Rating: Full

 

Cast: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, and Randy Quaid

 

Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik

 

Writer: John Hughes

 

Producers: John Hughes and Tom Jacobson

 

Music by: Angelo Badalamenti

 

Oscar Nominations: 0

 

Rated: PG-13

 

Release Date: 12/01/89

 

Favorite Character:

 

Quote: “We’re gonna press on, and we’re gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny (bleep) Kaye.”- Clark Griswold

 

Fun Facts: The film is based on the short story John Hughes wrote in the National Lampoon magazine titled, “Christmas 59” which is also a film reel Clark watched while being locked in the attic.

 

Final film of Mae Questel, whose film career began in 1930, as the voice of Betty Boop.

 

After failing to get the Christmas lights to work one last time, Clark Griswold takes his frustration out on the plastic decorations in the front yard. Chevy Chase actually broke his pinky finger while punching Santa Claus. He resorts to kicking and clubbing the decorations after that. The film kept rolling, and the take was used.

 

Just before Clark gets locked up in the attic, he pulls out an old present from a hidden slot, and it contains a card that reads “Happy Mother’s Day 1983, Love Clark”. The first movie, National Lampoon’s Vacation was released that same year.

 

Summary: The Griswold family tries to make it the best Christmas ever but it becomes a disaster.

 

The Review: Ho Ho Ho, that’s what you’ll be saying while watching this film. Clark Griswold really does it again. This script is certainally terrific. It may be tragic for them but funny to us.