National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

We're gathering together this holiday season to talk about the romance of 1989's National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! Join in as we discuss lip fungus, the film's large cast, our favorite jokes, and its relationship to Home Alone (also written by John Hughes). Plus: How is the movie different from Hughes's short story "Christmas '59"? Why does Clark (Chevy Chase) wait so long to start hanging his Christmas lights? Did the neighbors totally gut their hosue to yuppify it? Why doesn't the family go on vacation? And, most importantly, should Ellen leave Clark over his terrible financial decisions? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Christmas Twister (2012) ---------------------------------------------- Key Sources and Links for this Episode: "Christmas '59" - John Hughes's National Lampoon short story that serves as the basis for the film 1989 New York Times article on the rising costs of Hollywood movies 1998 interview with John Hughes 2015 Chicago magazine oral history of Home Alone, including Chris Columbus's experience on Christmas Vacation 2020 Rolling Stone oral history of Christmas Vacation