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, 16 February 1997, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$36,429,528, 1 June 1997

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

Wallace Shawn (Marty) was trained to be a Black Jack Dealer from (his Princess Bride Co-Star) Andre the Giant's sister.

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Goofs

The extra (wearing a striped shirt) behind the limo driver at the airport is not using coins while supposedly playing the slot machine (he is, apparently, an unauthorized extra that snuck onto the set).

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Quotes

Clark Griswold: *Ellen switches off the TV* Hard six coming out.
Ellen Griswold: What?
Clark Griswold: Hit me. *Ellen slaps him in the dark*
Clark Griswold: Ow.

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits are played over Clark driving home from work, happily singing along to a Beach Boys tune, driving very carelessly.

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Connections

Referenced in Midnight Screenings: Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation/Vacation (2015)

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Soundtracks

The Way You Look Tonight
Written by Dorothy Fields and Jerome Kern
Performed by Gary Le Mel (as Gary LeMel)
Courtesy of Blue Note Records
A division of Capitol Records, Inc.
Under license from EMI-Capitol Special Markets

User Reviews

Gets the number three spot

Well, Clark Griswold has so far botched a road trip, a European vacation and (most memorably) a Christmas vacation; so why does he continue to make his family go through hell on his endless quest for a fun vacation? That's easy; it's pretty enjoyable for us to watch :)

"Vegas Vacation" sits comfortably as the third most enjoyable film in the series; surpassing "European Vacation" but not as enjoyable as "Vacation" or "Christmas Vacation". It's pretty far reaching at times but there are solid moments here; such as Clark damn near destroying a damn and getting crazy (as only Clark Griswold can) playing cards and losing everything.

The Wayne Newton gag soon grows tiresome and everything concerning Audrey and Russ pretty much stinks but Randy Quaid delivers once again as obnoxious Cousin Eddie and Chase hasn't lost his touch as the world's most annoying (yet somehow oddly endearing) family dad.