Even though there is a seemingly never-ending list of Christmas movies, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacationis a holiday classic many people come back to each year. The chaos that takes place during the Griswold Family Christmas is cringey, witty, and downright hilarious. But aren’t most Christmas movies? So why do we keep coming back to Christmas Vacation specifically?
One reason that people keep coming back to the Griswold household for Christmas is because of the writing. John Hughes wrote and directed some of the best comedies of the ‘80s and early ‘90s, including The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Home Alone. Combine Hughes’ writing and a cast that executes his vision perfectly, and you get one of the most quotable Christmas movies of all time.
- Release Date
- November 30, 1989
- Director
- Jeremiah S. Chechik
- Runtime
- 97
11 “Save the Neck for me Clark.” - Eddie Johnson
One of Cousin Eddie's (Randy Quaid) many hilarious quotes is one that runs through many people's heads as they sit down for a Christmas feast. Eddie’s wife Catherine prepared a gorgeous-looking Turkey that looks absolutely delicious. Clark is complimenting her and the family is excited to dig in, but right before Clark cuts into the bird, Eddie tells Clark to save him the neck.
The Funniest Christmas Feast of All Time
The look and response that Chevy Chase delivers perfectly encapsulates bottling your emotions. This is a man who is almost ready to blow up, but manages to utter a calm and collected two-word response, “OK Eddie.” It’s relatable to anyone who regrets having a bunch of family over for the holidays.
10 “The Blessing!” - Uncle Lewis
We'll start with a two-word zinger, from Uncle Lewis played by Prizzi’s Honor star, William Hickey. Uncle Lewis along with his lovely, hard-of-hearing wife Aunt Bethany (Mae Questel) are two of the many Griswold relatives visiting Clark (Chevy Chase) and his family for Christmas. Both Uncle Lewis and Aunt Bethany bring a lot of comedic baggage to a home that is already overflowing with comedic chaos.
Grace? She Died 30 Years ago
In this scene, the Griswold family is gathered around the dinner table getting ready to have a big Christmas feast. But before they dig in, Clark decides to have Aunt Bethany say grace. Unfortunately, due to Aunt Bethany’s hearing problem, Uncle Lewis nearly has an aneurysm trying to tell her to say, “The blessing!” She may have understood the assignment, but due to her declining mental health, she goes on to recite the Pledge of Allegiance instead.
9 “I Don't Know, Margo!” - Todd Chester
It’s one of the many moments where the Griswolds ruined Christmas for their neighbors, Todd (Nicholas Guest) and Margo Chester (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). In this scene, Clark accidentally launches an icicle at their house, breaking a window and their stereo in the process. Leaving the Chesters confused as to what caused the damage, and leading to an emotionally relatable moment.
These Poor Neighbors Did Not Deserve Anything That Happened to Them
This poor couple is essentially tormented by the Griswold Family Christmas. Throughout the film, their house gets damaged, they’re blinded, and attacked by animals. But Todd’s response to “Why is the carpet wet?” is so reliable because it's how every person feels when they’re asked a question they are clearly trying to figure out themselves. Almost everyone has been in that situation where they just want to throw their arms up and say, “I don't know, Margo!”
8
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Is the Best Version of Clark's Nightmare Theory
Clark has been stuck in a continual and varied version of his own hell in the Vacation movies. Thank god they have Christmas to make it better.
7 “Clark, That's the Gift That Keeps on Giving the Whole Year.” - Eddie Johnson
Another cousin, Eddie quote that can be used in many life scenarios. This one comes at a time when a joke, or more an ignorant response, really didn’t need to be made. Clark was expecting a huge Christmas bonus check and had grand plans to install a swimming pool. But his boss had other plans.
That It Is Edward. That It Is.
Clark is leveled when he learns his bonus is reduced to a Jelly of the Month club membership. But cousin Eddie, being cousin Eddie, sees the bright side of the situation. Now, if you are a jelly enthusiast, this may be a solid bright side, but to a man who is expecting potentially thousands of dollars, that hurts. Eddie's comment was the tipping point for Clark, as he would go on to deliver one of the biggest 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
Cousin Eddie’s arrival came as a huge surprise to not only Clark, but the whole Griswold clan. But it’s Clark’s subtle jab at Eddie inviting himself that made people laugh. It’s also a relatable line for those stuck spending the holidays with family they don’t care to be around.
