National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Continuity mistake: After Clark cuts the rope restraining the tree branches, Rusty is very close to the tree, but the final shot when Clark gives the "OK" sign shows Rusty about two feet from the branches.

Scott215

Continuity mistake: In the scene of Clark standing in the snow trying to figure out why his Christmas lights did not work, the paper he is holding in his right hand is mid torso to him, but in the next shot when Rusty leaves him, his right hand has instantly dropped to his side and he raises his paper-holding hand again.

Scott215

Continuity mistake: When Clark, Eddie, and Catherine are admiring the Christmas lights of the Griswold house, Clark is very close to Eddie with his left arm draped over Eddie's shoulder, but the next quick cut to Clark when he says, "Eddie?", shows Clark further away and his left arm at his side, and not stretched out.

Scott215

Continuity mistake: In the Christmas dinner scene, closeups of Rocky show his right hand raised to his face, but the overhead shots do not.

Scott215

Continuity mistake: When the family is on the front lawn to inaugurate the Christmas lights, between shots a blue Lincoln at the curb disappears and a station wagon appears across the street.

Continuity mistake: When Rocky runs out of the RV and stands in front of his mom, her mittened right hand is on his shoulder but in the next shot it's not.

Scott215

Continuity mistake: When they first step up to the tree in the forest, Audrey is still moving. In the overhead shot, she stops, and we can see tracks in the snow where all four have been standing. The problem is, there are a lot of tracks. We're lead to believe they just walked up to the tree.

manthabeat

Continuity mistake: When Clark's neighbours return home, the man says to Clark, "Where do you think you're going to put a tree that big?" The trunk is very large, bigger then Clark's feet. Clark replies, "Bend over and I'll show you." Then Clark cuts the tree trunk - it is very thin and easy for him to cut.

Continuity mistake: Todd and Margo are nearly two feet apart from each other as Margo suggests Todd slug Clark, but then they are much closer in the next shot when Margo leaves to perform the deed.

Scott215

Continuity mistake: While Clark is having his difficult conversation with Mary, the department store counter girl, the knot on his tie alternates between being cinched tight to loose around his collar.

Scott215

Continuity mistake: When Clark begins his rant about Mr. Shirley, Grandma Frances is directly behind Grandpa Art, with Rusty. The next shot of her and Rusty is almost standing next to Art.

Scott215

Continuity mistake: Before Clark goes off on his rant about his boss, Grandma Frances places her hand on Rusty's shoulder, but the next shot has her hand on the side of Rusty's head.

Scott215

Continuity mistake: The RV of Eddie is parked near the end of Clark's driveway by the large tree in the yard when Clark illuminates his house. When the family disperses and heads into the house, the overhead shot now shows the RV is parked up against the Griswold's garage door, far away from the edge of the driveway.

Scott215

Continuity mistake: In the road rage scene with the redneck's pickup truck, the logging truck's trailer is passing the Griswolds' car with plenty of room for their car to fit underneath. However, the next shot before Clark steers under the truck's trailer shows the semi truck's cab just coming abreast of the Griswolds' car.

Scott215

Continuity mistake: During Clark's rant, the shot goes from seeing him from behind the whole family to a frontal view of the family looking at him in shock. In the first, they are standing in line with the entrance to the room. You can even see Eddie's shadow on the wall as he's very close and slightly behind it. Also, on the other side, Audrey's arms are going down to her side and she's a little behind Art. In the next shot, there is no wall and Audrey is in front of Art. Her arms are also crossed.

Continuity mistake: When Clark is stapling the lights to the roof, his leg is tangled in the sting of lights causing him to lose his balance and slide of the roof. As he slides/falls grabbing the gutter the string of lights around his leg disappears.

Continuity mistake: After Eddie's arrival Clark is on the lawn with "Snots." Clark's left had is shown as he is there alone with the dog trying to get his attention and his glove and wedding ring have both disappeared.

Continuity mistake: When the grandfather is sleeping in the top of the bunk bed, there's a cheesecake poster on the ceiling. When Clark falls through the attic floor onto the bunk bed, it's not there.

Brian Katcher

Continuity mistake: In an early shot of the outside of the house, the motorhome that Eddie and family show up in is parked in the driveway. The problem is, they don't appear until later in the film. (00:37:55)

More mistakes in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Clark Griswold: [reciting 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.] When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh, and...and Eddie with a man in his pajamas and a dog chain tied to his wrist and ankles. What the...?

Bishop73

More quotes from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Trivia: When Clark smashes up the decorations when he can't get the lights working, Chevy Chase genuinely broke a finger when he punched Santa, but stayed in character, kicking the decorations instead, and that's the take used in the film.

More trivia for National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Question: Was there a deleted scene where Cathrine and Ellen were talking while making the turkey in the kitchen and/or doing something resulting in the bird being "overdone" totally and showing up in the scene at dinner causing the turkey to literally explode in a cloud of dust when carved by Clark? It just seems there was a scene missing there!

Answer: YES! You are 100% correct about the deleted turkey-cooking scene! Both my husband and I remember this scene. It was Catherine and Eddie that cooked the turkey to thank Clark and his family for being hospitable. They had never cooked a turkey before and they thought cooking it at a low temperature for a LONG time would be ideal. It looked great, but completely dehydrated. THIS is why Catherine is so upset when the turkey pops open and steams - she ruined the turkey for everyone.

Answer: I have a DVD with the exploding turkey scene It's a classic.

Answer: There was never a scene as described in the film, nor was there anything in any of the special features. Also, there is no mention of it in any of the commentary.

I remember the scene with Catherine and Eddie in the kitchen, putting the turkey in the oven. Catherine said she thought they were putting it in too early.

Answer: I also remember vividly the scene where Catherine is cooking the turkey and have been trying to get a copy of the film where that scene is not deleted. Also checked with my wife, she recalls it too. I think we might have seen it on a very early VHS or LaserDisc version.

More questions & answers from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation