30 Behind the Scenes Facts From 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'

Who doesn’t love a good story time before bed? Children enjoy being read a bedtime story right before closing their eyes, and adults do the same thing, but instead, they read fiction and fantasy novels. Now, have you heard of a short story called “Christmas ‘59?’” According to thewoodword.org, the short story written by John Hughes is what the film is adapted from. It follows a family who suffers from chaos at the most unfortunate times during Christmas, just like the Griswolds.

Did you find yourself getting deja vu when watching Christmas Vacation? When you saw the Griswold’s house, did you start to get flashes of nostalgia or familiarity, particularly of a witchy character? If so, you were likely remembering the house in the classic show Bewitched. That’s right, Clark Griswold’s home is the same one Samantha Stevens used.

The film was written and co-produced by John Hughes, whose name you may recognize from Home Alone and The Breakfast Club. He has a lot of prestige to his name, but the man wasn’t too eager regarding sequels. You can’t blame him, though, because an adequate number of sequels made for hit movies don’t typically turn out well.

Today, Christmas movies are made and released like the world forgets it’s Christmas time and needs a reminder, but the same fervor for Christmas films can’t be said for the year 1989. On the cusp of the ‘90s, only two holiday films were released: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Prancer.

Since the film is about spending time with family, despite unfortunate and unexplainable chaos, the Griswold children are a key part of the movie’s appeal. Audrey and Rusty Griswold are siblings who express their shared annoyance at their parents' attempt to bond with their loved ones and to excessively decorate for the holiday.

Probably one of the most shocking facts behind the film is that it shares meaning with the feel-good oldie It’s A Wonderful Life. Remember the chainsaw scene in Christmas Vacation? Not the one where Clark Griswold wears a hockey mask and looks eerily similar to Jason Vorhees. The other chainsaw scene with the wobbly newel post.

The cast for the Christmas comedy film was stacked with one impressive name after another. Before the Vacation films, you may know Chevy Chase from SNL, who showcased his impressive deadpan comedy and coined the line, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night.” Then you have the infamous Beverly D’Angelo, who’s made a name for herself beyond Ellen Griswold: you may know her as Doris Vineyard in American History X or Patsy Cline in Coal Miner’s Daughter.

Stanley Kubrick, known for his meticulous craftsmanship and mastery of dark, thought-provoking films, indirectly inspired National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation through his unique approach to cinema. While Kubrick's works, such as A Clockwork Orange and The Shining, are far removed from holiday comedies, his influence on filmmakers stretched across genres.

When director Jeremiah Chechik signed on to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, he was essentially stepping into unknown territory. In fact, Chechik had no prior experience with the previous Vacation films, including the iconic National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) or its sequel European Vacation (1985). This lack of familiarity with the franchise could have been a problem, but Chechik embraced it with his flare.

The film’s success could be said to come from the impressive cast or the director’s interesting comedic techniques. But is it too superficial to say it comes from the budget? A large budget is always great for a film, regardless of genre. The possibilities are endless!

Film Critics are crucial for a film’s success and views. Despite Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation receiving decent ratings, known film critic Roger Ebert didn’t particularly enjoy the movie. According to RogerEbert.com, the actors are great, but the “rhythm and pacing of the movie don’t help them much.” To add to his dislikes, Ebert continues by stating his disappointment with the film’s lack of depth with the in-laws and the aunt and uncle.

Despite being part of a series known for its misadventures, Christmas Vacation was the only installment that truly resonated with audiences, earning a beloved place in holiday film history. The Griswold family’s Christmas disaster was so iconic that it made sense to revisit them in Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure, but this time, they were bathing in the sunlight of the South Pacific.

One thing about the Vacation films is that the kids, Audrey and Rusty Griswold, have different actors portraying them in every film. Rusty has a baby face, short stature, and brown hair in one film. Then, in the next movie, he’s taller, skinnier, and blonde. When Juliette Lewis played Audrey, the character had large curly hair and a no-nonsense vibe, but then in Christmas Vacation 2, she loses that voluminous hair and, instead, has pin-straight locks with a much taller build.

Cousin Eddie is one of the most memorable aspects of Christmas Vacation. The iconic hillbilly character has left a mark on the media. Cousin Eddie is a great costume idea for Halloween, and he’s perfect for an inside family joke. The character also has some relatability; we’re sure some unfortunate souls can relate to Clark and his dejection toward his redneck cousin.

