It’s the holiday season, and one of the most beloved films that people love to watch is “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” The movie is a classic and has been a holiday staple for many years.
One of the most memorable scenes in the movie is when Clark Griswold goes on a rant about his boss after receiving a jelly-of-the-month club subscription as his Christmas bonus. While this scene is hilarious, many people wonder – was the Christmas Vacation rant scripted?
The Rant Scene
In “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) goes on a tirade about his boss after discovering that his Christmas bonus is not what he expected. The scene takes place during dinner with his family, and as Clark begins to speak, he becomes increasingly agitated and eventually explodes in anger.
The rant has become an iconic moment in the film, and many people have wondered if it was scripted or improvised.
Scripted or Improvised?
According to Randy Quaid, who played Cousin Eddie in the movie, the scene was not entirely scripted. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Quaid said that while there was a script for the scene, Chevy Chase improvised some of his lines.
Quaid said that Chase would add small details to the script, such as mentioning his boss’s toupee or bringing up his wife’s name. These improvisations made the scene feel more authentic and believable.
The Director’s Take
Jeremiah Chechik, who directed “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” also weighed in on whether or not the rant scene was scripted. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Chechik said that there was a script for the scene but that Chevy Chase brought a lot of himself to it.
Chechik said that he encouraged Chase to improvise and bring more of himself to the character of Clark Griswold. He said that Chase’s improvisations made the scene more natural and allowed the audience to connect with Clark on a deeper level.
The Verdict
So, was the Christmas Vacation rant scripted? The answer is yes and no.
While there was a script for the scene, Chevy Chase added his own personal touches through improvisation. This mixture of scripted and improvised lines made the scene one of the most memorable moments in the movie.
Overall, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is a classic holiday movie that continues to bring joy to audiences every year. The rant scene may not have been entirely scripted, but it was certainly one of the most iconic moments in the film.