National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) Reaction & Review! FIRST TIME WATCHING!!

[@44excalibur]

Randy Quaid's character, Eddie, is Clark's cousin by marriage and was introduced in the first Vacation movie from 1983, directed by Harold Ramis and written by John Hughes. You have to have seen the first movie to understand who cousin Eddie and his family are. Audiences who saw the first movie were pleasantly surprised to see the return of Eddie in this movie.

[@shanwatchesmovies]

I definitely have to watch the others!

[@DawkinsPlays]

I couldn't have been more surprised if I woke up with my head sewn to the floor.

[@zammmerjammer]

@@DawkinsPlays LOL. My absolute favourite line from the entire movie. ALWAYS makes me bust a gut laughing.

[@creech54]

@@shanwatchesmovies Don't spoil your memories of this and the first VACATION movie, by watching EUROPEAN VACATION and VEGAS VACATION.

[@Drawkcabi]

@Michael Scott I disagree! Vacation and Christmas Vacation are classics and great movies. European Vacation and Vegas Vacation are not as good but still entertaining and worth watching. The one to absolutely, unconditionally, definitely not watch is Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Getaway.

[@randomreviews4278]

One of the best Christmas movies you Should watch the whole vacation movies

[@woodedlane]

It's amazing how all of them are hits - Vegas Vacation no exception.

[@randomreviews4278]

@@woodedlane vegas Vacation was ok but have seen Christmas Vacation 2 Uncle Eddie's Island adventure

[@dabe1971]

17:55 Not actually Santa, it was Clarks lawn decoration forced airborne by the explosion. Cousin Eddie was introduced in the original Vacation film so he was known if you'd watched them in order. Aunt Bethany was played by the actress who voiced Betty Boop and Olive Oyl in early cartoons from 1931

[@peterschmidt4348]

My Family watches this movie every Christmas since 1990 ! It has become a Christmas tradition 🎄! THANKS for Your reaction 👍❤️!

[@shanwatchesmovies]

Thanks Peter and Merry Christmas!

[@redwithcoffee619]

Same! It's the best Christmas movie I swear🎄⛄

[@01lexus]

Same here, we watch Christmas Vacation and Christmas Story before or on Christmas, we have also been watching Funny Farm too, Polar Express is a good one too along with Home Alone.

[@chimpinaneckbrace]

“And you’re going to jail!” Eddie: “Pffff....”

[@jean-paulaudette9246]

One running gag in the films is that the kids are always played by different actors, and are chosen regardless to any established ages.

[@MAMoreno]

9:33 The moose cups are a reference to the original Vacation. Marty Moose is the Mickey Mouse of this fictional universe.

[@jean-paulaudette9246]

Well, I don't think they actually 'close' the state of Florida...

[@JohnnyDoesntCare]

I have those cups

[@FireTiger941]

You are one of the most professional movie reviewers on KZbin.

[@garylee3685]

Ferris Buellar and Breakfast Club were both directed by John Hughes. Mr. Shirley is Brian Doyle Murray, Bill's brother.

[@drakedge2000]

This is one of my fave Christmas movies of all time, and one of the few comedies that I crack up to everytime I watch it.

[@ggonzale69]

To my reactors: Thank you for helping me through a very isolating 2020. Your videos have been invaluable in getting through this year.

[@KevMcKean]

Merry Christmas, good sir. Also, Kingpin with Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid and Bill Murray is a great comedy.

[@howiedavis2316]

Shan it is great to see you genuinely laugh at a movie, this one truly is a classic and one of the best

[@DevilzFan]

This is a classic, but the first National Lampoons Vacation is one of the greatest comedies ever!

[@williamjamesrapp7356]

***CHICAGO*** the city is Chicago as most John Hughes films take place in or around the Windy City. In the first movie FAMILY VACATION they show them on a trip and an animated map and they leave from Chicago. I think they also make reference in here with air traffic control about Chicago O'HARE airport PLUS little RUSS is wearing a CHICAGO BLACK HAWKS Hockey Jersey ;) AND they show the JOHN HANCOCK Building entrance

[@TwistedSither]

The Vacation films are the reason why Randy Quaid is one of my favorite character actors. He's hilarious as Eddie.

[@shanwatchesmovies]

Definitely! My only exposure to Randy Quaid's work before seeing this was Independence Day lol

[@grigoriorifiel]

@@shanwatchesmovies If you like Westerns check out, The Long Riders (1980). It is based of the origins of Jesse James and the James/Younger gang. The all star cast includes brothers: Stacy and James Keach; David, Keith, and Robert Carradine; Dennis and Randy Quad; and Christopher and Nicholas Guest.

[@JayTor2112]

He's also good in Vegas Vacation, although that one as a whole is easily the worst Vacation movie, aside from the new remake. The first one is a must watch though, and the second one is OK.

