What Was the Tagline for National Lampoon’s Vacation?

By Alice Nichols

National Lampoon’s Vacation is a classic comedy film that has entertained audiences for decades. The movie stars Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, a well-meaning but hapless father who takes his family on a disastrous road trip to Walley World amusement park.

But what was the tagline for National Lampoon’s Vacation? Let’s take a closer look.

The Plot of National Lampoon’s Vacation

Before we dive into the tagline, let’s recap the plot of National Lampoon’s Vacation. The film centers around the Griswold family, who live in Chicago and decide to take a cross-country road trip to Walley World in California.

Clark Griswold leads the charge, hoping to create a memorable vacation for his wife Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo), son Rusty (Anthony Michael Hall), and daughter Audrey (Dana Barron). However, things quickly go awry as they encounter one obstacle after another on their journey west.

The Tagline for National Lampoon’s Vacation

So what was the tagline for National Lampoon’s Vacation? It was “Every summer Chevy Chase takes his family on a little trip.

This year he went too far.” This tagline perfectly captures the essence of the movie – it sets up the premise of a family vacation gone wrong, while also hinting at Clark Griswold’s tendency to go overboard in his quest for adventure.

Every summer Chevy Chase takes his family on a little trip. This part of the tagline establishes that this is not an uncommon occurrence – the Griswolds are used to taking vacations together as a family. It also emphasizes Chevy Chase’s role as both star and comedic force behind the film.

This year he went too far. The second half of the tagline hints at some sort of recklessness or over-the-top behavior on Clark Griswold’s part. It also creates a sense of anticipation for the audience – what exactly did Clark do that was so outrageous?

The Legacy of National Lampoon’s Vacation

National Lampoon’s Vacation has become a beloved classic since its release in 1983. Its tagline perfectly captures the spirit of the film, which is a hilarious and relatable portrayal of a family vacation gone awry.

The movie spawned several sequels, including European Vacation, Christmas Vacation, and Vegas Vacation. It also inspired a television series and countless imitations in other films.

  • European Vacation (1985): The Griswolds take their mishaps overseas.
  • Christmas Vacation (1989): The family’s holiday plans go haywire.
  • Vegas Vacation (1997): The Griswolds head to Sin City for some fun in the sun.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, the tagline for National Lampoon’s Vacation is “Every summer Chevy Chase takes his family on a little trip. This year he went too far.”

It perfectly captures the spirit of the film and its protagonist Clark Griswold. Whether you’re watching it for the first time or revisiting it after years, National Lampoon’s Vacation remains an enduring classic that will have you laughing out loud.