- The first couple of National Lampoon Vacation movies went to great lengths to illustrate that the Griswolds were the most dysfunctional family in the world. Christmas Vacation takes that argument one step further. Along with Clark (Chevy Chase), Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo) and the kids (Johnny Galecki and Juliette Lewis), we now get to spend the holiday with an overflowing stable of Griswold relatives. Some, like Clark Sr. (John Randolph), are surprisingly tolerable, while others, like Ellen's mother (Doris Roberts), are more than a little snippety. And then there are the aging aunts and uncles (Mae Questel and William Hickey), who add a dose of senility to the proceedings. Last but far from least are rustic Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) and his wife Catherine (Miriam Flynn), who arrive by RV with kids and a dog in tow. Is Clark surprised to see them? "If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn't be more surprised than I am now," he admits.
- It's probably impossible to mount a logical defense of Christmas Vacation. As a film, it's little more than a set of gags strung together with as much skill and subtlety as the Griswold family Christmas lights. Fortunately, most of the gags work well enough, and the film sensibly keeps the momentum going through the ones that don't. For me, however, the film's real achievement has always been the characterization of Cousin Eddie and kin. While much of Clark's shtick is eerily similar to every other role Chevy Chase has ever played, the arrival of the redneck relatives gives the film (and the series, for that matter) a much-needed shot in the arm. Plus, Cousin Eddie gets most of the film's funniest lines. To wit, "Every time Catherine revved up the microwave, I'd piss my pants and forget who I was for about half an hour or so." If that doesn't say Christmas, I don't know what does.
- The assistant director was Frank Capra's grandson, and the film contains a clip of It's a Wonderful Life.
- Mae Questel was the voice of Betty Boop!
- I missed mentioning Brian Doyle-Murray as Clark's boss.
