Did the Cat Die in Christmas Vacation?

By Alice Nichols

In the classic Christmas movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”, there is a scene where the family’s cat, named “Snots”, is shown chewing on a string of Christmas lights. The scene ends with the cat getting electrocuted and falling into a pile of presents. This has left many viewers wondering – did the cat die in Christmas Vacation?

The answer: While it may seem like the cat died in the movie, it is never explicitly stated or shown on screen. In fact, there are several clues throughout the movie that suggest that the cat may have survived.

Clue #1: The Cat Appears Later in the Movie

After the infamous scene where Snots gets electrocuted, there is no mention of him for a while. However, towards the end of the movie, when Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) is giving an emotional speech to his family, Snots can be seen walking around in the background.

Clue #2: The Credits

During the end credits of the movie, there is a brief shot of Snots sitting under a chair with a satisfied look on his face. This seems to suggest that he survived his ordeal with the Christmas lights.

Clue #3: The Director’s Commentary

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, director Jeremiah Chechik confirmed that Snots did not die in Christmas Vacation. He explained that they had originally filmed a scene where Clark finds Snots frozen outside and revives him with a hairdryer. However, this scene was eventually cut from the final version of the movie.

The Bottom Line:

While it may seem like Snots met his demise in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, there are several clues that suggest he actually survived. So if you’re a fan of the movie and have been wondering about the fate of the Griswold family cat, you can rest easy knowing that he most likely made it through the holiday season unscathed.

  • Clue #1: The Cat Appears Later in the Movie
  • Clue #2: The Credits
  • Clue #3: The Director’s Commentary

So there you have it – the answer to the age-old question of whether or not Snots died in Christmas Vacation. While it may seem like a small detail, it’s just one of many things that make this beloved holiday classic so memorable.