NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION is glorious absurdity!

Kicking off Ames-mas with this classic! Glad to share some laughs with you all!
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ames
Original Movie: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favour of fair use. No Copyright infringement intended. All rights belong to their respective owners.

[@holddowna]

Make sure to enter the Movie Posters Give Away! Link in description Box! And here is a link to my Patreon if you want to access Full Length Watch Alongs! patreon.com/HoldDownA

[@valleygg79]

Christmas Vacation came out in 1989 so Clark watching reels of Christmas in 1955 (34 years earlier) is the same time difference as us watching Christmas Vacation now in 2023.

[@robertnichol3669]

fun fact...Aunt Bethany was played by Mae Questel....the actor who voiced Betty Boop from the old Max Fleischer cartoons. And Olive Oyl from the Popeye ones...in case the voice sounded somewhat familiar.

[@davidbennett1357]

As several others have pointed out, the first two vacation films are definitely worth your time, Ames. This one is a holiday staple in my world, and I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

[@daletaylor5589]

Yes ma’am you’re pretty much obligated to watch the others after the Holidays.

[@holddowna]

Hahha I’ll watch em! I just always heard of this so I was eager to see it for Xmas!

[@fast_mattw8059]

@@holddownahell yeah! European Vacation is a classic and Vegas Vacation was extremely fun and im glad they released that one. All very funny for their own reasons 🤣🤣 Which means you have 3 more to do yayyyy hahaha

[@davidbennett1357]

@@holddowna Ames have you watched Violent Night? One of my friends just saw it on friday night and said that he liked it. A Kris Kringle take on the die hard concept, apparently…..

[@xjoemallardx]

​@@davidbennett1357it's sick!

[@LukeLovesRose]

Christmas Vacation is one of the greatest holiday movies ever made, a true classic.

[@tonyrichards254]

The moose mugs are a callback to the first movie, where they take a road trip to a theme park with a moose mascot.

[@holddowna]

Cool!

[@nutterbuttergutter]

Wally World

[@404ServerError]

I love the Gambit (the Cajun himself) action figure in the back.

[@ragabashmoon1551]

Lst week at Walmart I saw an actual station wagon with a huge tree tied to the top roots and all fully decorated and lit up with a sign in the windows that said "Are you serious, Clark?" so it was obviously an absolute bonkers fan of this movie tributing it for the holidays. So amazing!

[@nutterbuttergutter]

I love seeing people doing stuff like that. I saw something like that but with a perfect replica of the mystery machine from Scooby Doo.

[@CurtisOnYoutube]

This is such a classic, it’s my mom’s favourite. I think we are slated to watch it together on Christmas Eve lol always at least once a year. Home alone 1 and 2 I think are still my two top. But this still has to be in my top 5 lol.

[@PBrannon86]

Mae Questel, who was Aunt Bethany, was a voice actress. She voiced Betty Boop and Olive Oyl, among many others.

[@holddowna]

Love that! I know Betty boop best from Who Framed Roger Rabbit!

[@MasterBiffPudwell]

My annual Christmas Eve tradition is having a steak supper, then a fine imported cigar and a glass of rye whisky while watching Christmas Vacation. That has been my tradition pretty much since the film came out.

[@holddowna]

I love that!!!!

[@alfredfishFeet6132]

The guy who plays cousin Eddy actually lives like cousin eddy lol

[@SFOlson]

I absolutely love the “If I had a rubber hose, I’d beat you….” line, and still use it jokingly with my dad and friends every now and then.

[@pleasantvalleypickerca7681]

Fun fact I remember reading that Chevy actualy broke his foot when he kicked Santa but being a pro he got through the scene.

[@holddowna]

Such a pro! God that musta hurt!

[@dynamodan8216]

"Shittin bricks" "You shouldn't use that word" "Sorry, shittin rocks" I am adopting her tonight, I don't care what the rules are.

[@holddowna]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@davidmc1489]

Glad you are getting to enjoy this Christmas gem....been an instant classic since 1989.

[@m_v__m_v]

The boss that was also in Wayne's World is Bryan Doyle-Murray, Bill Murray's older brother. He appears in alot of Bill's movies too.

[@holddowna]

I love it!

[@joemckim1183]

Brian is actually the way he spells his name but that's just a minor detail. He was also the mayor in Groundhog Day.

[@jen6879]

Took me ages to realise he was also the campsite owner in the first Vacation movie.

