
Christmas Vacation (1989)
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (original title)Reference View | Change View
- PG-13
- 1h 37min
- Comedy
- 01 Dec 1989 (USA)
- Movie
The Griswold family's plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster.
Director:
Writer:
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
Chevy Chase | ... |
Clark Griswold
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Beverly D'Angelo | ... |
Ellen Griswold
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Juliette Lewis | ... |
Audrey Griswold
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Johnny Galecki | ... |
Rusty Griswold
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John Randolph | ... |
Clark Griswold Sr.
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Diane Ladd | ... |
Nora Griswold
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E.G. Marshall | ... |
Art Smith
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Doris Roberts | ... |
Frances Smith
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Randy Quaid | ... |
Cousin Eddie Johnson
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Miriam Flynn | ... |
Cousin Catherine Johnson
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Cody Burger | ... |
Rocky Johnson
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Ellen Latzen | ... |
Ruby Sue Johnson
(as Ellen Hamilton Latzen)
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William Hickey | ... |
Lewis
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Mae Questel | ... |
Bethany
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Sam McMurray | ... |
Bill
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Nicholas Guest | ... |
Todd Chester
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Julia Louis-Dreyfus | ... |
Margo Chester
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Nicolette Scorsese | ... |
Mary
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Keith MacKechnie | ... |
Delivery Boy
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Brian Doyle-Murray | ... |
Frank Shirley
(as Brian Doyle Murray)
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Natalija Nogulich | ... |
Mrs. Shirley
(as Natalia Nogulich)
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Tony Epper | ... |
Bozo #1
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Billy Hank Hooker | ... |
Bozo #2
(as Hank Hooker)
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Alexander Folk | ... |
Swat Officer
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Jeremy Roberts | ... |
Cop
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Woody Weaver | ... |
Cop
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Michael Kaufman | ... |
Young Executive
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Doug Llewelyn | ... |
Parade Announcer (voice)
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Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Devin Bailey | ... |
Clark (age 9) (uncredited)
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Frank Foti Jr. | ... |
SWAT Team Sargeant (uncredited)
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Traci Kochendorfer | ... |
Downtown Shopper (uncredited)
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Cathi Perez | ... |
Cosmetics Salesperson (uncredited)
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Directed by
Jeremiah S. Chechik | ... | (as Jeremiah Chechik) |
Written by
John Hughes | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
William S. Beasley | ... | associate producer |
Mauri Syd Gayton | ... | associate producer |
Daniel Grodnik | ... | executive producer (uncredited) |
John Hughes | ... | producer |
Tom Jacobson | ... | producer |
Matty Simmons | ... | executive producer |
Ramey E. Ward | ... | associate producer |
Music by
Angelo Badalamenti |
Cinematography by
Thomas E. Ackerman | ... | director of photography (as Thomas Ackerman) |
Editing by
Gerald B. Greenberg | ... | (as Jerry Greenberg) |
Michael A. Stevenson | ... | (as Michael Stevenson) |
Editorial Department
Kathryn Camp | ... | assistant film editor |
Carlyn Montes De Oca | ... | assistant film editor |
Richard Currie | ... | apprentice editor (uncredited) |
Casting By
Risa Bramon Garcia | ... | (as Risa Bramon) |
Billy Hopkins | ||
Heidi Levitt |
Production Design by
Stephen Marsh |
Art Direction by
Beala Neel | ... | (as Beala B. Neel) |
Set Decoration by
Lisa Fischer |
Costume Design by
Michael Kaplan |
Makeup Department
Lee Harman | ... | makeup artist |
Kaye Pownall | ... | hair stylist |
Stephen Robinette | ... | hair stylist (uncredited) |
Production Management
William S. Beasley | ... | unit production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Matt Earl Beesley | ... | first assistant director |
Frank Capra III | ... | second assistant director |
Bryan Denegal | ... | second second assistant director |
Vicki Jackson-Lemay | ... | second assistant director: second unit (as Vicki Lemay-Jackson) |
