Edit: I’m learning that it’s possible that the tree knocked out the long distance wires, but left local calls still connected and functional. 911 would still work, but as others pointed out maybe he wasn’t trusting the cops at the moment.
Though he does call the cops on the wet bandits at the end? Maybe he valued his safety less than he loved being alone.
Edit2: though his parents are able to leave answering machine messages on all the neighbors’ machines, so there goes that theory
That’s not really how phone lines work, unless the central office had its own issues. When you have a POTS (plain old telephone service) line at your house, that two-wire pair runs directly back to the central office where it gets switched to local, long distance, etc. So if you have dial tone, you’re connected.
I think the argument is that the connection between the central office and whatever long-distance hub was severed. This isn’t depicted in the film, as they only show the tree falling nearby the house.
That’s not really how phone lines work, unless the central office had its own issues. When you have a POTS (plain old telephone service) line at your house, that two-wire pair runs directly back to the central office where it gets switched to local, long distance, etc. So if you have dial tone, you’re connected.
Yep. The meme seems to be created by someone who has a vague recollection of the movie, with assumptions of it being a lot simpler. There are a ton if plot holes in the movie, but this is not one of them.
I distinctly remember the Wet Bandits cutting the phone line.
And didn’t one of them show up at the house at the beginning dressed as a police officer? For all Kevin knew the police were in on it!
Kevin thought the police were violent thieves. Home Alone was accidentally based.
kevin MccAllister
And Kevin thought the police were after him when he stole that toothbrush from the store.
The were, at least the one
Kevin also enjoys a good western—he might have a healthy skepticism concerning law enforcement.
God dern Pinkertons.
I’ve got a plan. We’re going to Tahiti.
Merry Christmas ya filthy animal!
I’m gonna give you to the count of ten. 1… 2… 10 bang bang
It was the wind storm that also knocked out the power.
How did he order pizza then, hmmmmm?!
Edit: I’m learning that it’s possible that the tree knocked out the long distance wires, but left local calls still connected and functional. 911 would still work, but as others pointed out maybe he wasn’t trusting the cops at the moment.
Though he does call the cops on the wet bandits at the end? Maybe he valued his safety less than he loved being alone.
Edit2: though his parents are able to leave answering machine messages on all the neighbors’ machines, so there goes that theory
That’s not really how phone lines work, unless the central office had its own issues. When you have a POTS (plain old telephone service) line at your house, that two-wire pair runs directly back to the central office where it gets switched to local, long distance, etc. So if you have dial tone, you’re connected.
I think the argument is that the connection between the central office and whatever long-distance hub was severed. This isn’t depicted in the film, as they only show the tree falling nearby the house.
That’s not really how phone lines work, unless the central office had its own issues. When you have a POTS (plain old telephone service) line at your house, that two-wire pair runs directly back to the central office where it gets switched to local, long distance, etc. So if you have dial tone, you’re connected.
Yep. The meme seems to be created by someone who has a vague recollection of the movie, with assumptions of it being a lot simpler. There are a ton if plot holes in the movie, but this is not one of them.
This movie is clearly Kevin’s side of the story. He likely made that part up. This was sport to him.
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