[@terryv2006]

I’ve seen this movie maybe 6 times this year alone. I still smiled ear to ear watching you have a great time. Happy Holidays and all the best to you and your family.

[@totomomo18]

The actor who plays the boss is Bill Murray's brother. Please do Chevy chase Fletch movies (Not christmas movies) it is his best movies.

[@jean-paulaudette9246]

those were awesome...so many quotable lines.

[@3DJapan]

I personally live Chase's movie Modern Problems but nobody talks about it.

[@LadyIarConnacht]

And Funny Farm.

[@LadyIarConnacht]

I love this movie. It's so relatable to anybody with extended family.

[@bradleyelsken622]

Watching this movie at Christmas has been something of a tradition in my family for years. Always a classic BTW, the sexy department story clerk is none other than Martin Scorsese's daughter

[@footofjuniper8212]

Somebody made a Christmas decoration of a Clark mannequin hanging from their roof, and a bystander ran up from the street and tried to "rescue" it, thinking it was real. You can find security footage of it.

[@martinbraun1211]

Merry Christmas and stay healthy 🎄💜!

[@shanwatchesmovies]

Merry Christmas Martin!

[@annabetht4565]

I just found your channel and it’s so much fun watching movies with you!

[@JosieSchuller]

This movie is so much fun, I'm glad you liked it. I hope you someday get a chance to see some other National Lampoon movies like the first Vacation movie and Animal House, among others.

[@hypnos9336]

This is my go-to christmas movie that I have to watch every year

[@roubador]

The only problem with this being an introduction to the Vacation franchise is that not knowing the cousin Eddie character lessens the impact of his surprise appearance. As an audience member, not knowing who he is leaves you a little bit confused, and the joke is not as effective.

[@shanwatchesmovies]

I'll definitely have to watch the first two!

[@jackasswhiskyandpintobeans9344]

8:23 He plugged the electrical cords into a switchable circuit-the power to the outlet is controlled by the switch. Those are usually in a garage as in this movie or bathroom.

[@shainewhite2781]

Clark Griswold tries to have the perfect Christmas, but ends up being a living hell for himself and family.

[@shanwatchesmovies]

Indeed

[@jean-paulaudette9246]

There's a lot to love about this, but I think Clark punching the plastic santa may be my favorite.

[@jaytrace1006]

The lady that played the addled Aunt Bethany was the voice of Betty Boop in the cartoons back in the 1930s.

[@shanwatchesmovies]

That's for the trivia man!

[@Themanwithn0eyes]

Iirc she also voiced Olive Oyl from Popeye.

[@johndrews206]

And olive oyle in popeye

[@realitydrip3293]

Mr. Shirley is actually Bill Murray’s brother

[@01lexus]

He was in the original Vacation too.

[@Chanteuse66]

A little disappointed to not see your reaction to the infamous rant, but I just love hearing you laugh!

[@martinbraun1211]

Please watch "Funny Farm" with Chevy Chase from 1988 !

[@vanessacristine81]

Finally someone recommend that one.

[@01lexus]

Totally agree, Chevy Chase's best movie and it has a great Christmas theme at the end too.

[@thomassierzega5440]

Shan Watches Movies, I Love watching your reactions to movies! You’re one of the very best ! Keep up the great work! I’m a huge fan!

[@doreybain]

One Christmas when I was very young, we had a squirrel incident that was very close to the movie. The squirrel went nuts and was running along the walls and even the ceiling. The women were screaming and it was total chaos. I got a fishing net and chased the squirrel but only managed to knock every lamp over in the living room. My dad came up from the basement, calmly walked over to the front door and opened it. The squirrel immediately leaped out the open door. I gained real respect for my dad that day.

[@johnw8578]

I get squirrels now and again that come down my chimney. They evilly decide to break everything valuable (and breakable) and create chaos. Yep, I got to get the chimney cap fixed (the screen rusted out thus allowing the little critters to get in).

[@thomassierzega5440]

I’m a huge fan ! Keep up the great work! I love your reactions!

[@Mikesupr1]

I really enjoy your recognizing of actors, cause I do the same. Interesting is, that I never seen the whole movie in english, only in dubbing (In my native language are 3 different versions of dubbing of this movie) and when Beverly d'Angelo says "Welcome in our home" (11:08), in dubbing she says something like "Welcome in the ruins"...that always make me laugh.

[@dottdottdann7435]

You: Why am I laughing. Me: Cracking up too. Love your review. Subscribed.

[@3DJapan]

2:19 A recent episode of Stuntmen React on KZbin talked about this scene.

[@Trademarc1977]

Loved your reaction. Merry Christmas, Shan!

[@GrisouIII]

If you love Christmas Vacation, you’ll definitely love the original, Vacation!!!

