It’s easy to see why National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a holiday favorite – people have enjoyed Chevy Chase and the cast’s hilarious antics every Christmas since the movie came out in 1989. But the story of making the movie is just as interesting, and turned out to be a surprisingly chaotic experience for everyone involved.
The making of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was full of chaos! From a change in directors to unpredictable acting choices by Chevy Chase, the production was surprisingly wild. These behind-the-scenes stories – some surprising, some strange – all contribute to understanding how this beloved holiday comedy finally came to life.
As the holidays continue, I wanted to share the story behind what I think is the funniest Vacation movie. Get comfy with your favorite snack and drink, because we’re diving into how it all happened – the good, the bad, and everything in between!
5. Christmas Vacation Was Based On A John Hughes’ Short Story
John Hughes became a defining filmmaker of the 1980s, starting with the first Vacation movie in 1983 and ending with the beloved Christmas film Home Alone in 1990. A key to his success was his focus on themes of nostalgia and family, which were central to National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. This film actually began as a short story Hughes wrote for National Lampoon magazine in the late 1970s, originally titled “Christmas ’59.”
Similar to its earlier counterpart, “Vacation ’58” (which later became the basis for the movie Vacation), “Christmas ’59” retells many of the same story points as National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. The central idea revolves around a father determined to create a perfect Christmas for his family, despite the chaotic and humorous challenges that always seem to arise during the holidays.
It’s not surprising the two works share similarities, as National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is one of many screenplays John Hughes quickly wrote during the 1980s. Even though he didn’t direct the film, Hughes’ signature style – a warm, nostalgic look at life in the Midwest – is strongly present in the Griswolds’ funny and heartwarming holiday adventures.
4. Chris Columbus Almost Directed Christmas Vacation
Credit: Warner Bros. vis MovieStillsDB
John Hughes frequently wrote screenplays he didn’t direct, having already done so with films like Some Kind of Wonderful and Pretty in Pink. He planned the same approach for National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, initially intending for Chris Columbus—known for directing Harry Potter and Home Alone—to direct the movie.
A difficult interaction between Columbus and Chevy Chase caused the director to quit the movie before it was finished. He later described Chase as unpleasant, even though he needed the work at the time. As a result, the production team brought in Canadian music video director Jeremiah S. Chechik to take over as director.
It’s definitely not the first time Chase has caused trouble on a movie set. In fact, he’s almost as well-known for his on-set conflicts with actors like Donald Glover and Bill Murray as he is for his films. It seems the director, Columbus, actually had it pretty easy compared to others who’ve worked with Chase.
3. Chevy Chase’s Co-Stars Wore Cue Cards During Clark’s Meltdown Scene
I’ll never forget the scene in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation where Clark Griswold completely loses it. After all his hard work, he finally gets the mail, thinking it’s his Christmas bonus. But instead of money, it turns out to be… a subscription to the Jelly of the Month Club! His reaction is just priceless – a totally funny, swear-filled meltdown that always cracks me up.
This scene was particularly challenging for Chase, as he struggled to recall all of his character’s quick and energetic lines. Several of his co-stars reported that the film crew helped him by having cast members hold cue cards with his lines, allowing him to read them during the takes.
This wasn’t the first time someone had used this approach with a famous actor. Director Francis Ford Coppola famously did the same thing with Marlon Brando during the filming of The Godfather. Brando was so well-known for forgetting his lines that people said the On the Waterfront star had been using similar tricks since his role as Mark Antony in Julius Caesar.
2. Christmas Vacation’s Squirrel Met An Unfortunate Fate
As the movie reaches its peak, there’s a hilarious scene involving a squirrel. Clark Griswold, having just cut down a neighbor’s tree to replace the one his Uncle Lewis accidentally burned, unintentionally releases the squirrel inside his house. It’s one of the funniest and most memorable moments in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
You won’t believe what happened while we were filming that famous scene! Apparently, the squirrel they originally trained for it actually had a heart attack and passed away during filming. It was so sad! They had to quickly find a new squirrel, but this one hadn’t been trained at all, and they just hoped for the best to finish the shot.
Interestingly, not everyone on set knew about the change, especially Juliette Lewis, who played the Griswold’s daughter and was only 16 during filming. It wasn’t until almost 40 years later, at a cast reunion this year, that Lewis finally learned the truth about what happened.
1. The Griswold Home Has Been Used In Other Hollywood Productions
The iconic Griswold family house—a brightly lit, somewhat dangerous suburban home near Chicago, like many settings in director John Hughes’ films—is where the chaotic Christmas celebrations take place. While the thousands of Christmas lights are the most noticeable feature, observant viewers might realize the house isn’t original to National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
The house isn’t a real neighborhood home; it’s actually part of the Warner Bros. backlot called “Blondie Street” located on the studio’s ranch in Burbank, California. For almost a century, this area has been used to film everything from classic movies directed by Frank Capra to the recent series Young Sheldon. Other well-known shows and films shot there include Father Knows Best, Bewitched, Lethal Weapon, WandaVision, and Dennis the Menace.
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Two years ago, most of the houses on Blondie Street—including the Griswold home—were demolished to build new soundstages, effectively ending a long-used suburban set. As of December 2023, only one building remains on the property (though it’s right next to Blondie Street): the “Little Egbert House,” which appeared in many episodes of The Three Stooges.
Even today, the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation perfectly captures the humor and spirit of the holidays. It’s a nostalgic look back at classic filmmaking, but also a funny reflection of our own winter traditions, family gatherings, and all the joyful chaos that comes with them. As Mavis Staples sings in the film’s memorable opening, it truly is a time to shout, “Hip-hip-hooray for Christmas vacation!”
Entertainment Weekly
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2025-12-21 16:30