National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Summary
One of the most poignant view inNational Lampoon ’s Christmas Vacationalready teased the perfect opportunity for a prequel moving picture about a decades - former Griswold family vacation . establish on a unforesightful story by John Hughes , the holiday classicChristmas Vacationfollows the exploits of theGriswold family tree , lead by Chevy Chase ’s Clark Griswold , as they pull together in his Chicago home for an extended Christmas celebration . WhileChristmas Vacationis already a vacation - themed sequel to the 1983 Griswold - concentrate movieVacation , the chaos of the family ’s 1989 holiday shenanigans subtly teases the potential for another Christmas - center story localize 30 years prior .
TheVacationmovie seriesoriginally concluded in 1997 with the critically trash box office flopVegas Vacation , which continued the Griswolds ’ misadventures afterVacation(1983),European Vacation(1985 ) , andChristmas Vacation(1989 ) . Theoriginal moving-picture show and the Christmas sequel remain the franchise ’s most successful and fondly rememberedoutings today , though there have been a few subsequent lustreless attack at reviving the series . In add-on to the 2003 made - for - TV spinoffChristmas holiday 2 , centered on Randy Quaid ’s Cousin Eddie , a 2015 subsequence titledVacationsaw a grown - up Rusty take over Clark ’s role . While these efforts did n’t fare well with critics , a prequel movie localize up by a sadChristmas Vacationscene could help breathe life into the enfranchisement again .
Clark’s Home Movie From Christmas 1959 Teases A Perfect Christmas Vacation Prequel
In accession toChristmas Vacation ’s subplot involving neighbors Todd and Margo , one of the most noted scenes that start from the primary story involves Clark Griswold bittersweetly look out home movies from his childhood . When accidentally locked in the noggin , Clark stumble upon a loge of films , ultimately pick out to project footage from Christmas 1959 . While the year in query is a subtle mention to John Hughes ’ short news report “ Christmas ‘ 59 , ” which partially root on the 1989 flick , it could also serve as the groundwork of an intriguing prequel in theVacationseries . This time , rather than once again continuing the franchise with a sequel , aChristmas Vacationfollow - up could bring the Griswold family 64 years back in clip to 1959 .
Not only would this likely prequel explore how youthful Clark Griswold became to be the spirited , sarcastic family man that he is in the late motion-picture show , but it would also give coup d’oeil atChristmas Vacation ’s elder Griswold family line membersat significantly untried ages . Clark was seemingly around 12 twelvemonth old in the home video of Christmas ‘ 59 , with the picture show also featuring more youthful interpretation of Clark Sr . , Nora , Aunt Bethany , and Uncle Lewis . The drawback with a prequel , however , would be the lack of iconic figures like Ellen ( unless she ’s included as a untested peer ) , Rusty , Audrey , Cousin Eddie , and Ellen ’s parent .
A Christmas Vacation Prequel Movie Would Need To Avoid Adapting John Hughes' Original Short Story Too Closely
While taking the Griswolds ’ story back to 1959 would seemingly allow for aChristmas Vacationprequel to accommodate Hughes ’ forgetful story more closely , this may not be the best idea . “Christmas ‘ 59 ” conspicuously have a character name Xgung Wo , who is shockingly laden with anti-Semite stereotypeseven more grotesque than Mickey Rooney ’s portrayal of Mr. Yunioshi inBreakfast at Tiffany ’s . To make it worse , the college - elderly character becomes a stealer at the end of the story , crashing a steal railway car before the sept retaliates by pulling a BB accelerator on him . admit this plot line in a 1959 - setChristmas Vacationmovie would spell cataclysm , which doubtlessly accounted for it being ignored in the 1989 film .
There may be some important parts of Hughes ’ inadequate write up that would have to be avoided , but , similar to the ingredient necessitate for the 1989 film , some fresh storylines could still see their style into a prequel . For instance , vernal Clark and the other kids stray below to glint at their presents , jokes about the Coast Guard needing to search for a fall Santa , and an engraved cigarette lighter being the Christmas bonus “ gift ” rather than a Jelly of the Month club membership . With Clark look back on this vacation with lachrymose affectionateness inNational Lampoon ’s Christmas Vacation , a 1959 - set Griswold prequel could brightly revivify the franchise .
The third installment in the National Lampoon ’s Vacation series , National Lampoon ’s Christmas Vacation , stars Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold , father of the Griswold kin whose intention to have a good Christmas with his fellowship face several reverse . Between his arguing parent , the uncooperative medallion , and the unexpected comer of some unwanted distant congener , Clark ’s dreams for a wonderful Christmas seem to be fading , forcing him to take some comedically drastic measures .
root : " Christmas ' 59 "
Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) at the dining table in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
