If you’re a fan of the classic Christmas movie, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, then you’re probably familiar with the scene where Clark Griswold fantasizes about his perfect swimming pool. But did you know that this scene almost didn’t make it into the film Let’s take a closer look at the pool scene in Christmas Vacation.
The Origin of the Pool Scene
The idea for the pool scene actually came from John Hughes, who wrote the screenplay for Christmas Vacation. Hughes had previously written a similar scene for his film National Lampoon’s Vacation, where Chevy Chase’s character imagines an attractive woman swimming in a motel pool. However, this time around, Hughes wanted to flip the gender roles and have Clark Griswold imagine himself as a suave and sophisticated pool owner.
The Filming Process
The pool scene was filmed in Los Angeles at Warner Bros. Studios. To create the illusion of a luxurious backyard pool, the filmmakers used a matte painting technique to add in palm trees and blue skies. The actual “pool” was just a small tank filled with water that Chevy Chase stood in while filming.
Interestingly enough, Chevy Chase wasn’t actually comfortable being submerged in water due to an injury he had sustained earlier in his career. To accommodate this, the filmmakers only filmed him from waist-up and used camera angles to make it appear as though he was fully immersed.
The Controversy
Despite being one of the most memorable scenes in Christmas Vacation, it almost didn’t make it into the final cut of the film. According to director Jeremiah S. Chechik, studio executives were concerned that it would be too expensive to film and that audiences wouldn’t find it funny.
However, Chechik fought hard to keep the scene in and ultimately won out. He believed that it was important for the character of Clark Griswold to have this moment of escape and fantasy, which would make his eventual breakdown later in the film all the more poignant.
The Legacy
Today, the pool scene in Christmas Vacation is a beloved moment in a beloved holiday classic. It’s become so iconic that it’s been parodied and referenced in countless other films and TV shows.
In fact, the pool scene was so popular that it even spawned its own line of merchandise. Fans can now purchase everything from t-shirts to coffee mugs featuring images from the scene.
Conclusion
Despite initial concerns from studio executives, the pool scene in Christmas Vacation has become one of the most memorable moments in holiday movie history. Thanks to John Hughes’ creative vision and Jeremiah S. Chechik’s determination, we’re able to enjoy this hilarious and heartwarming scene year after year.