Christmas Vacation (1989)

Director:

Jeremiah S. Chechik

Writer (WGA):

John Hughes (written by)

Release Date:

1 December 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Yule crack up!

Plot:

The Griswold family's plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster.

Plot Keywords:

Christmas | Christmas Bonus | Boss | Neighbor | Toboggan

US TV Schedule:

Wed. Feb. 10	9:00 PM	CMTV
Wed. Feb. 10	11:00 PM	CMTV

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Chevy Chase	...	Clark Griswold
Beverly D'Angelo	...	Ellen Griswold
Juliette Lewis	...	Audrey Griswold
Johnny Galecki	...	Russell 'Rusty' Griswold
John Randolph	...	Clark Wilhelm Griswold, Sr.
Diane Ladd	...	Nora Griswold
E.G. Marshall	...	Art Smith
Doris Roberts	...	Frances Smith
Randy Quaid	...	Cousin Eddie Johnson
Miriam Flynn	...	Cousin Catherine Johnson
Cody Burger	...	Cousin Rocky Johnson
Ellen Hamilton Latzen	...	Cousin Ruby Sue Johnson
William Hickey	...	Uncle Lewis
Mae Questel	...	Aunt Bethany
Sam McMurray	...	Bill

Also Known As:

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (UK) (complete title) (USA) (complete title)
National Lampoon's Winter Holiday (UK)

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Finland:K-3 (2003) (DVD) | Finland:K-7 (2007) (DVD) (as part of Vacation Collection) | Finland:S (1990) (VHS) | Netherlands:6 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Spain:7 | Sweden:7 | UK:PG (cut) | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:6 | Singapore:PG | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Breckenridge, Colorado, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

The scene where the cat bites on the Christmas lights cord and gets electrocuted was nearly cut from the movie. Prior to the first test screening. the studio execs wanted the scene taken out, fearing that it might offend some viewers, but producer Matty Simmons begged them to leave the scene in, and they eventually gave in to his request. After the first test screening, the test audience had scored the cat electrocution scene as the No. 1 favorite scene throughout the entire movie.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Clark says he has 25,000 lights on his house. These are the old-fashioned bulbs that draw 7 watts each; thus, Clark would be drawing 175,000 watts of power, or 175 kilowatt-hours (kW-h) continuous draw, far more than can be delivered to a single-family dwelling using the U.S. standard 120-volt electrical system. Therefore, Clark's main breaker would have instantly tripped the second he would have plugged in all the lights at once, not counting the lights on his Christmas tree and everything else electrical in his house.

Quotes:

Ellen: Oh Aunt Bethany, you shouldn't have done that.
Aunt Bethany: Oh dear, did I break wind?
Uncle Lewis: Jesus, did the room clear out, Bethany? Hell no, she means presents. You shouldn't have brought presents.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Christmas Movie Quiz (2007) (VG)

Soundtrack:

Mele Kalikimaka

I cried from laughter!

Since the holidays are approaching, I feel I should comment on this Christmas classic. Chevy Chase is hilarious once again as Clark, and this is the funniest Vacation next to the original when they go to Wally World. Some of the funniest lines too: "Gonna burn some dust here, eat my rubber." "It is a bit nipply out, I mean nippy out!". A Christmas movie to own , and if you don't, worthy of a rent at the holidays. Randy Quaid has some great moments as Eddie, and don't miss Chase's run down the hill in the sled!