As a child of the ’80s, I can confidently say that watching Clark Griswold’s antics in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was a rite of passage for my generation. The film has provided countless laughs and memories over the years, but if we delve deeper into the life experiences portrayed on screen, it seems like Griswold’s misadventures are more real-life than not.
Despite the multitude of Christmas films available, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation remains a cherished holiday tradition for many viewers each year. The humorous mayhem that unfolds in the Griswold family’s Christmas celebration is awkward, witty, and undeniably funny – but isn’t that a common theme among Christmas movies? However, it seems we continue to revisit Christmas Vacation more than others due to its unique mix of humor, heartfelt moments, and endearing characters.
People continue to visit the Griswold family during Christmastime because of the witty script. John Hughes, a renowned writer-director from the 1980s and early 1990s, penned some of the funniest films of that era, such as “The Breakfast Club,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” and “Home Alone.” Hughes’ writing, skillfully brought to life by a talented cast, results in one of the most memorable Christmas movie quotes ever.
11 “Save the Neck for me Clark.” – Eddie Johnson
One memorable jest from Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) that often comes to mind during Christmas meals is when he asks for the turkey’s neck just as everyone is ready to feast. Catherine, his wife, had beautifully prepared a stunning turkey that left everyone drooling with anticipation. Clark was praising her effort, but right before Clark was about to carve into the bird, Eddie requested that Clark set aside the neck for him.
The Funniest Christmas Feast of All Time
Chevy Chase’s expression and reply perfectly symbolize suppressing one’s feelings. This man is on the verge of exploding, yet he calmly says “OK, Eddie,” which resonates with anyone who has felt overwhelmed by too many relatives during the holiday season.
10 “The Blessing!” – Uncle Lewis
Kick-off with a clever two-word quip, originating from the character Uncle Lewis, portrayed by William Hickey in “Prizzi’s Honor”. Alongside his witty, hearing-impaired spouse Aunt Bethany, played by Mae Questel, Uncle Lewis and Aunt Bethany are among the numerous Griswold relatives who descend upon Clark (Chevy Chase) and his family during Christmas. Both of these characters add a significant dose of comedic tension to an already bustling house filled with comedic turmoil.
Grace? She Died 30 Years ago
In this particular setting, the Griswold clan gathers at their dinner table for a grand Christmas meal. However, prior to dining, Clark requests Aunt Bethany to offer grace. Regrettably, Lewis nearly suffers a stress-induced brain hemorrhage while attempting to signal her to say “The blessing.” Despite possibly grasping the task, her deteriorating cognitive abilities lead her to recite the Pledge of Allegiance instead.
9 “I Don’t Know, Margo!” – Todd Chester
One time among many, the Griswolds ended up spoiling Christmas for their neighbors, Todd (Nicholas Guest) and Margo Chester (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). In this particular incident, Clark inadvertently hurls an icicle at their house, resulting in a broken window and a damaged stereo. The Chesters are left puzzled about the source of the damage, creating a poignant moment that many can empathize with.
These Poor Neighbors Did Not Deserve Anything That Happened to Them
The unlucky pair seems constantly plagued by the chaos of the Griswold Family Christmas. During the movie, their home suffers damage, they experience sight problems, and are even menaced by wild animals. Yet Todd’s reaction to “Why is the carpet wet?” mirrors an experience many can relate to – the feeling when faced with a question that one is trying to answer oneself. In fact, it’s a common situation where most people would instinctively want to shrug their shoulders and exclaim, “I’m as confused as you are, Margo!
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7 “Clark, That’s the Gift That Keeps on Giving the Whole Year.” – Eddie Johnson
In various situations, here’s another wise saying from cousin Eddie: “Jeez, Louise! Was that comment truly necessary?” This quote comes in handy when you feel an unnecessary joke or thoughtless remark has been made. For instance, Clark was anticipating a substantial Christmas bonus and had dreams of building a swimming pool. However, his boss had other ideas, which left Clark feeling disappointed.
That It Is Edward. That It Is.
Clark feels quite disheartened when he discovers his bonus has been replaced with a membership to a Jelly of the Month club. However, typical of cousin Eddie, he manages to find a silver lining in this situation. While this might be a positive turn for someone passionately fond of jellies, for a man anticipating potentially large sums of money, it’s a blow. Eddie’s remark was the final straw that led Clark to deliver one of the most memorable rants in Christmas movie history.
6 “If I Woke up Tomorrow With My Head Sewn to the Carpet I Wouldn’t Be More Surprised Than I Am Now.” – Clark Griswold
As a movie enthusiast, let me share my take on the unexpected entrance of Cousin Eddie in the Griswold family saga. To everyone’s astonishment, including Clark himself, Eddie made his grand appearance. However, it was Clark’s clever quip that extended an invitation to Eddie, which left audiences in stitches. It’s a line many can resonate with, especially those who find themselves celebrating holidays with family they could do without!
