Did Chevy Chase Ad-Lib His Rant in Christmas Vacation?

By Alice Nichols

Christmas Vacation is a classic holiday movie that has become a staple in many households. One of the most memorable scenes in the movie is when Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, goes on a rant about his boss after not receiving his expected Christmas bonus. Many viewers have wondered if this iconic rant was ad-libbed by Chevy Chase or if it was scripted.

The Script

According to writer John Hughes, the script for Christmas Vacation was very detailed and specific. Hughes had written out every word of the famous rant, leaving little room for improvisation. However, this did not stop Chevy Chase from adding his own unique touch to the scene.

Ad-Libbing

While Chevy Chase did stick to the script for most of the scene, he did ad-lib some of his lines to make them more humorous and memorable. For example, when he says “I want to look him straight in the eye and tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless..” and then pauses before finishing with “hopeless and heartless” was completely improvised by Chase.

Improvisation Skills

Chevy Chase is known for his improvisation skills and has been praised for his ability to make even scripted scenes seem spontaneous. In fact, many of his most iconic moments from movies like Caddyshack and Fletch were completely improvised.

Director’s Reaction

Director Jeremiah Chechik was impressed with Chevy Chase’s ad-libbing during the scene and allowed him to continue to improvise throughout filming. Chechik recognized that Chevy Chase’s ability to improvise added depth and humor to his character and made the film even more enjoyable for viewers.

  • Conclusion

In conclusion, while the famous rant in Christmas Vacation was largely scripted, Chevy Chase’s ad-libbing skills added an extra layer of humor and wit to the scene. His ability to improvise was recognized by the director and allowed him to make Clark Griswold an even more lovable character. It just goes to show that sometimes the best moments in film come from a combination of great writing and talented actors.