Vegas Vacation (1997)

In the fourth outing for the vacation franchise, the Griswolds have to survive Vegas fever when they go to Las Vegas for a fun family vacation.

Director:

Stephen Kessler

Writers:

Elisa Bell (story), Bob Ducsay (story)

Stars:

Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chevy Chase	...	Clark Griswold
Beverly D'Angelo	...	Ellen Griswold
Randy Quaid	...	Cousin Eddie
Ethan Embry	...	Rusty Griswold
Marisol Nichols	...	Audrey Griswold
Miriam Flynn	...	Cousin Catherine
Shae D'lyn	...	Cousin Vicki
Wayne Newton	...	Wayne Newton
Siegfried Fischbacher	...	Siegfried (as Siegfried)
Roy Horn	...	Roy (as Roy)
Wallace Shawn	...	Marty
Sid Caesar	...	Old Guy
Julio Oscar Mechoso	...	Limo Driver
Sly Smith	...	Mirage Security Guard
Julia Sweeney	...	Mirage Reception Person

Storyline

When Clark Griswold puts his mind to something, we soon realize he hasn't got one. Still, nothing stops him when the vacation bug hits. This time, he's chosen Las Vegas, the new family entertainment capital of America! Chevy Chase returns as bubbly, bumbling Clark in Vegas Vacation, a jokers-are-wild laugh fest including two other stars from past Vacations. Beverly D'Angelo is back as wife Ellen, doting on the guy she calls "Sparky," and Randy Quaid again delights as grubby goof ball Cousin Eddie. Ethan Embry (That Thing You Do!) and screen-debuting Marisol Nichols are Griswold teens who love the round-the-clock nightlife - as long as they don't share it with Mom and Dad! From Seigfried and Roy's extravaganza to a Hoover Dam tour, from cruising to losing (Wallace Shawn as a shifty blackjack dealer) to amorous crooning (Wayne Newton falls for Ellen): watch Clark try to keep family and wallet together!

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Plot Keywords:

dark humor | slapstick comedy | airplane | singing in a car | reference to the beach boys | 

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Taglines:

This time the Griswolds are on a roll.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for sensuality, language and thematic elements

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 February 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

National Lampoon's Las Vegas Vacation

Filming Locations:

Mojave Desert, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,837,927, 17 February 1997

Gross USA:

$36,400,360

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$36,400,360

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Jerry Weintraub Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

As of 2015, this Vacation film has the largest age gap between the actress playing Audrey and the actor playing Rusty, by five years.

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Goofs

The family drives from their hotel, the Mirage on Las Vegas Blvd., to Cousin Eddie's trailer in Jean, which is south of Las Vegas, yet some of the shots of the family supposedly driving to Jean show the road that goes through Red Rock Canyon. You would not drive through Red Rock Canyon to get to Jean; Jean is directly south of Las Vegas, and one would simply drive south on Las Vegas Blvd. to get there. Furthermore, the drive seems to alternate between shots of Red Rock Canyon, and the actual Las Vegas Blvd. path that leads to Jean. Red Rock is west of Las Vegas proper, and one would have to go far out of their way to drive down this path. (On an unrelated note, during the "Hey, Girl" scene with Audrey in the back of the truck with Vickie, they are heading north on Las Vegas Blvd. towards The Strip; THIS is the road someone would use going between Jean and The Strip.)

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Quotes

Cousin Eddie: Come on, Clark, the night is young... they're giving away free hot sandwiches at the blood bank.

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Crazy Credits

The end credits list Sid Caesar's character as the generic title of "old man", even though the character is given a proper name, Mr. Ellis, in the film.

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Connections

Referenced in Pale Blue Balloons (2008)

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Soundtracks

Rusty's Rave
Written by Henry Shead

User Reviews

What's not to like? This movie is a classic like the first.

I've read many comments about the Vacation movies. Most people give the original "Vacation" high marks, but trash the others. I think a lot of people just like to be pick on Chevy Chase. "Vacation" is the best, but I liked the sequels and "Vegas Vacation" is my favorite of them. My kids just love to watch "Vegas Vacation". You can't pop in the DVD expecting to watch a movie that will be thought provoking or life altering. It was made to make people laugh and it accomplishes that very well. Chevy Chase and cast are very funny in this movie. The Wayne Newton bit was great. I love going to Vegas, and I love this movie. When my wife and I fly to Vegas, we always kid about going to the bathroom to join "the club" like Clark and Ellen. Numerous other things remind us of the movie when we are in Vegas, and it has made those trips even more enjoyable. Just wish Chevy would do another "Vacation" movie.