[@peach-panther]

This wasn’t that good of a movie as a kid but I remember my dad loving it and watching it every year. It has become one of my top favorite Christmas films next to its a Wonderful Life.

[@davidanderson1639]

Loved this film since I first saw it & watch this every year; & yes I have a Wally World Eggnog glass (always minus the Eggnog 🤢). Fun Fact: Mae Questel, who played Aunt Bethany was also known for providing the voices for the animated characters Betty Boop (from 1931) and Olive Oyl (from 1933). Questel reprised her role as Betty Boop one last time in Who Framed Roger Rabbit & her last non-voice appearance was as Aunt Bethany.

[@CPP1999]

Ever since I can remember my family and I would and still do watch this movie every Christmas Eve. Sometimes my dad and I will jokingly say dialogue😂 “She falls down a well, her eyes go crossed. Gets kicked by a mule, they go back to normal…I don’t know.”🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Michael-dt9lo]

Clark's boss is Bill Murray's brother Brian Doyle Murray. He has small roles in a lot of his brother's movies like Groundhog's Day and Caddyshack, Scrooged, etc.

[@bossfan49]

Brian wrote Caddyshack. My favorite roles of his (besides Noah Vanderhoff like Ames mentioned) are Jack Ruby in JFK, and the father in the "Bubble Boy" episode of Seinfeld.

[@petermonteleone8153]

This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies and I actually just found out today that there's allegedly a really funny post-credits deleted scene.... it's the neighbors lying in bed reflecting on everything that's happened, but they're safe now because Christmas is over and there's nothing more Griswold can do to them when suddenly the flying, flaming Santa with his reindeers barrels through their window into their bedroom. You have no idea how much time I've spent today looking up that clip on the internet and can't find it anywhere LOL

[@BAW12547]

Just some trivia for you After failing to get the Christmas lights to work one last time, Clark Griswold takes his frustration out on the plastic decorations in the front yard. Chevy Chase actually broke his pinky finger while punching Santa Claus. He resorts to kicking and clubbing the decorations after that. The film kept rolling, and the take was used.

[@muchachonextdoor5608]

Christmas Vacation is on the Mt Rushmore of Christmas movies. A must watch every December. Such a fun movie with so many great one liners.

[@fettfan91]

One of the all-time Christmas classics, makes me crack up every time!

[@holddowna]

🤣

[@meanmax9663]

One of my favorite scenes is where the cops come busting in & tell them to freeze. Clark has his hands raised and Ellen is bent over at Clark's waist with one arm around him and cupping his "junk" with the other. She removes her hand to shake hands, then cups him again. So many people miss that, but I can't watch it & not focus on it, it's just really funny to me.

[@schmidtBoise]

"I dont KNOW Margo!" I still use this answer today when someone asks a dumb question.

[@holddowna]

I love it I gotta use it!

[@aaronwolf3587]

This movie reminds of a time when people weren’t cancelled for being offensive, lol, great reaction. Long live simple comedy and people that can take a joke. Childhood favorite of mine. ✌️

[@CronoCarGuy]

There was supposed to be a in credit scene where the flaming Santa and reindeer crashed through the roof of the neighbors house. Todd and Margo were supposed to be laying in bed relaxing saying how at least Christmas couldn't get any worse and BAM Santa through the roof.

[@kellypatterson8506]

The brother is Johnny Gaelic otherwise known as Leonard in The Big Bang Theory. This is probably my personal favorite Christmas movie I can identify with several parts of it Lake where is watching the heat millimeter films in attic and the house lighting and of course his epic rant at the end of the movie is killer

[@holddowna]

Thanks for watching!

[@bossfan49]

*Galecki, not Gaelic

[@mikeljenks]

The moose mugs are a reference to the first National Lampoon Vacation movie.

[@holddowna]

Cool! Gotta watch!

[@anthonys.8569]

Definitely my favorite Christmas film ever. Lots of family memories watching this one for sure.

[@nutterbuttergutter]

Same. My Christmas each year just doesn’t feel right if I don’t see it at least once.

[@CptJackmoto.]

the more I get older the more I associate myself with clark lmao

[@Pokyhawk]

The boss in this movie (the guy from "Wayne's World") is Brian Doyle-Murray, the brother of one of Chevy's SNL co-stars Bill Murray. He pops up in a lot of movies with and without his brother (usually comedies). He also has small parts in other movies with Chevy including the original "Vacation", "Caddyshack" and "Modern Problems" just to name my three favs.

