If you’re a fan of the classic Christmas movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” you’ve probably noticed a peculiar scene where a wrapped-up cat makes an appearance. The scene has caused confusion and speculation among viewers over the years, leaving many to wonder who exactly wrapped up the poor cat. In this article, we’ll dive into the mystery and try to uncover the truth behind this bizarre moment.
The Scene
The scene takes place during the Griswold family’s chaotic Christmas celebration. After a string of mishaps, including a tree catching fire and a squirrel causing havoc in their home, the family sits down for dinner.
As they say grace, Aunt Bethany asks her husband to recite it for them. Unbeknownst to them, he begins reciting the Pledge of Allegiance instead.
As chaos ensues once again, a wrapped-up present suddenly falls from the top of their Christmas tree. Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) picks it up and realizes that it’s moving. He frantically unwraps it to reveal a horrified-looking cat with its eyes bulging out.
Theories
Over the years, there have been many theories about who wrapped up the cat in “Christmas Vacation.” One popular theory is that it was Aunt Bethany (played by Mae Questel). This theory stems from her earlier comment about wrapping up her cat as a gift for her nephew.
However, this theory doesn’t quite add up when you take into account Aunt Bethany’s age and forgetfulness throughout the movie. It seems unlikely that she would have remembered to wrap up her cat and place it on top of their Christmas tree.
Another theory is that Uncle Lewis (played by William Hickey) may have wrapped up the cat as payback for his wife getting electrocuted by Clark’s Christmas lights earlier in the movie. While this theory is a bit more plausible, there’s no solid evidence to support it.
The Truth
So, who really wrapped up the cat in “Christmas Vacation”? The answer may surprise you: it was actually the film’s art director, John Muto. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Muto revealed that he came up with the idea while decorating his own Christmas tree.
“I thought it would be funny if there was a dead cat wrapped up in Christmas paper,” Muto said. “So I drew it on a piece of paper and showed it to [director] Jeremiah Chechik, and he laughed and put it in the script.”
While the scene may be controversial among animal lovers, it has become a memorable moment in cinematic history. And now, thanks to John Muto’s creativity, we finally know who wrapped up the cat in “Christmas Vacation.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the mystery of who wrapped up the cat in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” has been solved. While there were many theories floating around over the years, it turns out that it was actually the film’s art director who came up with the idea. Regardless of how you feel about the scene itself, there’s no denying that it has become an iconic moment in holiday movie history.