[@deannacrownover3]

Merry Christmas and much love from Florida! (All of these movies are funny! You should try the American Pie series in the off season!)

[@shanwatchesmovies]

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[@frankficcle7081]

Just so you know, Jason doesn't get his hockey mask until Friday the thirteenth part three. A lot of people who haven't seen the film's before are often confused by that.

[@randall-king]

You might be interested to know that the Griswold house is on the Warner Bros. Ranch. Many movies and TV series were shot there, including I Dream of Jeannie, Dennis the Menace (1959), and the Friends opening credits sequence. The Griswold house was the main house in American Beauty. The snooty neighbors’ house is Officer Murtaugh’s house in the Lethal Weapon movies. Next door to the neighbors (on the other side) is the house from the Bewitched television series. The Bewitched house is also featured in Christmas Vacation in the flashback footage seen in the attic on the movie projector, as they shot those scenes there.

[@jackasswhiskyandpintobeans9344]

18:20 You could use that old chestnut that Holmes used to describe Lestrade "Workmanlike."

[@Smileybeeblevrox]

Scrooge (1970) musical with Albert Finney. A tear jerker with great songs. Only movie version that shows Christmas future sending him to Hell.

[@jackasswhiskyandpintobeans9344]

11:04 A "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," reference-Phoebe Cates.

[@gaptoothed]

The Griswald house and snowy neighborhood are actually on the backlot of the Warner Brothers Ranch in Burbank, just down the street from Warner Brothers Studios.

[@smittmasterflex]

I was 9 when this came out and my family would watch it every year at Christmas. "Shitter's full" always gets said here around Christmas.

[@blackguard8147]

From a person that grew up on a farm in the woods and wood cut down our owns Christmas trees. I still can't think of anyway he got that tree with out a saw, in the middle of a field of snow without a 4×4. It bugs the he'll out of me. He had to be super human to pull that off in a day. Love the movie. I want to know how they implied he did it.

[@kingscorpion7346]

ALL of the Vacation movies are about Clark doing his best to have quality time with the family, and everything always go so wrong until the very end! the first Vacation you have to see.

[@smittmasterflex]

Shan "Why am I laughing" because it's hilarious! :D

[@markodarkman1061]

Merry Christmas !!!! It's a Wonderful Life and A Shop Around the Corner are two classic Christmas movies you should watch.

[@minnesotajones261]

If you notice when the in-laws ring the door bell, it gets deeper and longer with each ring, sounding totally ominous at the last ring, or last bong...

[@allthingsgood8265]

14:06 swimming pool? It’s winter! Lol

[@jerflm0044]

Love me some Cousin Eddie - "Shitter was full" - LOL

[@JW666]

Just want to let you know that in every Vacation-movie the kids are played by different actors, in the 1st movie the son was played by a very young Anthony Michael Hall, in European Vacation the daughter was played by voice actress Dana Hill & in the 4th Las Vegas-movie the son was played by Ethan Embry. But both Chevy Chase & Beverly D'Angelo are in all the movies, they even had a small role in the horrendous reboot Vacation: Next Generation. Merry Christmas =)

[@knockoutking3764]

Did you notice in the beginning when their driving, he switches from driving on the right and left? Lol!!

[@prettypinkpopsicle]

When you say it's just a squirrel, have you ever had one come out of your Christmas tree in the house? It's just a squirrel when it's outside. Imagine opening your door and a squirrel is in your living room, you'd probably have a fit. I know I would!

[@roccaclassico9028]

Shan, it's a shame that you didn't watch the first "Vacation" film of the franchise before watching this. There are several callbacks to the original that make scenes in this one even funnier, especially in the tree farm trip sequence, the Cousin Eddie character, and the moose-horn glasses. I enjoyed watching your reaction & review.

[@randall-king]

I’ve seen this movie and Vacation dozens of times and never caught the moose connection.

[@nealsterling8151]

One of the funniest movies i'm aware of. We watch it every christmas.

[@tessesmom]

Happy Holidays Shan! 🎄🎉

[@anastasiasheniloff2512]

Hi Shan! Happy holidays and Merry Christmas to you too! Please watch Dunston Checks In 1996 and Dr. Doolittle!

[@shanwatchesmovies]

Merry Christmas to you too! I'll add them to the list!

[@anastasiasheniloff2512]

@@shanwatchesmovies thank you!

[@michaeloneill3421]

Happy Holidays Shan!

[@davidfischer8307]

You can't go wrong with John Hughes. The first Vacation is one of the best comedies of all time. Other than the first one and Christmas Vacation, I didn't care for the other films in the series. Enjoy the holidays!

[@StCerberusEngel]

Merry Christmas, Shan. Or whatever your local equivalent might be.

[@williamjones6031]

This is MY EVERY year Christmas movie.