Eddie Low-Key Saved Clark's Financial Situation
Clark Griswold’s interactions with his cousin Eddie are some of the best parts of Christmas Vacation. It would be hard to imagine this movie without Eddie. Who would have kidnapped Clark’s boss, and, in a weird way, helped him to come to his senses and give Clark his Christmas bonus? It’s almost a blessing he randomly showed up.
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
When you think about it, Clark is an exceptional host. Despite the fact that Eddie invited himself to Clark’s home for Christmas, and sold his pity party well enough to the Griswolds, they decided to buy presents for his kids since he is flat broke. But even an exceptional host like Clark Griswold has his limits.
Clark's Willpower Is Inspiring
This is probably one of the best of Clark's responses to his cousin Eddie. While the two are talking about his dog and his older children who couldn’t make it, Eddie continues to be Eddie, breaks things, and treats the place like he owns it. Clark, trying to be the humble host he is, offers to refill Eddie's eggnog, and leave him for dead in the middle of nowhere. But honestly, this quote is made better by Eddie's oblivious response, “Oh no I’m doing just fine Clark.”
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
Everyone has a tipping point. The fact that Clark makes it as long as he does in the movie without completely losing it is nothing short of a miracle. Especially considering everyone he had to deal with throughout the movie.
It Really Was the Hap, Hap, Happiest Christmas
Clark has some of the worst relatives you can ever imagine. He has a crazy cousin who comes over unannounced and trashes the place, a deaf aunt whose mental health is rapidly declining, an oblivious uncle who burnt down a tree he dug out of the ground himself, on top of hosting both his parents and in-laws. Clark's wild rant about everyone staying together for Christmas is not only justified, but funny to watch unfold.
3 “Bend Over and I'll Show You.” - Clark Griswold
All Clark wanted to do was find the perfect Christmas tree for his living room. Once he did, it sadly was a little too big, so he busted out his chainsaw and Jason Vorhees mask and was ready to cut the tree down to size. But his neighbors, the Chesters, decide to give him grief for the tree he picked.
Teens Still Quote This Line Decades Later
When Todd Chester asks Clark where he is going to put a tree that big, Clark responds with “Bend over, and I’ll show you.” This line became such a great one-liner that it’s been quoted by generations of smart-alec teenagers. It’s simple, easy to remember, and undeniably funny.
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2 “S***** Was Full” - Eddie Johnson
This may be the best cousin Eddie moment in Christmas Vacation. Eddie and his family arrive at the Griswold Family Christmas in a beat-down RV that looks like it should probably be quarantined and tested for gamma radiation, because the motor home is one science experiment away from becoming a Spider-Man villain. Eddie’s family also lives in it, which means they have to dispose of their sewage from time to time.
We all Have a Cousin Like This in Our Family... Right?
The next day after cousin Eddie's arrival, Clark and Ellen get a front row to one of the most iconic images of Christmas Vacation; Eddie standing outside their front yard in nothing but a bathrobe, his boots and a fur hat pouring his RV sewage into the gutter. When Eddie sees that Clark and Ellen are watching him, he lifts his beer and shouts out to them, “S***** was full!” A classic Christmas image capped off with a classic one-liner.
1 “Hallelujah! Holy S**t! Where's the Tylenol?” - Clark Griswold
The conclusion to one of Clark's stress-induced rants. It really is the perfect way for Clark to wrap up his emotions. All this man wanted was to have a perfect Christmas for his family, but ironically, his family got in the way of that happening. But his boss also put the cherry on top.
Clark Should Consider Therapy After This Christmas
When Clark learns his bonus is nothing more than a Jelly of the Month membership, he loses it. It’s a justified rant that anyone can relate to and maybe wish they would have the courage to go on one themselves. But it’s the end of this rant, with Clark calling for Tylenol, that got people laughing. It is such a Clark way to end that rant, and it's been living rent-free in many fans' heads for decades.
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