way to Die") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbL2pHsPaxw) ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6248 "2025-03-17T16:13:11Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > The book also mentions he wears a hood (presumably, then, a hooded cape). > > But if director Rob Reiner decided against giving him a hooded cape You don’t cast Cary Elwes in his prime, and then cover up his _entire_ face! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6249 "2025-03-17T20:46:33Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > But except for the mention of the cape, which the DPR doesn’t have in the movie, I don’t see what your basis is for claiming that… > > > Goldman must have envisioned a different mask than the one used in the movie. As Telemark noted, in the book, Wesley says that Indigo can’t see that he’s smiling. This means he was wearing a full face mask, unlike in the movie. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6250 "2025-03-17T20:50:11Z")
D’oh! I didn’t catch that point. Sorry, @Telemark. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2025, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6251 "2025-03-18T00:26:01Z")
Same chorus, but different verses. The verses we sang in Scouts went straight to the aftermath, without worrying about what happened on the way down. “He splattered on the highway like a lump of strawberry jam”, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2025, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6252 "2025-03-18T05:47:50Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > They’re quite comfortable. I predict that everyone will be wearing them in the future. During the COVID days, YouTubers reacting to _The Princess Bride_ had field day with that line. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2025, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6253 "2025-03-18T13:34:41Z")
No worries, I didn’t make my point very clear. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2025, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6254 "2025-03-18T21:10:13Z")
In _Home Alone_, the McCallisters have to wake up early in the morning to catch their flight to Paris. I know, it’s because the plot requires it, but it only just now struck me that this is _wrong_. Flights from North America to Europe almost always depart in the evening. And their flight appears to be non-stop. But even if they were connecting, there would be no reason to take an early morning flight. A flight from Chicago to anywhere on the east coast where they might connect would only take maybe two hours, and taking a flight that early in the morning would just result in an overly long layover. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2025, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6255 "2025-03-18T21:20:13Z")
Meh. My son once found a flight between Sacramento CA and Rochester NY that had a 24 hour layover in Chicago. It was cheaper than the other flights if you didn’t add in a hotel. Some flights are just weird. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2025, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6256 "2025-03-18T21:31:44Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > A flight from Chicago to anywhere on the east coast where they might connect would only take maybe two hours, and taking a flight that early in the morning would just result in an overly long layover. Did the movie say how early the flight was? I know the power went out and the alarm clock(s) didn’t go off and they overslept but all that really means is that it wasn’t an afternoon flight. I might need an alarm clock to wake up by 9 am the morning I had a bunch of family over. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2025, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6257 "2025-03-18T22:00:03Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > My son once found a flight between Sacramento CA and Rochester NY that had a 24 hour layover in Chicago. It was cheaper than the other flights if you didn’t add in a hotel. Yeah, but the McCallisters are obviously a pretty wealthy family. They don’t seem like the types to book a less convenient flight just to save a little money. And a major city like Chicago is going to have multiple flights a day to anyplace where one could connect to Paris, so it’s not like flight schedules would necessitate a morning flight. > [@doreen](#): > > Did the movie say how early the flight was? I know the power went out and the alarm clock(s) didn’t go off and they overslept but all that really means is that it wasn’t an afternoon flight. I might need an alarm clock to wake up by 9 am the morning I had a bunch of family over. That’s a fair point. I don’t recall if they said how early it was, but it seemed early. But I just realized there is more than likely a shot of the destination display when the family gets to the gate, and I bet it shows the flight is non-stop to Paris from O’Hare. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2025, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6258 "2025-03-18T22:04:54Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Flights from North America to Europe almost always depart in the evening. Tell that to the people who booked my flight two weeks ag. Nonstop flight to Europe leaving early in the morning ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2025, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6259 "2025-03-18T22:08:55Z")
I did say “almost”. New York - London is one exception I’m aware of where there are early morning flights, but the vast majority are overnight fights that depart in the evening. I’m not aware of there ever being a morning flight from O’Hare to Paris. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2025, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6260 "2025-03-28T02:24:05Z")
If you rub Martin Balsam, you get Martin Sheen. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6261 "2025-03-31T12:00:56Z")
Less than an hour ago, the Commodores’ “Nightshift” played on the radio and I actually listened to the lyrics for the first time. Wow, it’s about Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson! ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6262 "2025-04-02T17:12:53Z")
It just occurred to me that OOO (the candy kingdom in _Adventure Time)_ is just the kind of thing a teenage (autistic?) girl with candy powers would build. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6263 "2025-04-02T17:50:01Z")
Listening to the Little Shop of Horrors soundtrack. In the song “Somewhere That’s Green”, Audrey sings of Seymour, “He rakes and trims the grass, he loves to mow and weed”, and I realized, “Of course he does. Dude has a green thumb!” Before, I just figured she meant Seymour would enjoy the domestic life. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6264 "2025-04-02T17:55:18Z")
Here’s my question, when checking in, wouldn’t someone have noticed an extra ticket or passport? ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6265 "2025-04-02T18:07:30Z")
Been a while since I watched it, but I think Kevin’s father accidentally throws out Kevin’s passport and boarding pass while cleaning up the spilled milk the night before. ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/6266 "2025-04-02T18:50:56Z")
You are correct. It’s a detail I completely missed the first few times I saw the film, but it seems so obvious when I watch it these days. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117.md?page=312) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117.md?page=314)