An Overview of the Release Year for National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is one of the most beloved holiday movies of all time. Written by John Hughes and directed by Jeremiah Chechik, the comedy was released in 1989, becoming an instant classic and launching a franchise of sequels and spin-offs. But what year did Christmas Vacation come out? Let’s take a look back at the making of the movie and its subsequent release.
A Timeline of the Release of the Christmas Classic
The idea for Christmas Vacation began in 1983 when John Hughes wrote a short story called “Christmas ’59” for the National Lampoon magazine. After the success of his film National Lampoon’s Vacation, he decided to turn the story into a movie. In 1988, production began on the film, with filming taking place in California and Illinois.
The movie was released in the United States on December 1, 1989. It was a box office success, grossing over $71 million domestically and $11 million overseas. The film also received mostly positive reviews from critics, with Roger Ebert writing that it was “one of the better Christmas comedies I’ve seen.”
Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Making of Christmas Vacation
The cast and crew of Christmas Vacation included some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Chevy Chase starred as Clark Griswold, while Beverly D’Angelo played his wife Ellen. Other notable actors included Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie and Juliette Lewis as Audrey Griswold. Writer John Hughes and director Jeremiah Chechik both returned to work on the sequel.
Filming took place in multiple locations, including Burbank, California; Naperville, Illinois; and at the Warner Bros. Studios backlot. One of the biggest challenges faced during production was the snow seen in the movie. To create the desired effect, the filmmakers used a combination of real snow and fake snow made from foam and paper.
Exploring the Cultural Impact of Christmas Vacation
Since its release, Christmas Vacation has become a holiday staple. The movie has been referenced in numerous other films and TV shows, such as Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, The Simpsons, and Family Guy. There have also been several parodies of the movie, including a popular YouTube sketch featuring Will Ferrell and Jimmy Fallon.
The movie has also had a lasting influence on popular culture. Many people still use quotes from the movie in everyday conversation, and some of the characters, such as Cousin Eddie, have become iconic figures. As David Ansen of Newsweek put it, “[Christmas Vacation] will endure as long as people gather around the tree to open presents and get into fights.”
An Analysis of the Box Office Performance of Christmas Vacation
Christmas Vacation was a box office success, earning over $82 million worldwide. It was the fifth highest-grossing movie of 1989 in the United States and Canada. The movie also received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the performances of Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid.
The movie’s success has continued over the years, with the Blu-ray and DVD versions of the movie selling well. It has also become a cult classic, with many fans watching the movie every year during the holiday season.
Celebrating 30 Years of Christmas Vacation
2019 marked the 30th anniversary of Christmas Vacation’s release. To celebrate the milestone, many events were held throughout the year. These included special screenings of the movie, fan meetups, and even a national tour of the Griswold family home.
The anniversary also provided an opportunity to reflect on the movie’s lasting legacy. As writer John Hughes said in a 1989 interview, “I think this movie is going to stay around for a long time. I think people are really going to enjoy it.” His prediction certainly proved to be true.
Revisiting the Cast of Christmas Vacation
The cast of Christmas Vacation has gone on to have successful careers in film, television, and theater. Chevy Chase starred in several hit comedies, while Beverly D’Angelo appeared in Enchanted and American History X. Randy Quaid won an Emmy Award in 2009 for his guest appearance on Saturday Night Live, and Juliette Lewis starred in the Academy Award-winning movie Cape Fear.
The cast and crew of Christmas Vacation have all contributed to making the movie an enduring classic. Thirty years after its release, the movie continues to bring joy to audiences around the world.
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