The 1989 comedy “ National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” from Warner Bros. was directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik with the screenplay written by John Hughes. Starring: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, John Randolph, Diane Ladd, E.G. Marshall, Doris Roberts, Randy Quaid, Miriam Flynn, Cody Burger, Ellen Hamilton Latzen, William Hickey, Mae Questel and Sam McMurray.

This insanely funny tale of mishaps and hysteria from National Lampoon has become a modern classic of how things can go terribly wrong when families get together for the holidays even with the best intentions. But through it all the optimism of the Griswold family is what makes this Christmas vacation film so hilarious. Clark and Ellen Griswold are a perfect match as the husband and wife that continue to be amazed at the mishaps that seem to occur during the simplest incidents.

Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) and his family have taken vacations all over the world and even though they were all complete disasters, the Griswold family survived them. This year, they have decided to play it safe and stay home to enjoy a warm family Christmas with all of the trimmings.

Ellen Griswold (Beverly D’Angelo) is excited about being home for the holidays, thinking that nothing could possible go wrong but little does she know what Clark has in mind to make this Christmas the most spectacular vacation that she and the children have ever had.

No Yuletide season would be complete without family and even though Clarke has invited some of his dysfunctional relatives to come for dinner all of Clark and Ellen’s hopes for a quiet holiday go south with the arrival the unconventional relatives who decide to drop in unannounced and uninvited.

As one by one all of Clark’s plans become exercises in disaster, Clark remains committed to decorating the house with the biggest tree in the forest and enough lights to illuminate a city block. But during the family dinner which is almost inedible, the hilarious state of affairs becomes deadly when the cat becomes entangled in the Christmas tree lights and loses all of its nine lives as a result.

But when all is said and done, the comedy does have its soft spot and the Griswold family provide a good example of how to celebrate the holidays in the best of spirits no matter how many obstacles present themselves.

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