Eric Jewett | ... | first assistant director: second unit |
Charlie Picerni | ... | second unit director (as Charles Picerni Sr.) |
Art Department
Barbara Adamski | ... | property master |
Dawn Baillie | ... | Poster Designer |
Glen Cooper | ... | stand-by painter |
Kenneth J. Gagnon Sr. | ... | construction coordinator (as Kenneth J. Gagnon) |
David P. Newell | ... | assistant property master (as David Newell) |
Neil David Pontecorvo | ... | greensman |
Richard Dean Rankin | ... | construction coordinator (as Richard Rankin) |
John Rozman | ... | leadperson |
Clark Acton | ... | model maker (uncredited) |
Dale Gordon | ... | stage foreman (uncredited) |
Mick McGinty | ... | advance poster artwork (uncredited) |
David J. Negron Jr. | ... | illustrator (uncredited) |
Timothy W. Tiedje | ... | property master: Chicago (uncredited) |
S. Bruce Wineinger | ... | construction coordinator (uncredited) |
Sound Department
John Agalsoff Jr. | ... | cable person (as John Agalsoff) |
Greg Agalsoff | ... | boom operator (as Gregg Agalsoff) |
James R. Alexander | ... | sound mixer (as James Alexander) |
George H. Anderson | ... | sound editor (as George Anderson) |
David Baldwin | ... | sound editor |
Neal Burger | ... | sound editor (as Neal R. Burger) |
Rickley W. Dumm | ... | sound effects editor: Restoration Atmos Remix |
Joe Gilbert | ... | adr editor |
Stan Gilbert | ... | supervising adr editor |
Gary A. Hecker | ... | foley artist (as Gary Hecker) |
Dan Hegeman | ... | sound editor |
Doug Hemphill | ... | re-recording mixer (as D.M. Hemphill) |
Chris Jenkins | ... | re-recording mixer |
Larry Kemp | ... | supervising sound editor |
Lou Kleinman | ... | sound editor |
Glenn T. Morgan | ... | sound editor |
Victoria Rose Sampson | ... | sound editor (as Vickie Sampson) |
Mark Smith | ... | re-recording mixer |
Wylie Stateman | ... | supervising sound editor |
Edward M. Steidele | ... | foley artist (as Edward Steidele) |
Mark P. Stoeckinger | ... | sound editor (as Mark Stoeckinger) |
Karen Baker Landers | ... | first assistant sound editor (uncredited) |
Dino Dimuro | ... | sound effects editor (uncredited) |
Mark Lanza | ... | sound effects editor (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
Allen Hall | ... | special effects |
Gary L. Karas | ... | special effects (as Gary Karas) |
Dieter Sturm | ... | special effects snow maker: Chicago (uncredited) |
Visual Effects by
Chris Buchinsky | ... | visual effects |
Bill Hansard | ... | process projection (as Bill Hansard Sr.) |
Justin Klarenbeck | ... | special visual effects |
David McCullough | ... | special visual effects (as Dave McCullough) |
William Reilly | ... | motion control technician |
Brian Adams | ... | matte photography: Dream Quest Images (uncredited) |
Mark M. Pompian | ... | main title animation (uncredited) |
D. Kerry Prior | ... | special effects artist/storyboards: DQI (uncredited) |
Hoyt Yeatman | ... | special visual effects: DQI (uncredited) |
Stunts
Gregory J. Barnett | ... | stunts (as Greg Barnett) |
Janet Brady | ... | stunts |
William H. Burton Jr. | ... | stunts (as William H. Burton) |
Erik Cord | ... | stunts (as Eric Cord) |
Tim A. Davison | ... | stunts (as Tim Davison) |
Cheryl Wheeler Duncan | ... | stunts (as Cheryl Wheeler-Dixon) |
Annie Ellis | ... | stunts |
Jeannie Epper | ... | stunts |
Sandra Lee Gimpel | ... | stunts (as Sandy Gimpel) |
Harold Jones | ... | stunts |
Steve Kelso | ... | stunts |
Bill McIntosh | ... | stunts (as Bill MacIntosh) |
John Meier | ... | stunts (as John C. Meier) |
Noon Orsatti | ... | stunts |
Charlie Picerni | ... | stunt coordinator |
Steve Picerni | ... | stunts |
Chad Randall | ... | stunts |
John Robotham | ... | stunts |
Philip Romano | ... | stunts (as Phil Romano) |
Sammy Thurman | ... | stunts |
Scott Wilder | ... | stunts |
Dick Ziker | ... | stunts |
Kenny Bates | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Leslie Hoffman | ... | stunt double: Doris Roberts (uncredited) |
Tommy J. Huff | ... | truck stunts (uncredited) |
Jason White | ... | stunt performer (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
Mike Amorelli | ... | assistant chief lighting technician (as Michael Amorelli) |
Craig Asato | ... | second assistant camera: second unit |
Charles John Bukey | ... | best boy grip (as Charles J. Bukey) |
Richmond G. Cogswell | ... | video assist (as Rich Cogswell) |
Eric Engler | ... | director of photography: second unit |
Kevin Kelley | ... | chief lighting technician: second unit (as Kevin Kelly) |
Douglas Knapp | ... | camera operator (as Doug Knapp) |
David L. Parrish | ... | first assistant camera (as David Parrish) |
Ron Phillips | ... | still photographer |
Ted Rhodes | ... | key grip |
Scott M. Robinson | ... | key grip: second unit (as Scott Robinson) |
Bill Silic | ... | chief lighting technician (as William M. Silic) / gaffer (as William M. Silic) |
Tama Takahashi | ... | first assistant camera: second unit |
John Wagner | ... | second assistant camera |
Kurt Young | ... | dolly grip |
