Where Was the Department Store Scene in Christmas Vacation Filmed?
If you’re a fan of the classic holiday movie, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” you likely remember the scene where Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) takes his family on a shopping spree at a department store. But have you ever wondered where that scene was filmed?
The Scene
In the scene, Clark and his family visit a crowded department store to do some last-minute Christmas shopping. As they navigate through the chaos, they encounter various mishaps and comedic moments. The scene culminates in an epic battle for the last remaining Christmas present.
The Film Location
The department store scene in “Christmas Vacation” was filmed at the former Marshall Field’s flagship store on State Street in Chicago, Illinois. The building is an iconic landmark in downtown Chicago and was a perfect setting for the chaotic holiday shopping scene.
Marshall Field’s was a popular department store chain that operated from 1852 to 2006 when it was acquired by Macy’s. The State Street location opened in 1907 and quickly became known as one of the most luxurious department stores in the country.
Renovations for Filming
In order to film the department store scene for “Christmas Vacation,” several renovations had to be made to the State Street location. The interior of the store was transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with festive decorations and holiday-themed merchandise.
The escalators were also temporarily removed from their original location and placed in a different part of the store to accommodate filming. This allowed for more space and better camera angles during filming.
Filming Challenges
Despite these renovations, filming at Marshall Field’s was not without its challenges. The store remained open to the public during filming, which meant that the cast and crew had to work around shoppers and employees.
Additionally, the scene required a large number of extras, which made it difficult to coordinate and manage the crowd. To make matters worse, the weather in Chicago during filming was unseasonably warm, which made it difficult to create a believable winter atmosphere.
The Legacy
Despite these challenges, the department store scene in “Christmas Vacation” is now considered one of the most iconic moments in holiday movie history. It perfectly captures the chaos and stress of holiday shopping while also providing plenty of laughs along the way.
- So, next time you watch “Christmas Vacation,” be sure to appreciate the creativity and hard work that went into creating this unforgettable scene at Marshall Field’s on State Street.
Now that you know where this iconic scene from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” was filmed, you can appreciate it even more when you watch it this holiday season.