directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik
. It is the third installment in National Lampoon's Vacation film series, and was written by John Hughes, based on his short story
in National Lampoon Magazine, Christmas ‘59. The title song was written for the movie by the husband-wife songwriting team of Barry Mann
and Cynthia Weil
and was performed by Mavis Staples
of The Staple Singers
fame.
Since its release in 1989, Christmas Vacation has been ranked on many lists of "Top 10 Favorite Christmas Films" and is considered the best Christmas movie ever.As of 2011, it is shown annually on ABC Family
's 25 Days of Christmas block.
Well I'm gonna park the cars and get the luggage, and well, I'll be outside for the season.
[as an entourage of suits - lead by Clark's boss - passes by single file] Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, kiss my ass. Kiss his ass. Kiss your ass. Happy Hanukkah.
[the newel post is wobbly so Clark cuts it off with a chain saw] Fixed the newel post.
LOTTA SAP in here. [Spits then gives an a-ok sign] Looks great! Little full, Lotta sap!!
The most enduring traditions of the season are best enjoyed in the warm embrace of kith and kin. Thith tree is a thymbol of the the thspirit of the Griswold family Chrithmath.
I dedicate this house to the Griswold Family Christmas.
Can't see the line, can you Russ?
[Handing Christmas lights to Russ] Unravel these. We need to check every bulb. [Pulls out a huge tangle of lights] Oop. Little knot here, you can work on that. [Hands it to Russ]
Where do you think you're going? Nobody's leaving. Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We're all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We're gonna press on, and we're gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he's gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse.