If you are a fan of vacation movies, you might be curious to know which one was the first to hit the big screen. The answer might surprise you.
The First Vacation Movie:
The first vacation movie ever made was “National Lampoon’s Vacation” released in 1983. It is a comedy film directed by Harold Ramis and written by John Hughes. The movie follows the Griswold family as they embark on a cross-country road trip from Chicago to California’s fictional amusement park, Walley World.
The Plot:
Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) is determined to give his family the perfect vacation. He packs up his wife Ellen (played by Beverly D’Angelo), son Rusty (played by Anthony Michael Hall), and daughter Audrey (played by Dana Barron) into the family station wagon, nicknamed “The Wagon Queen Family Truckster,” and sets out on their adventure.
Along the way, they encounter numerous obstacles including car trouble, getting lost in St. Louis, and even accidentally dragging Aunt Edna’s dog behind them for miles.
The Cast:
Aside from Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Anthony Michael Hall, and Dana Barron, “National Lampoon’s Vacation” also features a number of notable actors in supporting roles. These include Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie and Imogene Coca as Aunt Edna.
The Legacy:
“National Lampoon’s Vacation” was a box office success and has since become a cult classic. It spawned several sequels including “European Vacation,” “Christmas Vacation,” “Vegas Vacation,” and more recently “Vacation” which is both a sequel and reboot of the original.
Some of the most memorable scenes from the movie include Clark’s encounter with Christie Brinkley while driving on the highway and his hilarious rant when they finally arrive at Walley World only to find it closed for repairs.
- Fun fact: The film was based on a short story called “Vacation ’58” written by John Hughes and published in National Lampoon magazine.
- Another fun fact: The Wagon Queen Family Truckster was actually a heavily modified Ford LTD Country Squire station wagon.
In conclusion:
“National Lampoon’s Vacation” was the first movie in the popular vacation movie genre. It introduced audiences to the bumbling and lovable Griswold family and set the tone for all the movies that followed. With its memorable characters, hilarious scenes, and relatable plot, it’s no wonder that this movie has stood the test of time.