National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - A Holiday Tradition

For so many folks, the holiday season just wouldn't feel quite right without a visit from the Griswold family. This particular film, you know, it’s a big part of what makes Christmas feel like Christmas for a lot of people. It came out back in 1989, and it’s actually the third story in a series of films that started with National Lampoon's ideas. It's a funny movie, full of physical jokes and silly situations, all centered around one family's attempt to have a truly perfect holiday gathering.

This movie, you see, really captures the wild side of trying to put together a family celebration during the most wonderful time of the year. Clark Griswold, the main character, pretty much just wants everything to be absolutely spot on, but as things tend to go in life, especially around the holidays, things don't quite work out that way. There are always little bumps in the road, and sometimes, those bumps are really, really big, like a relative showing up unannounced in a large recreational vehicle.

It's a story that, in a way, speaks to anyone who has ever tried to make things just so for their loved ones, only to have chaos take over. This film, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, has become a true classic, something many families watch year after year. It's a fun way to remember that even when holiday plans go completely sideways, there's still a lot of joy and laughter to be found, you know, if you just look for it.

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Table of Contents

• What's the Big Deal with National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation?
• How Did National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Come to Be?
• Who are the Folks Behind National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation?
• What Wild Things Happen in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation?
• Where Can You Watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation?
• Is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation on Regular TV?
• Can You Own National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation?
• Beyond the Screen - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation's Lasting Impact?

What's the Big Deal with National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation?

This movie, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, is pretty much a staple for many during the festive season. It first appeared in movie houses in 1989, offering a dose of very physical, sometimes over-the-top, humor. It's actually the third story in a line of films that came from National Lampoon magazine, following the adventures of the Griswold family. It has, you know, carved out a special spot in people's hearts as a must-see holiday picture.

The person who guided the making of this film, the director, was Jeremiah S. Chechik. He was the one responsible for bringing the whole vision to life on screen. Interestingly enough, the idea for this particular story didn't just pop up out of nowhere. It actually started as a short piece of writing by John Hughes, called "Christmas '59." That little story was published in a magazine, National Lampoon, way back in December of 1980, so it had been around for a while before it became this well-known movie. It's almost like the film had a bit of a history before it even hit the big screen.

How Did National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Come to Be?

The original short story, "Christmas '59," which was the seed for National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, first saw the light of day in the December 1980 issue of National Lampoon magazine. This little written piece captured the spirit of holiday chaos and family gatherings in a way that, you know, clearly resonated with many readers. It was a funny look at the less-than-perfect aspects of Christmas, something that many people can actually relate to.

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Apparently, the folks at the movie studio were quite taken with the story. They pretty much asked for it to be turned into a film. This shows how much impact a good piece of writing can have, leading to a much bigger project. It’s interesting to think that this beloved holiday picture, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, began as just a few pages in a magazine, and then grew into something so much larger, a true cinematic event for the holiday season.

Who are the Folks Behind National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation?

The main figures in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation are, of course, Clark Griswold and his wife, Ellen. Clark is brought to life by Chevy Chase, who pretty much makes the character his own with his particular brand of humor and physical comedy. Ellen, his very patient spouse, is played by Beverly D'Angelo. They form the central pair around whom all the holiday craziness revolves, and you know, their interactions are a big part of what makes the film so funny.

Beyond the core family, there are other memorable characters who add to the fun of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Randy Quaid plays Cousin Eddie, a relative who shows up uninvited and, in a way, brings a whole new level of unexpected antics to the Griswold household. The Griswold children, Audrey and Rusty, are also part of the picture, and they are played by Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki, respectively. It’s quite a gathering of personalities under one roof, that's for sure.

The sounds of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation are also a big part of its charm. The person who put together the musical score, the composer, was Angelo Badalamenti. He created the tunes that help set the mood for all the holiday mishaps. And the person who led the musicians, the conductor, was Shirley Walker. It's actually the only film in the entire Vacation series where she took on that role, which is kind of a neat little fact about the movie's background.

What Wild Things Happen in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation?

As the holiday season draws near, Clark Griswold, the head of the household in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, gets this very strong idea in his head: he wants to have the absolute best, most perfect family Christmas ever. He really, really tries to make this happen, so he might bother his wife, Ellen, and their kids a little bit as he attempts to get everything just right. His intentions are good, you know, but his methods can be a bit much for everyone else.

The film then shows how things never really go smoothly for Clark, his wife Ellen, and their two children. Clark’s constant efforts to create that ideal holiday often lead to, well, anything but perfection. There are always little things that pop up, and then some really big things, that make the whole experience a bit of a challenge for the entire family. It’s a pretty relatable situation, I think, for anyone who has planned a big family event.