Kirk Bales | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
William Coss | ... | 1st Assistant: 2nd Unit (uncredited) |
Albert Hood | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
Ron Kunecke | ... | musco light operator (uncredited) |
Ann Lukacs | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
Randy Nolen | ... | steadicam operator (uncredited) |
Animation Department
Ralph Eggleston | ... | animator: main title sequence (uncredited) / art director: main title sequence (uncredited) |
Tony Fucile | ... | animator: main title sequence (uncredited) |
Bill Kroyer | ... | animation director: main title sequence (uncredited) / animator: main title animation (uncredited) |
Susan Kroyer | ... | animator: main title sequence (uncredited) / assistant art director: main title sequence (uncredited) |
Mark M. Pompian | ... | animator: main title sequence (uncredited) |
Bob Scott | ... | animator: main title sequence (uncredited) |
Dennis Venizelos | ... | animator: main title sequence (uncredited) |
Dave Woodman | ... | assistant animator: main title animation (uncredited) |
Casting Department
Juel Bestrop | ... | casting assistant |
Franklyn Warren | ... | extras casting (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Mari Grimaud | ... | costume supervisor: women |
Eddie Marks | ... | costume supervisor: men |
Cheryl Beasley Blackwell | ... | set costumer (uncredited) |
Location Management
Thomas J. Busch | ... | location manager (as Tom Busch) |
Stephen Andrzejewski | ... | assistant location manager (uncredited) |
Robert C. Decker | ... | location manager (uncredited) |
Music Department
Angelo Badalamenti | ... | orchestrator |
Andrew Barrett | ... | orchestrator (as Andy Barrett) |
Robert Fernandez | ... | score mixer |
Linda Harmon | ... | vocalist |
Jim Harrison | ... | music editor |
Ron Payne | ... | music supervisor |
Charles Samek | ... | orchestrator |
Gary Wasserman | ... | assistant music editor |
Tom Boyd | ... | musician: oboe soloist (uncredited) |
Jeff Bunnell | ... | musician: trumpet (uncredited) |
George Doering | ... | musician (uncredited) |
Scottie Haskell | ... | score vocalist (uncredited) |
Tommy Johnson | ... | musician: tuba (uncredited) |
Franklin Jones Jr. | ... | score mixer (uncredited) |
Norman Ludwin | ... | musician: bass (uncredited) |
Malcolm McNab | ... | musician: trumpet soloist (uncredited) |
Sally Stevens | ... | singer (uncredited) |
James Thatcher | ... | musician: French horn (uncredited) |
Louise Di Tullio | ... | musician: flute (uncredited) |
Michael Waldrop | ... | drummer (uncredited) |
Shirley Walker | ... | conductor (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
Marcia 'Mavis' Girard | ... | script supervisor (as Mavis Girard) |
Transportation Department
Dan Marrow | ... | transportation coordinator |
Gaston Veilleux | ... | transportation captain |
Robert E Dingle | ... | driver (uncredited) |
Robert Bruce Robertson | ... | driver (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
Ellen Adolph | ... | production accountant |
Katherine E. Beyda | ... | assistant: Tom Jacobson |
Kim Bodner | ... | production aide |
Lisa Boss | ... | production aide |
Chris Ciaffa | ... | production aide |
Craig Dietrich | ... | production aide |
Scott E. Hart | ... | animal handler (as Scott Hart) |
Chris Hilsabeck | ... | production aide |
Christie Johnston | ... | production associate |
Eileen Peterson | ... | unit publicist |
Shirley Randles | ... | craft service |
Angel Trujillo | ... | caterer (as Angel Trujello) |
Kirsten Welles | ... | assistant: Jeremiah Chechik |
Ralph Eggleston | ... | title designer (uncredited) |
John Hughes | ... | based on: the National Lampoon magazine article "Christmas '58" by (uncredited) |
Garry Moore | ... | assistant (uncredited) |
Carré Otis | ... | photographic model (uncredited) |
Joe Santo | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
Mark Valenti | ... | assistant (uncredited) |
Jane Vickerilla | ... | assistant to Mr. Hughes (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Warner Bros. (1989) (United States) (theatrical) (as Warner Bros. Pictures, A Warner Communications Company)
- Roadshow Films (1989) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1990) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1990) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Argentina Video Home (1990) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Fazer Musiikki Oy/Fazer Video (1990) (Finland) (VHS)
- Warner Bros. (1990) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1990) (Norway) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1990) (United States) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1991) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1992) (United States) (tv)
- ITV 1 (1993) (United Kingdom) (tv)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1995) (Finland) (tv)
- Warner Home Video (1997) (United States) (DVD)
- MTV3 (1998) (Finland) (tv)
- Warner Home Video (1998) (United Kingdom) (video)
