VACATION-1983
Yes, I know it is actually National Lampoon's Vacation but I wanted to talk about this film and we all just say the vacation movies anyways. This is the first of 4 with the last one (I don't mean the remake dreck) taking place in Vegas being the weakest, in my humble opinion. Good ole Clark Griswald wants to take his family on a vacation to Wally World which he does with a few mishaps along the way..dog, Cousin Eddie, Aunt Edna.
It is low brow humour and I love every minute of it! I find it hilarious with great comic timing by Chevy Chase, Randy "Nutso" Quaid and Imogene Coca as Aunt Edna. A great cameo by John Candy near the end of the film is perfect. By the way, most of the cast members got sick from riding the roller coasters since they had to do it many times...yuck.
Clark: THIS IS CRAZY! THIS IS CRAZY! THIS IS CRAZY!
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
I know and love Nat'l Lampoon's Vacation, having watched it more than half a dozen times over the years. It is every bit as great as your review suggests. I recently read that Chevy Chase was difficult to work with on SNL. I wonder if he also butted heads with Vacation cast members. One of the first TV series I remember watching in early childhood was Your Show of Shows starring Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca. It was a hoot to see Imogene in the role of the scolding Aunt Edna in Vacay. The whole cast was excellent - Eugene Levy as the tacky car salesman, Christie Brinkley as the girl in the red Ferrari, Jane Krakowski as cousin Vicki, Anthony Michael Hall as Rusty - stars and budding stars galore.
Remember the Connie Francis hit "V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N"?
Happy V-Day to you, dear friend BB!
It fits, if you ask me ;) Anyway, I liked Christmas Vacation so I think I'll check out this one sooner or later.
ReplyDeleteI do not think I have ever seen this entire movie. My boys used to watch it. Maybe I will put it on my list. I always loved Imogene on the old Sid Caesar show.
ReplyDeleteI think I've maybe seen one of them but not even in entirety. Had come on tv, I think. Hmmm. I could use a good laugh :)
ReplyDeleteI've seen this one a long time ago and saw the Vegas one a few years ago just because it was about Vegas. It's all mindless fun.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
I had never seen the movie, but there was a 2-hour special on not long ago about the making of the movie. It showed so many scenes from the movie, the stories by the artists who shared the scenes, and how the actors felt about each scene, it was like I had seen the entire movie.
ReplyDeleteNot sure anyone knew, but the initial opening of the movie to a test audience fell flat because Wally World was never shown. The audience felt cheated, so the powers that be went back to the drawing board, hired a Sam Walton look alike and John Candy who let them into the park. Disney would NOT allow them access to their park, and I didn't catch who did.
Michal Anthony Hall shared that he was affected the most because during the time between the first and second tapings, he had experienced a growth spurt and was now much taller than in the first part of the movie. He also shared he had to sit up front with John Candy because he was the only one small enough to fit next to Candy.
When Beverly D'Angelo had her nude shower scene, the set was closed, but Hall snuck in to see her in the nude (teenagers!). She was unembarrassed and even walked across the room to the shower. She said after all, she had starred nude in Hair on Broadway, so this short bit didn't bother her at all.
This was a great choice, Birgit.
I never did like this movie. Surprisingly, I do like several of Chevy Chase's movies, just not this one.
ReplyDeleteMy brother and father went on an ill-fated vacation once upon a time. A camping trip. (I stayed home as I hate camping.) It went so badly that my brother started calling my father Chevy for a time afterwards, an homage to the movie. (My brother liked Vacation. Boys.)
Hi Birgit - not one I've heard of or seen ... I'll take a holiday yes!! Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, John Candy's cameo was the best part of the movie.
ReplyDeleteJohn Candy sure upped the movie with his appearance. Christmas Vacation was the only one I enjoyed, others weren't bad.
ReplyDeleteI might be the only one who liked Vegas the best
ReplyDeleteThat whole series was a hoot wasn't it?
ReplyDeleteI hope today found you healthy, happy and full of energy.
Seen it. I might prefer Christmas Vacation though.
ReplyDeleteI actually saw this movie!! Interesting tidbit about the cast getting sick from riding the roller coaster so many times. You think they would have gotten immune to it.
ReplyDeletebetty
Birgit,
ReplyDeleteYes, we always refer to this film as 'Vacation', too. It is hilarious all the way through the movie. Chevy Chase's facial expression are always purrfect. Those crazy, wild eyes filled childlike wonder to venture to Wally World and his fantasies to bed Christie Brinkley. I just love the scene where they're beside the road fixing to have sandwiches when Clark takes a bite of his wet sandwich to find out the dog peed on them. lol Thanks for the smiles this morning and for the visit yesterday, dear friend. You rock!
~Curious as a Cathy
A2Z iPad Art Sketch 'V' Victorian Lady
Good film. I liked Vegas Vacation too. It's got everything in there you can do around Vegas, even going to Hoover Dam.
ReplyDeleteRandy Quaid is a good actor. I thought he got overlooked because he didn't get the looks that his brother did.
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