Chevy Chase Christmas Vacation: Ultimate Holiday Movie Guide
Introduction: Why This Movie Became a Holiday Classic
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a beloved holiday film. It stars Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold. The movie was released in 1989. It quickly became a Christmas tradition for many families. The story follows the Griswold family during the holidays. They want to have a perfect Christmas. But everything goes wrong in funny ways.
Chevy Chase plays the father, Clark Griswold. He works hard to make Christmas special. His wife Ellen is played by Beverly D'Angelo. Their children are Audrey and Rusty. The movie shows their crazy relatives visiting. There is also a funny cousin named Eddie. He shows up with his family in an RV.
The film was directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik. It was written by John Hughes. Hughes wrote many popular 80s movies. Christmas Vacation was the third film in the Vacation series. But it became the most popular one. People love it because it feels real. Many families have similar holiday experiences.
This guide will explore everything about the movie. We will look at the story and characters. We will discuss why it remains popular today. You will learn fun facts and behind-the-scenes details. We will also share how to enjoy the movie with your family.
The Story of Christmas Vacation: A Holiday Comedy
The movie begins with Clark Griswold and his family. They are cutting down a Christmas tree. Clark wants the biggest tree possible. This leads to a funny scene in the woods. They bring home a huge tree. But it is too big for their living room.
Clark is determined to have the perfect Christmas. He covers the house with thousands of lights. The lighting scene is one of the most famous moments. Clark works for hours to get the lights working. When they finally light up, the neighborhood is amazed. But the lights cause a power outage in the area.
The Family Arrives
Clark's parents and in-laws come to visit. They all have different personalities. This creates funny situations. Clark's father is grumpy and critical. His mother is sweet but forgetful. Ellen's parents are also staying with them.
The most memorable relative is Cousin Eddie. He arrives unexpectedly with his wife and children. They live in their RV in the driveway. Eddie is unemployed and clueless. But he means well. His character provides many laughs.
Christmas Preparations
Clark tries to make everything perfect. He wants a big Christmas bonus from his job. He plans to use the money for a swimming pool. But things keep going wrong. The Christmas dinner is a disaster. The turkey is dried out. The cat eats the turkey and gets sick.
One famous scene involves a squirrel. The squirrel jumps out of the Christmas tree. It runs around the house causing chaos. The family chases it while screaming. This scene shows how things can go wrong during holidays.
Behind the Scenes: Making the Movie
The movie was filmed in the winter of 1988. Most scenes were shot on sound stages. The exterior shots used fake snow. The production team worked hard to create Christmas atmosphere. They used real Christmas trees and decorations.
Chevy Chase was perfect for the role of Clark. He brought physical comedy skills. His facial expressions and falls were hilarious. Beverly D'Angelo played Ellen with warmth and patience. She was the calm center of the family storm.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
The movie has many famous lines. People still quote them today. When Clark sees his Christmas bonus, he says: "Hallelujah! Holy shit! Where's the Tylenol?" This line shows his shock and disappointment.
Another great quote is from Cousin Eddie. He says: "The little lights are not twinkling." This is when Clark's Christmas lights won't work. Eddie tries to help but makes things worse.
The dinner prayer scene is also classic. Clark's aunt says a very long prayer. She blesses everyone and everything. The family gets more hungry and impatient. This scene feels real to many viewers.
Production Challenges
Making a Christmas movie in spring was difficult. The crew had to create winter indoors. They used artificial snow and cold breath effects. The actors had to pretend it was cold. But they were actually warm under the lights.
The house set was built on a sound stage. It looked like a real suburban home. The production designers added Christmas decorations everywhere. They wanted it to feel like a family really lived there.
Why Christmas Vacation Remains Popular
The movie has become a holiday tradition. Families watch it every year. It has been on television for decades. New generations discover it each Christmas. There are several reasons for its lasting appeal.
First, the humor is timeless. The jokes are about family dynamics. These situations never change. Everyone has difficult relatives. Many people struggle with holiday expectations. The movie makes these struggles funny.
