Is Catherine Ellen’s Sister in Christmas Vacation?

By Anna Duncan

Many fans of the classic holiday movie, “Christmas Vacation,” have questioned whether Catherine is Ellen’s sister. While the answer may seem obvious to some, others are still confused. Let’s take a closer look at the evidence and find out once and for all.

The Case for Catherine Being Ellen’s Sister
The primary argument in favor of Catherine being Ellen’s sister is that they share a last name: Johnson. Both women are referred to as Mrs. Johnson throughout the film, indicating that they are related in some way. Additionally, when Clark invites his parents and in-laws to spend Christmas with his family, he refers to Ellen as “Ellen Griswold” but introduces Catherine simply as “Catherine” – perhaps indicating that her last name is already known to everyone present.

The Counterargument
While it may seem like a slam dunk case for Catherine being Ellen’s sister, there are a few factors that suggest otherwise. For one thing, Ellen and Catherine don’t seem particularly close throughout the film – they exchange pleasantries but don’t show any signs of sibling affection or familiarity. Additionally, when Clark gets into an argument with his father-in-law about the swimming pool he’s planning to install, both Ellen and Catherine take their respective husband’s side of the argument – suggesting that their loyalty lies more with their spouses than with each other.

So What’s The Verdict?

Ultimately, there is no definitive answer to whether Catherine is Ellen’s sister or not. While there are certainly arguments on both sides of the debate, the film itself doesn’t provide enough information to make a conclusive determination either way.

Conclusion

In summary, while it may seem like an open-and-shut case that Catherine is Ellen’s sister based on their shared last name, there are other factors at play that suggest otherwise. Whether or not they are related by blood, however, is ultimately irrelevant to the plot of “Christmas Vacation” – and shouldn’t detract from anyone’s enjoyment of this beloved holiday classic.