Is Ruby Sue Wearing a Wig in Christmas Vacation?

By Alice Nichols

If you’re a fan of the Christmas classic, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” you may have found yourself wondering one thing: Is Ruby Sue wearing a wig?

Well, the answer is yes, she is indeed wearing a wig in the movie. But why? Let’s dive into the details.

The Character of Ruby Sue

First, let’s take a closer look at the character of Ruby Sue. She is played by actress Ellen Hamilton Latzen and is the daughter of Eddie and Catherine Johnson, who are relatives of Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase).

Ruby Sue is known for her adorable Southern drawl and her constantly messy hair. She is also depicted as being quite poor, which adds to her charm and sympathy from the audience.

The Wig Controversy

Now that we know more about Ruby Sue, let’s discuss why there was even controversy surrounding whether or not she was wearing a wig in “Christmas Vacation.”

Some fans speculated that Latzen had cut her hair between filming scenes for the movie, leading to inconsistencies in her hairstyle throughout the film. Others believed that it was simply a styling choice made by the filmmakers.

However, it has been confirmed that Latzen did indeed wear a wig during filming. The reason for this decision was to ensure continuity in her hairstyle throughout filming.

The Benefits of Wearing a Wig on Set

Wearing a wig on set can have many benefits for actors and filmmakers alike. For example, it can help maintain consistency in appearance throughout filming, which can be crucial when shooting takes place over several weeks or months.

Additionally, wigs can be used to create specific looks for characters that might be difficult or time-consuming to achieve using an actor’s natural hair.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while some fans may have been surprised to learn that Ruby Sue was wearing a wig in “Christmas Vacation,” it was a decision made to ensure consistency in her hairstyle throughout filming. And while wearing wigs on set is not uncommon, it’s always fascinating to learn more about the behind-the-scenes decisions that go into creating our favorite movies.

So next time you watch “Christmas Vacation,” keep an eye out for Ruby Sue’s wig and appreciate the attention to detail that went into creating her character.