If you’re a fan of the classic holiday film “Christmas Vacation,” then you know that the Griswold family’s home is decked out in an impressive display of Christmas lights. But have you ever wondered just how many lights were used to create that iconic look?
Well, wonder no more! In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the number of lights used in “Christmas Vacation” and some fun facts about their use.
The Number of Lights Used
According to set decorator Jerie Kelter, there were a total of 25,000 individual lights used in the film’s decoration scenes. This included both exterior and interior shots of the Griswold home.
To put that number into perspective, consider that a typical strand of Christmas lights has around 100 bulbs. That means it would take 250 strands of lights to reach the same number used in “Christmas Vacation.”
The Exterior Lights
The majority of the lights used in the film were for the exterior shots of the Griswold home. In these scenes, we see Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) struggling to untangle massive strands of colorful lights and climb precarious ladders to hang them on his house.
Some estimates suggest that there were around 7,500 exterior lights used in these scenes alone. This includes not only the strings of bulbs but also larger light-up decorations like Santa Claus and reindeer.
The Lighting Effects
One thing that sets “Christmas Vacation” apart from other holiday movies is its use of elaborate lighting effects. For example, there’s a scene where Clark flips a switch to turn on his outdoor display, causing a massive power outage in the neighborhood.
To achieve this effect, filmmakers had to use special lighting controls and equipment. They even had to bring in extra generators just to power all those bulbs!
The Interior Lights
While the exterior lights get most of the attention in “Christmas Vacation,” there were also plenty of decorations inside the Griswold home. In fact, one of the film’s most memorable scenes involves Clark getting stuck in his attic while trying to retrieve more lights.
Inside the house, we see a variety of decorations including a massive Christmas tree with its own set of twinkling lights. There were also smaller touches like window candles and strings of lights hung around doorways and mantels.
- Fun Fact #1: The exterior shots of the Griswold home were actually filmed on a set built specifically for the movie. It was located on Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank, California.
- Fun Fact #2: The famous scene where Clark gets stuck in his attic was actually filmed with a dummy version of Chevy Chase. The real actor only appears briefly at the beginning and end of the scene.
Conclusion
So there you have it – a closer look at just how many lights were used in “Christmas Vacation.” From the massive exterior display to the smaller interior touches, it’s clear that no detail was spared when creating this iconic holiday film.
Whether you’re a fan of Clark Griswold’s over-the-top decorating or just appreciate a good dose of holiday cheer, “Christmas Vacation” is sure to put you in the festive spirit – one strand of lights at a time.