If you’re a fan of the classic holiday movie Christmas Vacation, you may have wondered how long ago Grace died. Grace was the wife of Frank Shirley, Clark Griswold’s boss, and her untimely death is a key plot point in the film.
The Scene
In case you need a refresher, here’s a quick rundown of the scene in question. Clark is at home with his family when his boss Frank unexpectedly shows up with his wife Helen and their children. Clark is excited to see them at first, but things quickly turn sour when Frank tells Clark that he’s cancelling the Christmas bonus for all of his employees.
Clark goes into a tirade about how he needs that money to pay for the swimming pool he’s been dreaming of. Frank tries to calm him down by saying that he’s sending him “a little something” instead of the bonus. That’s when Grace comes up.
Clark asks “What’s this?” and Frank says “That..is a one-year membership to the Jelly of the Month Club.”
Clark is understandably upset about this paltry gift and starts ranting again. It’s then that Frank drops the bombshell: “Grace died thirty years ago.”
What Does This Mean?
So what does it mean that Grace died thirty years ago? Well, it means that Frank has been holding onto this Jelly of the Month Club membership for thirty years as a way to save money on bonuses for his employees. It also means that Clark has been working for Frank for longer than thirty years (since he was around when Grace was alive).
It’s worth noting that some fans have speculated that Frank might be lying about Grace’s death as a way to get out of giving bonuses. However, there isn’t any concrete evidence in the film to support this theory.
- Conclusion
So there you have it – Grace died thirty years ago in Christmas Vacation. This revelation is a key moment in the film, as it shows just how cheap and heartless Frank can be. It’s also a reminder that Clark has been putting up with his boss’s nonsense for a long time.
Whether you’re watching Christmas Vacation for the first time or the fiftieth, this scene is always a memorable one. And now that you know exactly how long ago Grace died, you can impress your friends with your deep knowledge of the film’s lore.