[@DeliaHale-oy2vh]

The first one is absolutely hilarious. Your laugh is contagious.

[@jacobwalsh1888]

Something I never thought about as a kid, but realized after working as a contractor, when the extension ladder collapses, if his fingers had been in the wrong spot it would have sheared them off like a guillotine.. Never happened on a job I was on, but I've seen safety videos of it happening. Now when I see that part it makes me wince every time lol.

[@devoncooper8296]

I’m glad you appreciated the chaos of the treasure! My whole Entire huge family can recite this word for word. We watch it every thanksgiving to start off the season. It’s a tradition!

[@J4ME5_]

that turkey scene kills me everytime ... omg

[@scooterinvegas1]

If you didn't recognize him, Rusty is played by Johnny Galecki, he was also Leonard on Big bang Theory.

[@rabbithole9555]

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation..😮 isn't the first and Best of the vacation movies, but like moss it grows on ya and after the endless time you see it on tv.. your mind is firmly planted in it enjoying it more and more every time it's on. lol. I saw it in theatre too, liked it, didn't love it, but now enjoy it lots more. ✌️🌞🌟💞💫

[@JeremyAustin-hw1qy]

My wife and I love this movie and most people see this every Christmas

[@holddowna]

Yes! I hear that! And finally watched it!

[@JeremyAustin-hw1qy]

@@holddowna glad you did

[@Believer-dv4eu]

I can’t get enough of this one. I laugh every time as if it’s my first time.

[@philmullineaux5405]

Hes done some great underrated movies. Cops and Robersons, fletch, Invisible Man, a couple with Goldie Hawn and Demi Moore, etc.

[@LukeLovesRose]

Funny enough, Christmas Vacation is written by John Hughes, the same writer of Home Alone.

[@ircjesselee]

16:28 I've seen this 100 times and Eddie's sister comment didn't creep me out until now..

[@williamsummerson1204]

Loved the reaction Ames. One of my favorite Christmas movies ever, Chevy Chase is a legend. 🎅🌲

[@ShatteredTrousers]

Hi, Ames, This is the first video I've watched on your channel, and I really enjoyed it. I want to compliment your editor who is totally on point, especially when pulling movie dialogue to play over your reaction. "At this point I can't even see the nuts," had me howling. Have a happy holiday season!

[@j.woodbury412]

Saturday Night Live cast member who appeared in this movie: Chevy Chase (Clark Griswold) Randy Quaid (Cousin Eddie) Brian Doyle-Murray (Frank Shirley- He's the older brother of Bill Murray, who was also a cast member of Saturday Night Live) Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Margo Chester, the next door neighbor- Her boyfriend, Todd was played by Nicholas Guest, the brother of Christopher Guest, another cast member of Saturday Night Live)

[@holddowna]

Love this

[@bossfan49]

Brief resume of Clark's boss played by Brian Doyle-Murray. Yes, he was Noah Vanderhoff in Wayne's World. Brian is Bill Murrays (and Joel Murray) older brother. Brian was a writer for National Lampoon's Radio Hour in the early 70s along with Chevy Chase. In 1975 they both went to the newly created SNL as writers, and he later joined the stage cast for the '80 and '81 seasons. Brian wrote the classic 1980 comedy Caddyshack and played a secondary character in the film. (Chevy Chase and brother Bill were 2 of the main characters). Brian also had a small role in the first Vacation film and many others including several with Bill Murray (Scrooged, The Razor's Edge, Ghostbusters II, Groundhog Day) Another notable role was as Jack Ruby in JFK (1991).

[@thebrhinocerous]

There is a lot of useless trivia for this movie, but my favorite is that the woman who played Aunt Bethany (Mae Questel...RIP) was the voice actress for Betty Boop and Olive Oyl (from Popeye), amongst others. She did Broadway and on-screen acting as well. She got the Betty Boop role because she would impersonate Helen Kane, whom the Betty Boop character was inspired by (and going further back, "Baby Esther," where Helen Kane got some inspiration as well). If you know this and you listen to Aunt Bethany's voice, you'll hear it very easily.

[@LeighMet]

The son is also the lenord in the Big Bang Theory. Its his cousin in law her family.

[@travismans400]

Ya know Rus is the same actor that played Leonard in Big Bang Theory

[@SpiritualHolyWars]

This house among a bunch of others that were filmed in movies and on tv shows for decades are on the Warner Bros Ranch which is supposed to be demolished and probably at this time have been. I think they started demo this fall. So its gone now.

