Did Mr Ellis Really Die in Vegas Vacation?

By Alice Nichols

One of the most popular questions that fans of the cult classic comedy movie, Vegas Vacation, have been asking for years is – did Mr Ellis really die in the movie

The Setup

For those who aren’t familiar with the movie, Vegas Vacation is a 1997 comedy film and the fourth installment in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series. The story follows Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) and his family as they head to Las Vegas for a fun-filled vacation.

During their stay at the Mirage Hotel & Casino, Clark meets an old friend named Marty (played by Wallace Shawn), who introduces him to his boss, Mr Ellis (played by Sid Caesar). Mr Ellis is a wealthy businessman who invites Clark to join him at a private game of blackjack. After some convincing, Clark agrees to play and wins big.

The Plot Twist

Later on in the movie, Clark and his family attend a magic show where they witness an illusion where a man gets sawed in half. To their surprise, it turns out to be none other than Mr Ellis.

The audience gasps as Mr Ellis appears to be dead on stage. However, after some hesitation and confusion, he eventually pops out unscathed.

The Controversy

Despite this seemingly happy ending for Mr Ellis, fans have long speculated that he actually died during the stunt and that his reappearance was just part of the act. This theory gained even more traction when it was noticed that there were no further appearances or mentions of Mr Ellis throughout the rest of the movie.

The Director’s Response

In a 2015 interview with Yahoo! Movies, director Stephen Kessler finally put this debate to rest. He confirmed that Mr Ellis did not die in the movie and that his disappearance was simply a plot device to move the story forward.

Kessler explained that the reason why Mr Ellis doesn’t appear in the movie again is because he didn’t serve any more purpose to the story. He also revealed that Sid Caesar, who portrayed Mr Ellis, had health issues during filming and wasn’t available for additional scenes.

The Conclusion

So there you have it – despite what some fans may believe, Mr Ellis did not die in Vegas Vacation. It was simply a clever plot twist to keep audiences on their toes. And while it’s always fun to speculate about these things, sometimes the truth is simpler than we think.

  • Key Takeaways:
    • Mr Ellis did not really die in Vegas Vacation.
    • His disappearance from the movie was a plot device and not because he died during the magic show stunt.
    • Sid Caesar, who portrayed Mr Ellis, had health issues during filming and was unavailable for additional scenes.

In conclusion, Vegas Vacation remains a beloved comedy classic with its fair share of twists and turns. And while we may never know what really happened to Mr Ellis after his disappearing act, we can still enjoy his memorable performance and cherish the laughs he brought us.