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 | family comedy | christmas gathering | sexy woman | 

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Taglines:

Yule crack up!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Eddie and Clark are in the grocery store, the only thing Eddie puts in the cart is different brands of dog food.

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Goofs

When Clark gets the attention of everyone at the dinner table and asks Bethany to say grace, Clark's mom picks up a glass of wine and holds it in her right hand. When the camera angle changes, her hands are suddenly empty and she picks up the wine glass with her right hand again.

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Quotes

Audrey: Would it be indecent to ask the grandparents to stay at a hotel?

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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

Hey, Santa Claus
Written by Harvey Fuqua
Performed by The Moonglows
Courtesy of MCA Records

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:

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

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:

$72,705,146

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$72,705,146

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