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

One of the last films in which the famed Sands Hotel and Casino (home of Frank Sinatra and "the Rat Pack") is seen. Filmed during the busy tourist season in June 1996 the Sands can be seen as the Griswalds limousine travels up the strip and pulls up to The Mirage ( the two hotels were across Las Vegas Blvd from each other). June 1996 was the hotels last month of operation and it was imploded in November of the same year.

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Goofs

At the buffet with Eddie and his litter,Clark and Eddie are at the buffet line when the pompous cook can be seen swapping the signs while he is talking and again when the camera pushes in on the yellow and blue goop.

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Quotes

Hoover Dam Guide: Welcome everyone. I am your dam guide, Arnie. Now I'm about to take you through a fully funtional power plant, so please, no one wander off the dam tour and please take all the dam pictures you want. Now are there any dam questions?
Cousin Eddie: Yeah, where can I get some damn bait?

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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 Cine Terapia: Cine Terapia - Axel Kuschevatzky (2017)

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Soundtracks

Holiday Road
Written and Performed by Lindsey Buckingham
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records/Mercury Records Limited
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products
By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

Have to admit after 20th viewing that it is good

I saw this movie when it was first released in the theatres, and thought it was one of the worst films ever made. Since then, whenever this movie comes on TV, I cannot turn it off. What was once like watching a car wreck has become an enjoyable viewing experience that is a very funny experience. Still can't figure out how the daughter grew up Latina but Marisol Nichols is so cute, who cares? Sinatra imitator very funny, as is the seemingly five minutes of silence they hold on the Quaid/Newton bit. Also funny, the server in the buffet "oh you're right, this is chicken WANT SOME!" and Chevy Chase butt-ugly costume.