A major source of the holiday chaos in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation arrives when a country cousin pulls up in a recreational vehicle, pretty much unannounced. This unexpected visitor and his family bring a whole new level of, shall we say, spirited behavior and unusual habits to the Griswold home. Their presence really adds to the already simmering pot of holiday stress, making for some truly memorable and funny scenes, you know, the kind that make you laugh out loud.

Clark's usual run of bad luck, which seems to follow him everywhere, just gets worse with the arrival of these family guests who are, in a way, a bit much to handle. The movie shows how all these elements combine to create a holiday celebration that is anything but calm or traditional. It’s a very colorful and over-the-top way to spend the holidays, especially when you have so many different personalities crammed into one house. It’s a classic example of how the best laid plans can totally go astray, but in a very funny way.

Where Can You Watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation?

If you're looking to watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation right now, there are a couple of places where it's streaming. You can find it available on both Max and Hulu. These are services that, you know, require a subscription to access their content. So, if you already have one of those, you're pretty much all set to watch the Griswolds' holiday adventures.

For those who might be thinking about subscribing to Max to watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, there are a couple of choices. You can get a subscription that costs $16.99 each month, and that version comes without any advertisements. Or, if you prefer to save a little money, there's an option for $9.99 per month that includes ads. It's good to have options, I guess, depending on how you like to watch your movies.

There's also a way to watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation without paying for a subscription, which is pretty nice. The film is available to stream for free on Tubi. Tubi is a service that doesn't ask for any subscription fees, so it's a very accessible option for many people. It’s a great way to catch the movie if you don't have cable or other streaming subscriptions, you know, especially if you're just looking for a one-time watch.

Is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation on Regular TV?

For people who have cable television, you can actually catch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation without any extra cost on channels like TNT and TBS. These channels often play popular movies, and this one is a holiday favorite, so it makes sense that they would show it. It’s a convenient way to watch if you're already paying for cable, you know, just flip through the channels.

If you don't have traditional cable, but you still want to watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation on a live TV platform, there are options for that too. Services like Hulu + Live TV, for example, often include channels like TNT and TBS in their packages. This means you can still get that live TV experience and catch the movie when it airs, even if you've cut the cord, so to speak.

Throughout the month of December, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is also scheduled to be shown on AMC. This channel typically includes it as part of its holiday movie lineup, alongside other well-liked films such as "Elf" and "Four Christmases." So, if you're someone who likes to watch movies as they're broadcast, you'll have plenty of chances to see this one during the festive period, which is pretty much a tradition for some families.

Can You Own National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation?

If you'd rather have your own copy of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation to watch whenever you like, you have some choices for that too. You can buy or rent the film on services such as Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. This gives you the flexibility to watch it on your own schedule, without having to worry about when it's airing on TV or if it's still on a streaming service, which is a nice thing to have.

When you purchase National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation digitally, you can usually stream it right away or even download it to watch later without an internet connection. This is a very convenient way to own the movie, as it means you can take it with you on a tablet or laptop, for example, and watch it even when you're not at home. It’s a pretty simple process to get your hands on it that way.

For those who prefer a physical copy, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is also available on DVD. You can often find a special edition, which might include extra features. These discs are typically shipped from various sellers, and they offer a tangible way to own the film, which some people still prefer. It’s a classic, so having a physical copy makes sense for many who want to keep it as part of their holiday movie collection, you know, for years to come.

Beyond the Screen - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation's Lasting Impact?

People who have watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation often say it's a real treasure of a holiday film. It gets a lot of good feedback for its humor, with many viewers watching it every single Christmas. It has, in a way, become a cherished part of many families' holiday traditions, and that kind of lasting affection is pretty special for a movie. It just goes to show how much this story connects with people.

The popularity of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation has also led to some fun items you can buy. For example, you can get an airblown inflatable RV that looks like the one from the movie, which is pretty much a funny decoration for your yard. There are also things like wood signs and prints that feature scenes or sayings from the film, which people use to decorate their homes during the holidays. It’s a clear sign of how much the movie is loved, that people want to bring pieces of it into their own celebrations.

There was a rumor going around about a poster that supposedly showed a follow-up movie to the 1989 National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. This film, the third in the series, was itself a kind of follow-up to the 1983 National Lampoon's Vacation. The rumor was about "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2," which actually did happen, but it was a television movie called "Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure" that came out in 2003, so it wasn't a big screen release like the original.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, the third one in the Griswold series, actually changed the usual pattern a little bit. Instead of the Griswolds going on a trip somewhere, their relatives are the ones who travel to visit them. This shift in the story’s setup added a fresh twist to the familiar formula, creating new opportunities for funny situations and family chaos, which, you know, worked out pretty well for the movie. It’s a clever way they kept things interesting for the audience.