The holidays just aren’t the holidays without my favorite movie, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Clark W. Griswold and his endearing, often mind-boggling antics have been making people laugh for nearly 30 years.
Christmas Vacation came out in 1989. I saw it in the theater. And since then my brother and I have prattled off it’s quotes while giggling and reminiscing of the dozens of ridiculous scenes in the movie.
The movie starts out with the Griswold’s heading out to cut down their tree in the “front-wheel drive sleigh.” Clark moves on to putting up his outdoor Christmas lights. Then the parents arrive and other family members. Who could forget Uncle Lewis.
Uncle Lewis: Hey Grizz, Bethany and I figured out the perfect gift for you.
Clark : Aw, you didn’t have to get me anything.
Uncle Lewis : Dammit, Bethany, he guessed it.
Everyone knows a quote from this movie. One of my favorite is Clarke’s rant about his fun, old fashioned family Christmas. Of course the highlight of the movie is the arrival of Cousin Eddie played by Randy Quaid. There are so many memorable quotes and scenes pertaining to Eddie including the scene in the Griswold living room where Clark and Eddie are drinking out of the moose mugs. Eddie is sporting his dickey. Don’t know what that is? You can read about it here.
While Clark is a good natured family man, it is hilarious to see his feisty side. This is portrayed several times through correspondence with his snooty neighbors, Todd and Margo.
Todd: Hey Griswold. Where do you think you’re gonna put a tree that big?
Clark : Bend over and I’ll show you.
Todd : You’ve got a lot of nerve talking to me like that Griswold.
Clark : I wasn’t talking to you.
And as you enjoy all the comes with the holiday season such as music, food, and decor be glad that you don’t live next door to a man who puts so many lights on his house that the power company had to turn on their auxiliary nuclear generator.
What is your favorite quote or scene from this movie?
If this isn’t your favorite holiday movie, what is?
BTW- the moose mugs are available for sale on-line– for only $19.95 a piece.
Love that movie!
I love the scene where Randy Quaid is emptying his trailer’s toilet in the sewer! Yuck! He says: “Crapper’s full!”
Honestly, I might have seen that when I was really little but I don’t remember it at all! My favorite it the old “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” There were a lot of others we watch every year, but the season is never complete without watching that at least once!
Actually, I’m pretty sure that’s not what he says ;). But I enjoy that scene, too.
I do love that movie – it may be my favorite Christmas movie. Although I do love It’s a Wonderful Life (of course), Miracle on 34th Street, Holiday Inn, and the Grinch (the original animated version, naturally). Not sure which ones we’ll see this year – something to look forward to!
We watch this movie every year as part of our Christmas tradition. We laugh every single year too. I love this movie!