Inside Christmas Vacation: Behind the Scenes Secrets of a Holiday Classic

A beloved holiday film almost had a very different director. New cast members navigated personal drama on set. These are the untold stories from the making of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

The movie has become a seasonal staple since its 1989 debut. Its journey to the screen was filled with unexpected challenges and creative clashes. According to behind-the-scenes reports, the production faced everything from animal mishaps to last-minute script saves.

Director Drama and Casting Surprises

Chris Columbus was first chosen to direct. He left the project after a difficult meeting with star Chevy Chase. Columbus later directed Home Alone, which became a massive hit.

Jeremiah Chechik took over as director. It was his first feature film. He admitted he had never seen the previous Vacation movies before taking the job.

The Griswold children were recast, as was tradition for the franchise. A young Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki won the roles. Galecki revealed he had a major crush on his on-screen sister during filming.

On-Set Chaos and Iconic Improvisation

The famous squirrel-in-the-tree scene descended into chaos. The trained squirrel died just before filming. The crew had to use an untrained animal, creating frantic moments on set.

Chevy Chase broke his pinky finger during Clark’s lightbulb meltdown. The injury was quite painful. He powered through to complete the iconic scene.

Beverly D’Angelo improvised Ellen’s crotch-grab during the police raid. She did it in a single take. That spontaneous moment made the final cut.

The studio almost cut the cat electrocution scene. Executives feared it would offend audiences. Director Chechik and writer John Hughes fought successfully to keep it in the film.

The legacy of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is built on these behind-the-scenes stories. They reveal the messy, human effort behind a perfect holiday comedy. The film’s enduring charm is a testament to that chaotic creativity.

Dropping this nugget your way

Q1: Who was originally supposed to direct Christmas Vacation?

Chris Columbus was initially set to direct. He left after clashing with Chevy Chase. Columbus went on to direct Home Alone shortly after.

Q2: Why were the Griswold kids recast?

Recasting the children was a tradition for the Vacation franchise. New actors played Audrey and Rusty in each film. Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki debuted in these roles.

Q3: Was the squirrel scene planned?

It was planned, but not as filmed. The trained squirrel died before shooting. The crew used an untrained squirrel, causing real chaos on set.

Q4: What scene did the studio want to remove?

Studio executives wanted to cut the cat electrocution scene. They worried it would upset viewers. The director and writer insisted it stay for comedic effect.

Q5: Did Chevy Chase get injured during filming?

Yes, Chase broke his pinky finger. It happened during Clark’s tantrum over the outdoor lights. He finished the scene despite the injury.

Q6: How did Chevy remember his long bonus rant?

His co-stars wore cue cards around their necks. The lines were divided among them. You can see his eyes moving from person to person in the scene.