- Warner Home Video (1998) (United States) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1999) (Netherlands) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1999) (Norway) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1999) (United States) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (1999) (United States) (VHS)
- Varus Video (Russia) (VHS)
- Argentina Video Home (2001) (Argentina) (DVD)
- Argentina Video Home (2001) (Argentina) (VHS) (re-edited)
- Warner Bros. (2001) (Argentina) (re-release)
- Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2003) (Finland) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2003) (Germany) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2003) (United States) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2006) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Warner Home Video (2006) (United States) (DVD) (HD-DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2007) (Finland) (DVD) (4-disc The Vacation Collection)
- Warner Home Video (2008) (United States) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2015) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD) (Digital HD)
- Net5 (2016) (Netherlands) (tv)
- SBS6 (2016) (Netherlands) (tv)
- Veronica (2016) (Netherlands) (tv)
- Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (2017) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (2017) (United States) (DVD)
- Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (2017) (United States) (Ultra HD Blu-ray)
- HBO Max (2020) (United States) (video) (VOD)
- Studio Distribution Services (SDS) (2022) (United States) (Blu-ray) (through)
- Studio Distribution Services (SDS) (2022) (United States) (DVD) (through)
- Studio Distribution Services (SDS) (2022) (United States) (Ultra HD Blu-ray) (through)
- Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (2022) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (2022) (United States) (DVD)
- Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (2022) (United States) (Ultra HD Blu-ray)
- American Movie Classics (AMC) (2024) (United States) (tv)
- BBC America (2024) (United States) (tv)
- Nine Network Australia (2024) (Australia) (tv)
- TNT (2024) (United States) (tv)
- United Paramount Network (UPN) (1995) (United States) (tv)
Special Effects
- Dream Quest Images (special visual effects)
- Sturm's Special Effects International (snow making)
Other Companies
- Kroyer Films (main title animation)
- Pacific Title (end titles and opticals)
- D. Bassett & Associates (negative cutting)
- The Town of Breckenridge, Colorado (special thanks)
- Panavision (camera equipment: lenses and Panaflex® camera)
- Technicolor (color)
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) (this picture made under the jurisdiction of)
- Central Casting (extras casting)
Storyline
Plot Summary |
It's Christmas time and the Griswolds are preparing a big family celebration, but things never run smoothly for Clark, his wife Ellen and their two kids. Clark's perennial bad luck is aggravated by his obnoxious family guests, but he manages to keep going knowing that his Christmas bonus is due soon. Written by Rob Hartill / edited by Hans Delbruck |
Plot Keywords | |
Taglines | Now That You've Survived The Holidays You Deserve A Vacation. See more » |
Genres | |
Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
Certification |
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Additional Details
Also Known As |
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Filming Locations |
Box Office
Budget | $28,000,000 (estimated) |
Opening Weekend United States | $11,700,000, 03 Dec 1989 |
Did You Know?
Trivia | Final film of Mae Questel, whose film career began in 1930 as the voice of Betty Boop. See more » |
Goofs | As Snots the dog is chasing the squirrel through the house, they run over the top of the dining table. The food, plates, and silverware get scattered. A moment later, Clark is walking past the hallway leading to the kitchen with the table visible in the background. The tablecloth and setting are completely undisturbed. See more » |
Movie Connections | Featured in Back to the Future Part II/All Dogs Go to Heaven/Henry V/Prancer/Sidewalk Stories (1989). See more » |
Soundtracks | Christmas Vacation See more » |
Crazy Credits | The opening credits feature a cartoon of Santa delivering the Griswold family's Christmas presents while also getting electrocuted, hit by bricks, setting his pants on fire, falling into the snow and being chased by a rolling snowman head See more » |
Quotes |
Clark:
Hey! If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I'd like Frank Shirley, my boss, right here tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people, and I want him brought right here! With a big ribbon on his head! And I want to look him straight in the eye, and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, fat-ass, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey shit he is! Hallelujah! Holy shit! Where's the Tylenol? See more » |