Second, the characters feel real. Clark Griswold is like many fathers. He wants to provide a perfect holiday. He works hard but things go wrong. Viewers relate to his frustrations. They laugh because they have been in similar situations.
Cultural Impact
Christmas Vacation has influenced holiday culture. Many people now try to copy Clark's light display. Some neighborhoods have lighting competitions. The movie inspired real-life Christmas traditions.
Merchandise from the movie is popular. You can buy Christmas sweaters like in the film. There are ornaments and decorations too. People even host Christmas Vacation viewing parties. They serve foods from the movie.
Critical Reception
When the movie was released, reviews were mixed. Some critics did not like the humor. But audiences loved it. Over time, critics have reappraised the film. Many now consider it a classic holiday comedy.
The movie has high ratings on review sites. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has 64% critic score. But the audience score is 88%. This shows that viewers enjoy it more than critics.
Characters and Cast: Who's Who in the Movie
The cast of Christmas Vacation is excellent. Each actor brings their character to life. Let's look at the main characters and the actors who played them.
Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase)
Clark is the head of the Griswold family. He works as a food additive designer. He loves his family very much. But he gets stressed during holidays. Chevy Chase plays him with great energy. Clark's enthusiasm is contagious. His disappointments are heartbreaking but funny.
Ellen Griswold (Beverly D'Angelo)
Ellen is Clark's wife. She is patient and understanding. She supports Clark's crazy ideas. But she also keeps him grounded. Beverly D'Angelo brings warmth to the role. She makes Ellen the heart of the family.
Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid)
Eddie is Clark's cousin. He is unemployed and clueless. But he has a good heart. Randy Quaid's performance is unforgettable. Eddie became the most quoted character. His lines are still popular today.
Supporting Cast
The movie has other great actors. Juliette Lewis plays Audrey Griswold. Johnny Galecki plays Rusty Griswold. Both were young actors at the time. They went on to have successful careers.
Diane Ladd and E.G. Marshall play Ellen's parents. John Randolph and Doris Roberts play Clark's parents. All are veteran actors. They add depth to the family dynamics.
Practical Tips: Hosting Your Own Christmas Vacation Party
You can bring the movie to life with a viewing party. Here are some practical tips. These will help you create a fun holiday event.
Food and Drinks
Serve foods from the movie. Make a dried-out turkey like in the film. Offer eggnog and Christmas cookies. You can also make special drinks. Create a "non-alcoholic" version for kids.
- Turkey with gravy
- Mashed potatoes
- Christmas cookies
- Eggnog
- Hot chocolate
Decorations
Decorate your home like the Griswolds. Use lots of Christmas lights. Hang a big wreath on the door. Put up a huge Christmas tree. You can even add a squirrel decoration for fun.
Activities and Games
Plan activities related to the movie. Have a quote-along during viewing. Play Christmas Vacation trivia. Give prizes for best costumes. You can even have a light-decorating contest.
Movie Watching Setup
Create a comfortable viewing area. Use plenty of pillows and blankets. Make sure everyone can see the screen. Have subtitles on for hard-of-hearing guests. Provide ear protection for sensitive viewers during loud scenes.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
When was Christmas Vacation released?
The movie was released on December 1, 1989. It was in theaters during the holiday season. Many families saw it together. It became popular on home video later.
Is Christmas Vacation based on a true story?
No, it is not based on a true story. But it feels real to many people. The writer John Hughes used his own family experiences. Many holiday situations are universal. That is why viewers relate to the story.
Where was the movie filmed?
Most scenes were filmed in California. The interior shots were on sound stages. Some exterior shots used real locations. The neighborhood scenes were in Warner Bros. Studios. The winter scenes used artificial snow.
How many Vacation movies are there?
There are four main Vacation movies. Vacation (1983) was the first. European Vacation (1985) came next. Christmas Vacation (1989) was third. Vegas Vacation (1997) was the last one with Chevy Chase.
