If you’re a fan of the classic comedy movie National Lampoon’s Vacation, you might remember the character Aunt Edna. In the movie, Aunt Edna is the elderly and cantankerous aunt of Clark Griswold’s wife, Ellen. The Griswold family is on a cross-country road trip to Walley World, and Aunt Edna is along for the ride.
Who Plays Aunt Edna?
Aunt Edna is played by actress Imogene Coca. Coca was a well-known comedian and actress in her time, best known for her work on Your Show of Shows alongside Sid Caesar.
Why Is Aunt Edna Important to the Movie?
Aunt Edna plays an important role in National Lampoon’s Vacation, even though she only appears in a handful of scenes. Her character adds an extra layer of chaos and stress to an already chaotic and stressful family vacation.
- Aunt Edna is ungrateful
- Aunt Edna isn’t afraid to speak her mind
- Aunt Edna has a beloved dog that causes problems
Aunt Edna Is Ungrateful
When the Griswolds arrive at Aunt Edna’s house to pick her up for the trip, she complains about everything from their tardiness to their choice of vehicle. She even insults Ellen’s cooking before they’ve even left the driveway.
Aunt Edna Isn’t Afraid to Speak Her Mind
Throughout the trip, Aunt Edna makes snarky comments and complains about everything from the heat to Clark’s driving. She even insults Clark’s parenting skills when he disciplines his son Rusty.
Aunt Edna Has a Beloved Dog That Causes Problems
To make matters worse, Aunt Edna brings her beloved dog on the trip. The dog causes a number of problems, including biting Clark and causing the Griswolds to get kicked off a plane.
What Happens to Aunt Edna?
In one of the most memorable scenes in National Lampoon’s Vacation, the Griswolds realize that Aunt Edna has died in her sleep. They strap her body to the roof of their car and continue on their journey.
Clark Tries to Return Aunt Edna’s Dog
Before they leave her body at a funeral home, Clark tries to return Aunt Edna’s dog to her home. However, he finds that she had already given the dog away.
Conclusion
Aunt Edna may not have been a major character in National Lampoon’s Vacation, but she certainly made an impact. Her ungratefulness, outspokenness, and beloved pet added an extra layer of chaos to an already chaotic family vacation. And while her death may have been played for laughs in the movie, it also served as a reminder that life is unpredictable and that family is important.