If you’re a fan of the classic holiday movie, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” you’re probably familiar with the scene where Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) is trying to put up Christmas lights on his house. In the midst of his struggles, a squirrel suddenly appears and causes chaos in the neighborhood. But the question remains: was the squirrel real or fake?
The answer is yes, the squirrel was indeed real. The filmmakers used a live squirrel for the scene, which added an element of unpredictability and humor to the already hilarious movie.
However, using live animals on set can be risky and unpredictable. In fact, during filming, one of the squirrels actually got loose and caused chaos on set. It reportedly took several crew members to finally capture it.
But why use a real squirrel instead of a fake one? The decision to use a real animal likely came down to authenticity and budget constraints. While special effects technology had come a long way by 1989 (when “Christmas Vacation” was released), it still wasn’t as advanced as it is today. Creating a realistic-looking fake animal that could move realistically would have been expensive and time-consuming.
Additionally, using real animals can add an element of spontaneity and humor that simply can’t be replicated with special effects. The squirrel’s unexpected appearance and antics likely wouldn’t have been as funny if it had been a fake animal that was clearly controlled by handlers.
Animal welfare concerns
While using live animals on set is still common in some movies and TV shows today, there are growing concerns about animal welfare in the entertainment industry. In recent years, several high-profile incidents have brought attention to this issue.
For example, in 2017, video footage leaked from the set of “A Dog’s Purpose” showing a German Shepherd being forced into turbulent water during filming. The incident sparked outrage and calls for stricter regulations on the use of animals in movies and TV shows.
To address these concerns, many filmmakers now use CGI (computer-generated imagery) or animatronics to create realistic animals on screen. This not only eliminates the risk of harm to real animals, but it also allows for more creative control over how the animal behaves and interacts with other characters.
The bottom line
While the squirrel in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” was indeed real, using live animals on set is becoming less common due to growing concerns about animal welfare. Filmmakers now have access to advanced technology that allows them to create realistic animals without putting live animals at risk.
That being said, the squirrel scene in “Christmas Vacation” remains a classic moment in movie history. Its unexpected appearance and chaotic antics are still beloved by fans today, even if it did cause a bit of chaos behind the scenes.
- Yes, the squirrel in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” was real.
- Using live animals on set is becoming less common due to concerns about animal welfare.
- Advances in technology have made it possible to create realistic-looking animals without putting live animals at risk.
- The squirrel scene remains a classic moment in movie history and is still beloved by fans today.