Xmas or Bust: The Untold Story of 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'

Rolling Stone ^ | 22 dec 14 | Rob Ledonne

[Drew68]

It started as a continuation of the misadventures of the Griswold family; it ended up becoming one of the most surprisingly popular and oft-quoted holiday movies of all time. This month marks the 25th anniversary of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, in which beleaguered patriarch Clark Griswold — played by the inimitable Chevy Chase — tries to engineer the picture-perfect seasonal festivities: the best naturally procured tree, the biggest and brightest (literally) Christmas-light display on the block, the end-of-the-year bonus from his Scrooge-like boss. It's the only comedy to appeal to those who live for that deck-the-halls spirit, viewers who are dyed-in-the-wool Grinches ("Well, I don't know what to say, except it's Christmas and we're all in misery") and folks who appreciate the genius of Randy Quaid in his underwear, exclaiming "Shitter's full!"

In honor of the film's quarter-of-a-century milestone, we've asked the cast and creators to weigh in on the seasonal classic. From the intricate planning behind the film’s zany antics to freak snowstorms and cast freak-outs, this is the untold, no-holds-barred story of Christmas Vacation.

snip...

[GunRunner]

There are only 4 good Christmas movies: Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, Home Alone, and Christmas Vacation at number 1.

[Drew68]

Johnny Galecki while not particularly a stand out in the role of Rusty in Christmas Vacation has probably had the most commercial success post “Vacation”.

Anthony Michael Hall, the original Rusty, had a pretty successful career throughout the 80s-90s. Juliette Lewis, Audrey Griswold in "Christmas Vacation" would earn an Oscar nomination two years later for "Cape Fear" and enjoy a great deal of success throughout the 1990s.

Another Griswold who went on to greater fame was Cousin Eddie's daughter, Cousin Vicki from the first movie, played by Jane Krakowski, who would go on to receive multiple Emmy nominations for her role on 30 Rock.

[mountn man]

Eddie: You surprised to see us, Clark?
Clark: Oh, Eddie... If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn't be more surprised than I am now.

Clark: Since this is Aunt Bethany's 80th Christmas, I think she should lead us in the saying of Grace.
Aunt Bethany: [turns to Lewis] What, dear?
Nora Griswold: Grace!
Aunt Bethany: Grace? She passed away thirty years ago.
Uncle Lewis: They want you to say Grace.
[Bethany shakes her head in confusion]
Uncle Lewis: The BLESSING!
Aunt Bethany: [they all pose for prayer] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands/ One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Clark: Amen.

Eddie: She falls down a well, her eyes go cross. She gets kicked by a mule. They go back. I don't know.

Eddie: Don't go puttin' none of that stuff on my sled, Clark. You know that metal plate in my head? I had to have it replaced, cause every time Catherine revved up the microwave I'd piss my pants and forget who I was for a half hour or so. So over at the VA they had to replace it with plastic. It ain't as strong so I don't know if I should go sailin down no hill with nothing between the ground and my brains but a piece of government plastic.
Clark: You really think it matters, Eddie?

Aunt Bethany: What's that sound? You hear it? It's a funny squeaky sound.
Uncle Lewis: You couldn't hear a dump truck driving through a nitroglycerin plant.

Clark: Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?
Eddie: Naw, I'm doing just fine, Clark.

[as an entourage of suits - lead by Clark's boss - passes by single file]
Clark: Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, kiss my ass. Kiss his ass. Kiss your ass. Happy Hanukkah.

Audrey: Do you sleep with your brother? Do you know how sick and twisted that is?
Ellen: Well, I'm sleeping with your father. Don't be so dramatic.

Eddie: If only I had that money Catherine and I gave to that TV preacher who was screwin' that hockey player.
Clark: What about the kids?
Eddie: His kids can fend for themselves.

Clark: 'Tis the season to be merry.
Mary: That's my name.
Clark: No shit.

Clark Sr.: SQUIRREL!

Mary: Can I take something out for you?
Clark: Oh, I was just smelling - smiling. I was just blouse - browsing. I, uh, heh heh. Well, I guess it just wouldn't... Oh hee hee, it wouldn't be the Christmas shopping season if the stores were any less hooter than they - HOTTER than they are. Whew. It is warm in here, isn't it?
Mary: You have your coat on.
Clark: Yes, oh do I? Yeah, it is a bit nipply out. I mean nippy. What am I saying, nipple?

[Larry Lucido]

I think the boss was the “Bubble Boy’s” dad.

[Larry Lucido]

Funny Farm with Chevy Chase is also good, and Die Hard II isn’t bad, but not as good as the first.

[rabidralph]

I never saw this movie.

[mountn man]

Home Alone 2

(Forget Home Alone 3-Useless)

It's A Wonderful Life (Nostalgic purposes)

The Santa Claus 1+2

[mountn man]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOXQTr_3IVw

[mountn man]

I never saw this movie.

Do you live in a cave???

Go out and rent it.

(While you're at it, get Home Alone 1 and 2...You'll laugh all night long)

[Envisioning]

Somehow, it just ain’t Christmas till I watch Lethal Weapon and hear Jingle Bell Rock.

[NCC-1701]

This is a true story.

Five years ago, a squirrel got in my house somehow and I chased it around a while. We had our Christmas tree up and he ran up in it. And to try Christmas Vacation form, he did jump out just like in the movie. I laughed at the ironic connection. Anyway, the squirrel got out of the house and I never saw it again. So every year, a squirrel ornament adorns the tree in his honor. The whole thing was funny.

[CARDINALRULES]

I keep catching parts of the movie since they air it so much on different stations. It’s my favorite Christmas movie.

I also like the Home Alone series, The Santa Clause series, Scrooged, and all those Rankin/Bass animated cartoons.

—
Should have known the other night I was getting sick when I had to turn the channel on the Jello part at the table.

[mountn man]

https://www.google.com/#q=christmas+vacation+squirrel+ornament&tbm=shop&spd=0

[CARDINALRULES]

Someone owns the RV and has it fixed up to look just like in the movie. It has been on one of the RV shows on Travel channel.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Jane Krakowski...i’ve had a crush on her since we were both kids.

[dfwgator]

Cousin Vicki: I'm going steady, and I French kiss.
Audrey Griswold: So? Everybody does that.
Cousin Vicki: Yeah, but Daddy says I'm the best at it.

[Catsrus]

I have never found Chevy Chase to be funny, and have never once laughed at anything he has ever done. His comedy seems so staged and fake. Just my opinion.

[Intolerant in NJ]

"My cousin here, whose heart is bigger than his brain"
"I appreciate that, Clark"......

[Robwin]

oh, geez, lighten up.

No, you wake up. Hollywood constantly paints the successful as greedy and unfeeling. This movie at its end pushed that same tired theme. Moreover the moral philosophy being taught was that "the ends justify the means", an abhorrent concept whether in a comedy you like or anywhere else in popular culture.

[OldMissileer]

Classic stuff.

This thread made me pull out the DVD and watch it this evening. My wife was shaking her head because I was laughing so hard.