If the thought of having a Cousin Eddie in your life terrifies you, the sentence above will send you running. Apparently, to everyone’s horror, Cousin Eddie was inspired by a real person. That’s right: someone saw a hillbilly man, perhaps named Eddie, standing outside their home with only a robe on and taking out the toilet.

If you’ve been needing a dickie in your wardrobe or have been struggling to find a Christmas gift for a male friend or family member, fret not because I have the solution for you! You can purchase your own dickie like Eddie’s on the internet. When you need something new or a different vibe to your wardrobe, buy a dickie like Cousin Eddie’s, and you’ll be sure to turn heads.

Remember Rocky? Eddie’s son? If not, don’t feel bad because the kid doesn’t have one line of dialogue. Unfortunate for the child actor, since he couldn’t make his big acting debut. However, the choice to have Rocky mute in the movie could be intentional. Perhaps it’s a way to characterize Eddie’s son, Rocky, who is shy, quiet, and not prone to talk even to family.

If you know Mae Questel, you may or may not know she voiced the iconic character Betty Boop. Go back and watch Christmas Vacation and tell me if you hear it now that you know this tidbit of information. It’s so clear, right? Her voice is so tranquil, whimsy, and high-pitched that you can hear Betty Boop as if she were there.

We have another renowned voice actor in our midst! Miriam Flynn has dipped her toes into the realm of Looney Tunes. She voiced the character Jean Tazmanian Devil, the loving and hard-working mother of Taz, Molly, and Jake. Not that much different to her character in Christmas Vacation: Cousin Catherine is a loving mother who tries hard to create a delicious Christmas dinner. Well, you know, besides drying the turkey out like the Sahara Desert.

Aunt Bethany and Uncle Louis’s arrival in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is one of the most unforgettable moments in the film—mostly because it literally shakes the house. As they arrive in their elderly, somewhat senile glory, Aunt Bethany’s surprise entrance sets the tone for their chaotic presence.

In England, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation took a rather unconventional route to audiences, being released directly to video rather than having a traditional theatrical release. This was somewhat of a surprise, considering the film’s success in the United States, where it immediately became a holiday favorite.

If you’ve seen the Vacation films before the Griswold’s Christmas chaos, you should recognize the “Holiday Road” song made specifically for the film franchise. It was composed and recorded by Lindsey Buckingham and has made an appearance in the 1983 Vacation movie, along with the European and Vegas sequels.

Scores are great ways to depict a film's emotional weight and tone. Angelo Badalamenti was great at doing exactly that with his harmonious talent. If you’ve seen Blue Velvet, The Straight Story, or Mulholland Drive, then your ears have witnessed the wonderful composers' musical grace.

Randy Quaid, best known for his role as the outlandish Cousin Eddie in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, has an interesting family connection that might surprise some: he is a third cousin of the legendary Western star and holiday singer Gene Autry. While the two have vastly different careers, both shared a flair for entertainment—Autry as the "Singing Cowboy" and Christmas icon, and Quaid as the wild, unpredictable character actor.

The chaotic comedy begins in the magical and wintry environment of Breckenridge, Colorado. When the Griswold family is searching for an authentic Christmas tree, you may have recognized the alabaster white landscape. The inches of snow the Griswolds were walking in just to find the perfect tree should have been a blaring giveaway to the historic town they were in.

The Griswold parents and daughter had a delightful reunion in 2012. Old Navy was selling an item called “pop pants,” and in the commercial, the actors embodied their roles once more. The commercial highlights the infamous scene where Clark tries to show everyone the beauty of his work with the Christmas lights, and a game of back-and-forth ensues.

Rusty and Clark Griswold had a meaningful and heartfelt relationship in the film – Rusty reluctantly supported his father’s Christmas wish for a jolly holiday with family. He endured long hours of decorating the Griswold home with countless Christmas lights and decorations, so their father-son dynamic is important to the theme of the film.

Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo were both eager to return to their iconic roles as Clark and Ellen Griswold. After the success of the first two Vacation films, the duo was excited to reunite for another misadventure with the Griswold family. Both actors had a great time working together and were enthusiastic about bringing the chaos of a Christmas holiday to the big screen.

If you were just like Chase and D’Angelo and shared their eagerness for another sequel, you would be pleased to learn about the next Vacation film, Vegas Vacation. The Griswolds embark on a family trip to Las Vegas, where each member is set on their own misadventures.

Many of the actors in Christmas Vacation have comedy and improv backgrounds, so it’s no surprise several lines in the movie were improvised. One of these fun improvisations was Clark’s rant about his boss. The insults flew off Chevy Chase’s tongue, and you could feel his rage as if it were your own.