National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

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

Director:

Jeremiah S. Chechik (as Jeremiah Chechik)

Writer:

John Hughes

Stars:

Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Juliette Lewis

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chevy Chase	...	Clark
Beverly D'Angelo	...	Ellen
Juliette Lewis	...	Audrey
Johnny Galecki	...	Rusty
John Randolph	...	Clark, Sr.
Diane Ladd	...	Nora
E.G. Marshall	...	Art
Doris Roberts	...	Francis
Randy Quaid	...	Cousin Eddie Johnson
Miriam Flynn	...	Cousin Catherine Johnson
Cody Burger	...	Rocky
Ellen Latzen	...	Ruby Sue (as Ellen Hamilton Latzen)
William Hickey	...	Lewis
Mae Questel	...	Bethany
Sam McMurray	...	Bill

Storyline

It's Christmas time and the Griswolds are preparing for a family seasonal celebration, but things never run smoothly for Clark, his wife Ellen and their two kids. Clark's continual bad luck is worsened by his obnoxious family guests, but he manages to keep going knowing that his Christmas bonus is due soon.

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Plot Keywords:

pantyhose | christmas | cat | sequel | holiday | 

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Taglines:

There's No Place Like Home For A Holiday!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

13+

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Clark was going to look out the vent in the attic as the family was getting in the car, a plaque with Yellowstone Park was seen just above the attic vent. The Griswold's visited Yellowstone on their way out to Walley World in "National Lampoon's Vacation" (1983).

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Goofs

Just before the sledding scene, the hill in front of the family is very rough, with large mounds of snow, but when Clark does down the hill, it has become very smooth.

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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, ...

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Crazy Credits

"THE END" is lit up in Christmas lights. One of the bulbs pops, making the lit up "THE END" go dark.

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Alternate Versions

The UK PG Blu Ray version has the uncut Danny Kaye line.

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Connections

Referenced in The Santa Con (2014)

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Soundtracks

The Star-Spangled Banner
(uncredited)
Lyrics by Francis Scott Key
Music by John Stafford Smith
Performed by the Griswolds

User Reviews

Funny, Funny, Funny

This is the one Christmas movie that I don't anyone can ever get tired of. Chevy Chase returns in the third installment of the Vacation series as Clarke W. Griswold as he tries desperately to maintain his sanity during the holidays with all of his relatives coming to stay under his roof and enduring all the mishaps along the way.

This is the funniest film in the series plain and simple. Chevy Chase has never been better. Christmas Vacation is filled with countless jokes and gags that it's impossible not to laugh.

10/10

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 December 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le sapin a des boules

Filming Locations:

Mattison Boyd Jones House - 727 West Kenneth Road, Glendale, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$27,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,750,203, 3 December 1989

Gross USA:

$73,576,146

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$73,594,646

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Hughes Entertainment, National Lampoon

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1