If you are a fan of the iconic holiday classic “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” then you have likely wondered about the filming locations for some of its most memorable scenes. One scene in particular that stands out is the moment when Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, finally gets his massive Christmas tree home, only to have it burst through his living room window. But where was this scene actually filmed?
After some research, we can confirm that the Christmas Vacation tree scene was filmed at a real house located in Burbank, California. The house used for filming is located at 2905 Olney Place and has become somewhat of a landmark for fans of the movie.
The house itself is a beautiful colonial-style home with a classic white exterior and black shutters. It perfectly captures the all-American look that Clark Griswold was going for with his over-the-top Christmas decorations.
To make this scene come to life, a massive tree was actually brought in and installed inside the house. The tree itself weighed over 3500 pounds and stood at an impressive 30 feet tall! It was rigged to fall through the window using an elaborate pulley system, which required careful coordination between the actors and crew members.
In addition to this unforgettable scene, several other scenes from “Christmas Vacation” were also filmed in Burbank. This includes the exterior shots of Clark’s workplace, which were filmed at Warner Bros Studios in Burbank.
If you are planning to visit Burbank and want to see some of these iconic filming locations for yourself, be sure to add 2905 Olney Place to your list! Although it is a private residence and not open to public tours or visits, you can still snap some photos from outside and soak up all the holiday cheer from one of your favorite movies.
In conclusion, while many movies use sets or sound stages to create their memorable scenes, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” opted for a real-life home in Burbank, California to bring the Christmas tree scene to life. It just goes to show that sometimes, the best locations are the ones that are already right in front of us!