National Lampoon's Vacation

Trivia: The script was based on writer John Hughes short story called "Vacation 58" which was based on a real life trip he took as a child with his parents in 1958.

Trivia: When Clark and his family finally reach Wally World only to discover that it is closed for repairs, the voice of the apologetic recorded message from Marty Moose is that of the film's director, Harold Ramis.

Trivia: Russ is older than his sister Audrey in the film, but in real life Anthony Michael Hall is two years younger than Dana Barron, who was 16- 17 at the time the movie was undergoing production.

Trivia: Harold Ramis' voice can be heard as a member of the SWAT team telling Roy Wally, "Everything is wrapped up here" just before Roy decides not to press charges.

Gibbsdoc

Trivia: Lorenzo Salviati, Beverly D'Angelo's husband at the time, has a cameo as the musician playing the piano at the bar during the scene where Clark meets up and chats with the Ferrari girl (Christie Brinkley).

Trivia: Daisy Mabel Johnson, the daughter of Eddie and Catherine who was born without a tongue, is portrayed by Violet Ramis, the daughter of the film's director, Harold Ramis.

Revealing mistake: In the film's first scene, as Clark and Russ Griswold make a left hand turn to pull into the used car lot in Chicago, the upper quarter of the screen shows mountains and palm trees in the background, which is an impossibility for Chicago. I believe the nearest mountain range to Chicago is in Arkansas and the nearest palm trees reside in Louisiana. (This scene was filmed in California, which explains the mountains and palm trees, BUT nonetheless a mistake.)

More mistakes in National Lampoon's Vacation

Cousin Vicki: I'm going steady, and I French kiss.
Audrey Griswold: So? Everybody does that.
Cousin Vicki: Yeah, but Daddy says I'm the best at it.

More quotes from National Lampoon's Vacation

Question: In all the Vacation movies, the children are played by different actors. What is the reason behind this? Is it simply a joke?

Answer: According to the commentary from "Christmas Vacation" this is an inside joke referencing the fact that Clark is away from home so much with work, he hardly even recognizes them anymore. "European Vacation" could not obtain the same kids who played in the original Vacation, namely Anthony Michael Hall, and tried to cast kids whom looked close. Thus the joke began. No doubt the actors' aging between movies also plays a part.

Jazetopher

Answer: Ironically in 2003, Dana Barron (the original Audrey in the first film) returned as Audrey Griswald in "Christmas Vacation 2: Eddie's Island Adventure" although this film did not contain Chevy Chase, Beverly D' Angelo or a Rusty actor (Rusty not in this film).

More questions & answers from National Lampoon's Vacation

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