[@NYUK-x-4]

I heard about that

[@redbelli8297]

This is definitely a tradition...glad to see your reaction!

[@clutchpedalreturnsprg7710]

Hello Hold Down A, Merry Christmas. " Play Ball! " " Hey! "

[@jescis0]

I just watched your video on the movie "It's A Wonderful Life" and my favorite part of this movie is when he's looking out of the kitchen window and visualizing a pool and my favorite song "Mele Kalikimaka" by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters, I know the song very well and I have the Decca and MCA version of the same Lp with the song on it… Bing Crosby's "Marry Christmas"…

[@hencefernande721]

Reading the comments section, I'm glad my family's not the only one who watches this movie every year. 😅

[@paulfrank8738]

Thank you for this. Watching you laugh at this movie brightened up my day 🙂

[@88wildcat]

So much of this movie is callbacks to the first one. Relative's pet getting killed, station wagon wrecked with kids ending up in the front seat, family singing while on road trip, SWAT team arresting the family only to let them go after their victim refuses to press charges, SWAT team celebrating with family after releasing them, half there old aunt, this is our family's first joke line.

[@holddowna]

Ok cool! I haven’t seen the others so maybe I shoulda seen them first haha always wanted to watch this so it was a pick of mine for December!

[@kevinehle6637]

The original National Lampoon Vacation movie is an absolute classic. The OG of road trip comedies. The Griswald origin story.😂

[@joemckim1183]

Vegas Vacation while not as good as Vacation or Christmas Vacation was pretty decent for what it was.

[@canman87]

My favorite moment in the whole movie is this exchange in the car: Rusty: Dad, you want an Aspirin or something? Clark: DON'T TOUCH!!!!!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@jmillz666]

Is that a Rucking Fotten shirt? Love it!!

[@HonRevPTB]

So glad you liked this!!! One of my best memories ever is taking my little sister to the theater when this first came out and I just got my license and we laughed hysterically!!!!!!!

[@rbrtck]

"He's got a dark side to him." You need to watch the original movie in this franchise, _National Lampoon's Vacation_ (1983), if you really want to see Clark's dark side. It has a fun opening song, too, and if the crazed look on Chevy Chase's face when Clark is losing it isn't burned into your brain yet, it will be. 😆

[@michaelschroeck2254]

Yeah slowly it dawned on me she had not seen the first vacation movie!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣👍🏻👍🏻

[@holddowna]

I HAD NOT I just wanted to watch this didn’t really realize it was a tril

[@alexspindler1]

So glad you enjoyed this. The first one is a bona fide classic and I have a special place in my heart for Vegas Vacation even though it's not nearly as strong. You'll likely enjoy a good deal of Chevy Chase's movies. He's got a signature style of comedy. He's also amazing in the TV show Community.

[@goldenager59]

May your holidays be nowhere near as chaotic as the Griswold's. My thanks for inviting me along for the jolly old ride...and as a practical expression (plus holiday gift), here is my subscription. 😉

[@kenfreeman8888]

Glad you enjoyed this movie.

[@jonathanross149]

A lot of national forests will give you a permit to cut your own Christmas tree

[@catiabotelho5845]

This is one of my favourite Christmas movie.

[@rbrtck]

The unusual moose-shaped cups are a reference to something in the first movie.

[@katiesivak7122]

Love your channel. Happy holidays

[@leniobarcelos1770]

12:49 Those moose mugs are a little souvenir and callback to the first movie, which I also recommemd watching sometime.

[@holddowna]

I will!

[@jakebreaker]

My holiday season has been quite lovely, thank you. :)

[@michaeladundon]

I love this film so much. Even more since I realised Rusty is Leonard from Big Bang Theory 😂

[@holddowna]

Totally! I haven’t seen that show but I know him from Roseanne

[@zmarko]

Have you seen the original Vacation? Epic family road trip film.

[@holddowna]

I haven’t! I blew it

[@zmarko]

@holddowna lmao. Nah, Christmas Vacation is pretty much stand alone. I mean there's a tiny bit of "oh no" in Christmas Vacation if you've seen Vacayltion, but definitely not necessary. Vacation is definitely worth checking out sometime though.

[@quixote6942]

SANTA STRUCK BACK: When Chevy Punched Santa, he actually broke a finger!

[@holddowna]

Really!

