Did Chevy Chase Improvise Rant in Christmas Vacation?

By Robert Palmer

Christmas Vacation is a holiday classic that has its place in every family’s collection of Christmas movies. The movie features Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, a man trying his best to give his family the perfect Christmas. One scene that stands out in particular is when Clark goes on a rant after receiving what he believes to be a bonus from his boss, only to find out it’s a one-year membership to the Jelly of the Month Club.

There has been much debate over whether Chevy Chase improvised this iconic rant or if it was scripted. Let’s dive into the details and see if we can come up with an answer.

The Script

The script for Christmas Vacation was written by John Hughes, who is known for writing other popular films such as Home Alone and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. In the script, there is a scene where Clark receives his “bonus” and goes on a rant about how he’s going to use it to put in a pool and pay off his bills. However, the actual words of the rant were not written out in detail.

Chevy Chase’s Improvisation Skills

Chevy Chase is known for his improvisation skills and adding his own flair to scenes. However, according to director Jeremiah S. Chechik, Chevy mostly stuck to the script during filming.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Chechik said, “It was pretty much scripted.. Chevy had some improvisational moments here or there but most of it was scripted.”

The Iconic Rant

So while Chevy Chase may have added some of his own lines during filming, it seems that the iconic rant itself was mostly scripted. However, that doesn’t take away from how memorable and hilarious it is.

Let’s take a look at some of the best lines from Clark’s rant:

  • “Hallelujah! Holy sh*t!

    Where’s the Tylenol?”

  • “If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I’d like Frank Shirley, my boss, right here tonight.”
  • “We’re gonna press on, and we’re gonna have the hap-hap-happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny f***ing Kaye!”

In Conclusion

While Chevy Chase may have improvised some lines during the filming of Christmas Vacation, it seems that the iconic rant scene was mostly scripted.

The combination of John Hughes’ writing and Chevy Chase’s comedic timing and delivery make it a scene that will be remembered for years to come. And who knows, maybe Chevy Chase’s improvisation during filming added just enough to make it truly unforgettable.