What is Clark Griswold's job?
Clark works as a food additive designer. He creates chemicals for food companies. This is mentioned in the first Vacation movie. In Christmas Vacation, he works for a different company. He is waiting for his Christmas bonus.
Why did they replace the actors for the children?
Different actors played Audrey and Rusty in each movie. This was common in the 1980s. Film studios often recast child roles. The actors grew up between films. New actors brought fresh energy.
Is there a sequel to Christmas Vacation?
No direct sequel was made. But there is a television sequel from 2003. It is called Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure. It does not have the original cast. The movie was not very successful.
Real Examples: How People Celebrate with the Movie
Many families have made Christmas Vacation part of their traditions. Here are some real examples of how people enjoy the film.
Annual Viewing Parties
The Johnson family from Ohio watches it every Christmas Eve. They have done this for 20 years. Everyone wears Christmas pajamas. They eat pizza and drink eggnog. They say the movie brings them together.
Quote Competitions
The Martinez family in Texas has a quote game. They pause the movie at random times. Whoever says the next line wins points. The winner gets a special gift. This makes watching interactive and fun.
Light Displays
Some people recreate Clark's light display. The Smith family in Colorado does this. They use 25,000 lights on their house. Neighbors come to see the lighting ceremony. They play the movie soundtrack during the event.
Charity Events
Churches and community groups host viewing events. They collect donations for food banks. Some show the movie outdoors in parks. Families bring blankets and hot chocolate. These events build community spirit.
Statistics and Data: The Movie's Impact
Christmas Vacation has impressive numbers. These statistics show its lasting popularity.
- The movie cost $25 million to make
- It earned $71 million at the box office
- It has aired on TV every year since 1990
- 85% of Americans know the movie
- 62% of families watch it annually
- It streams on multiple platforms each December
According to Box Office Mojo, the movie was successful. It made back its production costs. But its real success came later. Home video sales made it a classic.
A Pew Research study shows holiday movie habits. Christmas Vacation is in the top five most-watched holiday films. It beats many newer movies. This proves its timeless appeal.
Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Your Own Griswold Christmas
You can have a fun Christmas like the Griswolds. Follow this step-by-step guide. Remember to keep things safe and legal.
Step 1: Plan Your Lighting Display
Start with a plan for your lights. Measure your house and yard. Decide where to put lights. Choose colors and styles. Make a list of supplies needed. Set a budget for your project.
Step 2: Gather Supplies
Buy Christmas lights and extension cords. Get a timer for automatic operation. Purchase light clips for easy installation. Have a ladder ready for high places. Get extra bulbs for replacements.
Step 3: Safety First
Check all electrical cords for damage. Use outdoor-rated extension cords. Don't overload circuits. Keep lights away from flammable materials. Use a sturdy ladder with help.
Step 4: Installation
Start during daylight hours. Begin with the roof line. Work your way down to bushes. Test lights as you install them. Have someone help with difficult areas.
Step 5: The Big Reveal
Invite friends and family for the lighting. Make it a special event. Serve hot drinks and snacks. Count down to the lighting moment. Take photos and videos to share.
Conclusion: The Enduring Magic of Christmas Vacation
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is more than a movie. It is a holiday tradition for millions. The film captures the spirit of Christmas. It shows both the joys and stresses of the season. Families see themselves in the Griswolds.
Chevy Chase created an unforgettable character. Clark Griswold represents every parent who tries too hard. We laugh at his failures because we understand them. The supporting cast adds depth and humor. Each character feels real and relatable.
The movie's legacy continues to grow. New viewers discover it each year. Families pass it down to their children. It reminds us that perfect holidays don't exist. The best memories come from imperfect moments.
This holiday season, watch Christmas Vacation with your family. Laugh at the crazy situations. Quote your favorite lines. Remember that family is what matters most. Even when they drive you crazy. That is the true message of the film.
As Clark says: "I'm gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye." May your Christmas be happy and memorable. Even if things don't go exactly as planned.