National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation managed to make a great sequel, becoming an instant holiday favorite and one of the highest-grossing films in the franchise. The film is based on John Hughes’ script, which was originally a short story he wrote for Lampoon called ‘Christmas ’59.’ It was directed by Jeremiah Chechik, who made his feature directorial debut despite never having watched the first two films in the franchise. The movie went on to gross over $72 million and became a modern Christmas classic.
Secrets About Christmas Vacation
The Making of a Holiday Classic
The National Lampoon’s Vacation series has been a staple of holiday entertainment for decades, but there are many secrets about the making of one of its most iconic films, Christmas Vacation. Here are 18 secrets that might surprise you:
- John Hughes’ Script Origin
John Hughes’ script for Christmas Vacation is based on a short story he wrote for Lampoon called “Christmas ’59.” It’s the last screenplay the late filmmaker wrote for the franchise.
- A Familiar House
The house used as the Griswolds’ neighbors’ home on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank is the same one used for the Murdoch home in Lethal Weapon.
- Director Change
Chris Columbus was originally set to direct, but he ultimately passed on the project after meeting with Chevy Chase. “It was fraught with pain and tension with Chevy Chase, but I needed the job desperately,” Columbus told Insider.
- Jeremiah Chechik’s Debut
Jeremiah Chechik went on to land the job, making his feature directorial debut despite having never watched the first two films in the franchise.
- A Familiar Face
Chechik is actually the man featured on the cover of the People magazine issue that Clark is reading in bed.
- New Faces
Per tradition, two new actors were brought in to play Clark and Ellen’s exasperated children.
- Minor Earthquake
A minor earthquake occurred while filming the arrival scene of Uncle Louis and Aunt Bethany, and eagle-eyed fans can spot the camera shaking slightly.
- Improvisation
The famous crotch-grab Ellen makes when the police raid their home was improvised by D’Angelo during just one take, which ended up being the one used in the final cut.
- Chase’s Injury
Chase actually broke his pinky finger while filming Clark’s tantrum after his lights won’t turn on.
- Squirrel Chaos
The infamous squirrel jumping out of the Christmas tree was even more chaotic behind the scenes when the animal they had been training to perform the stunts died on the day they were set to film.
- Director-Actor Tension
Chechik revealed that while he got along quite well with his leading man, the director and Beverly D’Angelo “really fought like hell” during filming.
- A Memorable Scene
Concerned the scene would offend audiences, the studio wanted the cat electrocution cut from the final version, but Chechik backed the decision to keep it in after consulting with Hughes.
- A Cut Scene
There’s one scene that didn’t make it to the film and Miriam Flynn wishes had been included: a scene where Randy and she are in the infamous motor home and you get to see what their lives are like inside.
- A Personal Touch
The label on the home movie reel that Clark finds in the attic is labeled “Xmas ’59,” a nod to John Hughes’ original article.
- A Holiday Classic
Christmas Vacation—penned by the legendary John Hughes and directed by Jeremiah Chechik—went on to gross over $72 million, becoming a modern Christmas classic.
- A Cast Member’s Debut
Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki made their film debuts as Clark and Ellen’s kids in Christmas Vacation.
- A Sequel
It’s the only sequel in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series to have spawned its own sequel: a direct-to-TV film, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure.
- A Commercial Success
Made with $25 million, Christmas Vacation went on to become one of the highest-grossing films in the franchise after its release on Dec. 1, 1989.
Introduction
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation managed to make a great sequel, becoming an instant holiday favorite and one of the highest-grossing films in the franchise.
Secret #1: John Hughes’ Script is Based on a Short Story
Secret #2: The House Used as the Griswolds’ Neighbors’ Home
Secret #3: Chris Columbus Was Almost Involved
Chris Columbus was almost involved in Christmas Vacation, but he left the project due to creative differences with Chevy Chase.
Secret #4: The Infamous Squirrel Jumping Out of the Christmas Tree
Secret #5: Chechik and Chase Had a Good Relationship
Chevy Chase and Jeremiah Chechik got along quite well, but they “really fought like hell” during filming. However, they later revealed that they had a great time together when making the DVD commentary.
Secret #6: Ellen’s Iconic Scene Was Improvised
Beverly D’Angelo improvised the famous crotch-grab scene when the police raided their home.
Secret #7: Chase Broke His Pinky Finger
Secret #8: A Minor Earthquake Occurred During Filming
Secret #9: Chase’s Co-Stars Wore Cue Cards
Chevy Chase’s co-stars wore cue cards around their necks to help him remember his lines during the iconic tirade after learning he’s not getting his Christmas bonus.
Secret #10: The Studio Wanted to Cut the Cat Electrocution Scene
Secret #11: It’s the Only Sequel with a Direct-to-TV Film
Secret #12: Miriam Flynn Revealed a Cut Scene
Secret #13: Chevy Chase Treated the Director Poorly
The director who exited the project told Chicago Magazine that Chevy treated him poorly.
Secret #14: Two New Actors Were Brought In
Two new actors were brought in to play Clark and Ellen’s exasperated children, Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki.
Secret #15: Lewis’ Boyfriend Was Cheating on Her
Juliette Lewis discovered her then-boyfriend was cheating on her just before production began.
