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National Lampoon's Vacation
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Synopsis
Far superior to its sequels, National Lampoon's Vacation chronicles the trials and tribulations of the Griswolds (Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Dana Barron, and Anthony Michael Hall) as they trek cross-country in search of fun and recreation at the mythical WallyWorld theme park. Along the way, they get lost in East St. Louis (in what some may consider a racist scene involving black youths stripping the brand-new family station wagon clean while Clark Griswold [Chase] unwittingly asks a belligerent pimp for directions), stop to visit some hillbilly relatives (Randy Quaid is hilarious as the down-on-his-luck patriarch), pick up their cantankerous aunt Edna (Imogene Coca), dispose of her corpse after she passes away in the back seat, narrowly skirt death after crashing through a roadside billboard in the desert, and stay at a hotel where Clark is tempted by a seductive swimmer (Christie Brinkley). Having endured a journey more trying than Homer's Odyssey, they finally arrive at WallyWorld -- only to find it is closed for two weeks for renovations. Wackiness ensues as Clark snaps and takes a security guard (John Candy) hostage. Chase is good as everyman Clark Griswold, as is D'Angelo as his wife, and Candy is a scene-stealer as a stodgy, dim-witted park security guard. Among the funniest scenes are Clark's swim at the motel, the visit to the Grand Canyon, and the encounter with the state trooper regarding Aunt Edna's missing dog. Much of the humor in National Lampoon's Vacation is indicative of the general lack of taste in '80s comedies (particularly their exploitation of racial stereotypes and incest humor), but a good portion of the film is still laugh-out-loud funny thanks to a game cast. ~ Jeremy Beday, All Movie Guide

Cast

Dana Barron Audrey Griswold
Eddie Bracken Walley
Christie Brinkley Girl
John Candy Lasky
Chevy Chase Clark Griswold
Imogene Coca Aunt Edna
Beverly D'Angelo Ellen Griswold
Randy Quaid Cousin Eddie
Anthony Michael Hall Rusty Griswold

Production Crew

Robert Grand Associate Producer
Victor J. Kemper Cinematographer
Ralph Burns Composer (Music Score)
Barbara Siebert-Boticoff Costume Designer
Robert Harris, Jr. Costume Designer
Harold Ramis Director
Paul Herring Editor
Pem Herring Editor
Robert P. Cohen First Assistant Director
John Hughes Producer
Matty Simmons Producer
Jack T. Collis Production Designer
John Hughes Screenwriter
Marty Bolger Sound/Sound Designer
Year: 1983
Runtime: 98
Country: USA
MPAA Rating: R
Category: Feature

Genre
Comedy

Produced by
Warner Brothers