“A Quest for Fun!”: The 35th Anniversary of “National Lampoon’s Vacation”

By Michael Lyons

It’s tough to pick a favorite scene.

That’s the type of movie “National Lampoon’s Vacation” has become.  The trials and tribulations of the Griswold family’s cross country trek to spend summer vacation at “America’s Favorite Family Fun Park, ” Wally World has become the stuff of hysterical legend.

This summer, “National Lampoon’s Vacation” marks its 35th anniversary, which means there’s no better time to hop in the ol’ Family Truckster and travel back in time to celebrate this ever re-watchable comedy classic. 

One of the first major scripts by John Hughes, (who had based the screenplay on his short story, “Vacation ‘58,” which had appeared in “National Lampoon” magazine), “National Lampoon’s Vacation” contained all the hallmarks of the filmmaker’s later films: broad comedy that shines an oh-so-realistic light on society. 

In it, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) becomes obsessively focused with taking his wife Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo) and kids Audrey and Rusty (Dana Barron and Anthony Michael Hall) to Wally World Theme Park, home of Marty Moose (an obvious and clever sting at Disney).  

Of course, nothing goes as planned and everything goes wrong, which results in some of the funniest and most memorable scenes the comedy movie world has ever seen.

Pulling all of this together with perfect staging and pacing is director Harold Ramis, who had only made one film (“Caddyshack”) prior to “National Lampoon’s Vacation.”  With this film, Ramis’ trademark ability to solidly stage a comic film that sustains laughs throughout its entire running time is on display.

Bringing it all to life like a solid rep company is the cast: Chase, is at the zenith of his stumbling comic timing and D’Angelo as his put upon wife believably delivers her straight lines.

In supporting roles, TV comic legend Imogene Coca is all over-the-top crustiness as Aunt Edna; Randy Quaid populates the hillbilly-like Cousin Eddie so well, he doesn’t seem like he’s acting; John Candy is his likable self as the simpleton, officious Wally World Security Guard; Veteran Eddie Bracken is the perfect Walt Disney-like Company figure head, Roy Wally; Christie Brinkley (in her only acting role) is as stunning as her magazine covers of the time and Eugene Levy is shmoozy goodness as the quintessential slime ball car salesman.

The characters and story were so popular that they gave rise to three sequels (another of which, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” has become an equal classic to the original), as well as a re-boot in 2015.

But, it’s “National Lampoon’s Vacation” that blazed the trail.  Released on July 29, 1983, the film celebrates 35 years this summer.  Three and a half decades of laughing its way into our pop culture psyche (the term “Griswold family vacation” has taken on new meaning).

And, then...there’s those scenes: the Griswolds singing the “Marty Moose Theme Song,” as they drive the open road; Clark falling asleep at the wheel; a Hamburger Helper picnic (without hamburger) at Cousin Eddie’s House; Clark accidentally jumping the Family Truckster like a stunt man; Aunt Edna’s poor dog, dinky’s sad fate; Aunt Edna’s sad fate; Clark swimming with Christie Brinkley (“This is Crazy!  This is Crazy!”); Clark’s “off-the rails” rant at his family; Wally World is closed (“Moose outside should have told you.”).

It’s tough to pick a favorite scene.

Sources:

IMDb

Wikipedia