[@chrishanbery4824]

I GUESS THE GRIZZWALDS GRAUATED FROM HOSTAGE 101

[@akacowboyfan]

The 1st and original National Lampoon's Vacation is a must!

[@EDKsurly]

The neighbors are "yuppies" and no one liked them.

[@zammmerjammer]

The set decorators must have had a blast putting their place together. It is PEAK 1980s yuppie.

[@Drawkcabi]

Came here in the comments to say this. This was the tail end of the 80's, the decade of excess, and just about everybody was sick of yuppies. I think Hughes factored that in as a given at that time.

[@ZombieLoyalist]

Thoroughly enjoying your content.

[@evhleppard]

Love this movie, so fun.

[@cmyFUfinger]

just found your page love it so far :)

[@Notsosweetstevia]

React to Vacation.

[@phj223]

Groundhog Day (1993) is another good holiday movie if you haven't seen it. :)

[@vonkroenen]

This is a great film, one of Chevy's best. Merry Christmas 👍🎄

[@strikesaber]

My favorite character was Mary (Nicolette Scorsese), I wish she had more scenes in this movie.

[@jimreichers7196]

Just light trains planes and automobiles, I watch this movie every year around the holidays, it's a family tradition

[@drchaos2000]

definitely the best "grisworld" movie... and one of my holyday favorites

[@simoliz03]

Merry Christmas!

[@biguy617]

The Fletch movies are very funny and Caddyshack 1 is hilarious. There is a running gag in all the vacation movies to that they cast different young actors to play the children. The boy that plays Rusty in this movie grows up to be in The Big Bang Theory as Leonard. In the first Vacation movie he was played by Anthony Michael Hall who is the lead in The Dead Zone TV show.

[@victorfatalys1076]

Nice reaction and analysis, you should watch the first movie to understand the surprise Clark has seeing Cousin Eddie, beside the fact it is hilarious as well. National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) Followed by National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985) and after Christmas Vacation, Vegas Vacation in 1997. And then there was the remake Vacation (2015) which I find pretty fine, given all the weak remakes they do nowadays, it was a pleasant surprise...

[@jeffschubach2362]

My favorite Chevy Chase movies are "Foul Play," "Seems Like Old Times" and "Modern Problems."

[@grigoriorifiel]

Merry Christmas to all!

[@mikemath9508]

I was 30 the first time I saw national lampoons Animal House in 2019 comedy is my favorite genre it's in my top 5 comedies of all time. i keep teasing myself by not rewatching it when i want to. maybe in 2024.

[@Jeff-jd3vl]

The older lady, Bethany, used to do the voice for the original Betty boop cartoon from the 1950s.

[@3DJapan]

A couple of parts make more sense if you've seen the original Vacation first but it's not really too bad. One funny thing is that in each Vacation movie the kids are played by different actors.

[@bloodyfishheads3316]

The slapstick was a bit much but the interaction between the family was brilliant, especially Uncle Lewis and Aunt Bettany.

[@johnw8578]

Chevy Chase is King of the Pratfall.

[@davidbennett1357]

I CANNOT BELIEVE that you cut out the part where the asshole neighbor asks Clark where he's gonna put a tree that big and Clark says "bend over and I'll show you...." THAT is one of the ICONIC LINES!!!!!

[@biguy617]

The old man who burns the tree did the voice of the mad scientist from Nightmare Before Christmas. The actress that plays the old woman did the voice of Betty Boop and I believe Rocky from the Rocky and Bullwinkle Cartoons.

[@MichaelRojhay]

Happy Holidays bro

[@shanwatchesmovies]

Happy Holidays to you too my man!

[@donaldgilbert6739]

The boss is Bill Murry's brother!

[@tokyochannel2020]

Vacation (1983), Christmas Vacation (1989) and Vegas Vacation (1995) are my favorites. European vacation not my favorite but okay, and the 2015 "Vacation" not watchable.

[@allthingsgood8265]

17:44 now that’s what I call explosive diarrhea. I guess. Lol

[@PerfectHandProductions]

Jason doesn't get the iconic hockey mask until Friday the 13th part 3, if I recall.

[@unclelink]

According to the Corridor Crew, the car under the truck stunt was done in one take. Both drivers practiced a lot prior. You should check out their Stuntmen reacts series! They had the late great Chadwick Boseman's stunt double on their a couple of times. How come Reindeer Games get no love? I think it's a cool action Christmas movie!

[@niccage6375]

You should do caddyshack. It has chevy chase and bill murray in it.

[@tokyochannel2020]

Chevy Chase just did a remake of the house lighting scene for a tv commercial lol.

[@lewis9702]

15:03 - To be honest, I'd probably freak if a squirrel was in my house. Those things are filthy and they've been known to carry rabies.

[@jamesfalvey77]

If that thing had 9 lives, she just spent them all........ classic!!!!! Lmao