Eddie Low-Key Saved Clark’s Financial Situation
One of the most memorable aspects of the film “Christmas Vacation” is the humor derived from Clark Griswold’s encounters with his eccentric cousin Eddie. It’s challenging to envision the movie without Eddie, as he played a significant role in both kidnapping Clark’s boss and, in an odd manner, helping Clark regain his senses and receive his Christmas bonus. In a strange twist of fate, it seems almost fortunate that Eddie happened to appear unexpectedly.
5 “Can I Get You an Eggnog for You? Get You Something to Eat? Drive You Out to the Middle of Nowhere and Leave You for Dead?” – Clark Griswold
Reflecting on the situation, it’s clear that Clark makes a wonderful host. Although Eddie unexpectedly turned up at Clark’s home during Christmas and managed to convince the Griswolds to buy gifts for his children, since he was financially strapped, there comes a point where even an exceptional host like Clark Griswold reaches his limits.
Clark’s Willpower Is Inspiring
Among Clark’s replies to his cousin Eddie, this one is likely among the finest. As they discuss Eddie’s dog and children who couldn’t attend, Eddie, true to form, causes damage and behaves as if the place belongs to him. In an attempt to maintain his gracious host persona, Clark proposes refilling Eddie’s eggnog and abandoning him in a remote location. However, it’s Eddie’s unaware reaction, “Oh no I’m doing just fine Clark,” that truly elevates this exchange.
4 “When Santa Squeezes His Fat A** Down That Chimney He’s Going to See the Jolliest Bunch of A**Holes This Side of the Nut House.” – Clark Griswold
In simpler terms, every person has their limit or breaking point. It’s astonishing, almost miraculous, that Clark managed to keep his cool for as long as he did in the film, given all the challenging individuals he encountered during the movie.
It Really Was the Hap, Hap, Happiest Christmas
In simpler terms, Clark has quite an unusual family. He has a cousin who frequently drops by without notice, causing chaos everywhere, a mentally unstable aunt who’s getting worse, an oblivious uncle who accidentally set fire to a tree he had dug up, and to top it off, he lives with both his parents and in-laws. So, when Clark expresses his frustration about spending Christmas with the family, not only is his reaction understandable, but it’s also amusing watching the situation unfold.
3 “Bend Over and I’ll Show You.” – Clark Griswold
All Clark aimed to discover the ideal Christmas tree for his lounge area. Once he found one, unfortunately, it turned out to be slightly oversized, so he retrieved a chainsaw and donned a Jason Vorhees mask, preparing to trim the tree to fit. However, his neighbors, the Chesters, chose to tease him about the tree he had chosen.
Teens Still Quote This Line Decades Later
When Todd Chester inquiries about where Clark intends to place such a large tree, I casually reply, “Allow me to demonstrate.” This line has resonated through generations as the go-to quip for witty teenagers. It’s concise, catchy, and undeniably amusing.
2 “S***** Was Full” – Eddie Johnson
This might just be the most iconic cousin Eddie scene in “Christmas Vacation.” Upon their arrival at the Griswold Family Christmas, Eddie and his family show up in an RV that appears more suitable for isolation and radiation testing. The motorhome seems dangerously close to transforming into a Spider-Man villain due to its precarious state of scientific experimentation. Remarkably, Eddie’s family resides within this vehicle, which means they must occasionally deal with disposing their waste.
We all Have a Cousin Like This in Our Family… Right?
The day following cousin Eddie’s arrival, Clark and Ellen unwittingly become spectators of a quintessential Christmas Vacation scene: Eddie, clad only in a bathrobe, boots, and a fur hat, is seen emptying the waste tank of his RV into their gutter. Upon noticing that they are watching him, Eddie raises his beer and yells, “The toilet’s full!” – a classic Christmas tableau concluded with a timeless one-liner.
1 “Hallelujah! Holy S**t! Where’s the Tylenol?” – Clark Griswold
In conclusion, one of Clark’s emotional outbursts due to stress. It turned out to be just the right ending for Clark to express his feelings. All he yearned was a flawless Christmas celebration for his loved ones, yet tragically, his family became the impediment to that ideal scenario. To make matters worse, his boss added the final touch of chaos.
Clark Should Consider Therapy After This Christmas
When Clark discovers his bonus is merely a Jelly of the Month subscription, he becomes furious. His outburst is understandable and something many could empathize with, wishing they had the guts to express their frustration similarly. However, it’s at the end of this outburst where Clark requests Tylenol that leaves people in stitches. Such a reaction from Clark seems fitting for the rant, and it has stuck in the minds of fans for years.
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2024-11-18 04:02