In 1989, a movie was released that quickly became a holiday classic – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Starring Chevy Chase as the lovable but accident-prone Clark Griswold, the movie follows his attempts to create the perfect Christmas for his family, despite a series of mishaps and misadventures.
But why is it called National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation? To understand the name, we have to go back in time to the origins of the movie.
The Origins of National Lampoon
National Lampoon was a humor magazine that was published from 1970 to 1998. It was known for its irreverent and satirical take on American culture and politics.
In addition to its magazine, National Lampoon also produced a series of comedy albums, stage shows, and movies. Some of their most famous works include Animal House (1978) and Vacation (1983).
The Creation of Christmas Vacation
Christmas Vacation was the third movie in the Vacation series, following Vacation (1983) and European Vacation (1985). All three movies were based on stories written by John Hughes.
The original title for Christmas Vacation was actually “Christmas ’59,” as it was supposed to be set in the late 1950s. However, when director Jeremiah S. Chechik came on board, he decided to update the setting to modern times.
Chechik also wanted to make sure that audiences knew this was part of the same series as Vacation and European Vacation. That’s where National Lampoon comes in.
The Significance of National Lampoon
By attaching “National Lampoon” to the title of Christmas Vacation, Chechik was signaling to audiences that this was part of a larger franchise. It also helped establish a certain tone and style for the movie – one that was irreverent, satirical, and a little bit raunchy.
In fact, even though National Lampoon had nothing to do with the actual production of Christmas Vacation, their name alone was enough to give the movie a certain cachet and credibility.
The Legacy of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Today, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is considered a holiday classic. It’s beloved by audiences for its mix of slapstick humor and heartwarming moments.
The name “National Lampoon” has become almost synonymous with the movie itself. In fact, many people simply refer to it as “Christmas Vacation” without even realizing that it’s part of a larger franchise.
But for those in the know, the inclusion of “National Lampoon” in the title is a nod to the irreverent humor and satirical spirit that has made the series so enduringly popular.
- In conclusion, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is called so because it is part of a larger franchise that was known for its irreverent humor and satirical take on American culture. By including “National Lampoon” in the title, director Jeremiah S. Chechik was signaling to audiences that this was part of that same series.