[@MrJonnydanger]

The guy from Wayne's World is Bill Murray's brother Brian. He's great 😁 Bonus fact - Crazy cat lady Aunt Bethany is Betty Boop

[@skylartagliabue4194]

So those of you that didn't know, Russ is actually played by the same guy that played Leonard off of Big Bang Theory.

[@skylartagliabue4194]

@MyTELE-GRAMNAMEHoldDownA if you haven't seen the other vacation movies, Russ is played by a different person but the movies are so good. I especially liked the Vegas Vacation. But Vacation is great if you haven't seen it.

[@DeltaDragon79]

"He has a wire loose" In more ways than one.

[@welcometothemovies9157]

That ladder slide down happened to me lol

[@jamin7474]

when clark was looking out the window fantasizing its a throwback to a scene from Fast Times at Ridgemont High which would be cool to see you react to

[@holddowna]

Oh cool! Prob why I didn’t get it hahha

[@guymelton1094]

Great one , thanks for sharing 😊

[@holddowna]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@ThatSchmoGuy]

Another good Chevy Chase film is called "Fletch"

[@holddowna]

Thanks!

[@randall-king]

I think Fletch is Chevy Chase at his best.

[@michaelallen3894]

Yes Russ is Johnny Galeki from Roseanne and Big Bang Theory.

[@ZacharyCusanelli]

Great reaction videos. I like how you do rapid fire comments, great editing and you're a joy to watch. 👍

[@STOCKHOLM07]

Mom? This box is meowing.

[@michaelbriefs9764]

Ames! Christmas Vacation is not "timeless" since it's SO freaking 80's (God love it) but, to this day, I will never forget seeing it in the theaters and laughing almost to death at that sled/saucer scene! That really is one of the funniest scenes in any Chevy Chase film I have ever seen! Hilarious! Hey, did I hear you say you are going to react to "It's a Wonderful Life" this year?? I would love to see that reaction! Have you really never seen it? It's the BEST Christmas movie (along with some of the classic versions of "A Christmas Carol" out there) ever!! Let me know if IAWL is on for this year! You will love it!

[@Awesomeman14]

National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation! I Gamble like Rusty

[@bossfan49]

Is that right, Mr. Papagiorgio?

[@Awesomeman14]

@@bossfan49 my mom calls me that

[@Awesomeman14]

@@bossfan49 1st time I Gambled hit the I got the Jackpot on the hangover machine on the 3rd try

[@jd-zr3vk]

A fake turtleneck is called, I kid you not, a dickie. (No written jokes are required. The humor writes itself).

[@greeneyesinfl9954]

The guy that plays Chevy's boss is Brian Doyle Murray Bill Murray's brother, He's also in Caddyshack.

[@guitarman8462]

The boss in " Christmas Vacation " is also in " Caddyshack "

[@richbarnes5673]

For those who don't know or realize, Russ (the son) is played by Johnny Galecki, or Leonard from the Big Bang Theory.

[@sspdirect02]

Chris Columbus (Director of Home Alone) was supposed to direct this film but apparently he and Chevy Chase didn’t get along at all. So he backed out and John Hughes gave him the script of Home Alone.

[@rbrtck]

Ellen doesn't notice everything Clark does wrong because she's used to it, and frankly, since she's still married to him at this point (this is the third movie in this franchise), she must be some kind of saint or just naturally oblivious.

[@bradywagner3696]

It's funny you bring up Roseanne with the actor that plays Russ. It is indeed Johnny Galecki who portrays David Healy on Roseanne and Leonard on The Big Bang Theory.

[@niftymagic]

After you take a break from Band of Brothers I highly recommend Taking Chance with Kevin Bacon, it’s a real take on escorting a KIA military member back to his home.

[@RoGueNavy]

I was watching another reaction to this movie last night, and midway through watching that reaction, the actual movie came on AMC!

[@holddowna]

Hahaha! That’s great timing!

[@darrengibbs4288]

The moose mugs were a throwback to the original Vacation movie where the whole family went cross country to Wallyworld. Any Big Bang Theory fans will recognize the son, its Leonard (Johnny Galeki)

[@j.woodbury412]

How do they take the lights down after the holidays? I doubt Clark even thought that far ahead.

[@holddowna]

Ur so right

[@mikeyarrington18]

NO CHEVY CHASE! Right now go watch The Three Amigos also starring Steve Martin and Martin Short.

[@NYUK-x-4]

Im worried that shes never seen planes trains and automobiles

[@mikeyarrington18]

@@NYUK-x-4 Let whatever higher power is out there bless her soul.