Matt Connarton Unleashed: Erich Pilcher reviews National Lampoon's Vacation.

0:11 This summer. When you think vacation, think National Lampoon's vacation. See the Real America. Hey Underfans, Hey yellow what it's friendly? Okay, I'm okay. Don't you want to look at the Grand Carrier. It's educational, great, and most of all, it's fun. The dog went on the picnic basket. But Chivy, Chase, Beverley D'Angelo, Emma Gene Coca, Randy Quaid, John Kenny, and Christy Brinkley. Well, are you gonna go for it? It's crazy, it's crazy, it's crazy. Take you for a ride this summer. When you think vacation, think National Lampoons vacation.

1:14 I'm gonna check under the hood. Family vacations are as much a part of summer as Fourth of July fireworks, cookout, going to the beach, or any other time honored summer tradition you can think of. Family vacations have also provided some of the greatest comedies in the history of cinema. This Week's film is arguably the greatest of them all. Released in nineteen eighty three, directed by Harold Ramis and based on a short story that appeared in the famed National Lampoon magazine National. Lampoon's Vacation tells the story of family and Clark Griswold chevy Chase in his decade spanning role, who wants to take his family of his wife, daughter, and son on a cross country vacation to the fictional amusement park Wally World.

2:16 What should be a peaceful trip unravels and hilarity with mishaps and family members throwing a wrench into the plans. The film co stars Beverly DeAngelo as Clark's wife, Randy Quaid as the lovable cousin Eddie, and the debuting Christine Brinkley, plus a memorable bit part by the late John Candy. Our next clip is the first scene in the film. This is important because it builds the chaos that is set to befall the Griswolds. When going to pick up a new car, Clark is shocked when the swarmy salesman played by comedy legend Eugene Lea, brings him a car that is not at all what he ordered.

3:03 This shows how quickly Clark's emotions can change, and now he tries to stay cool and often fails throughout difficult situations. Well, there she is Claire right here the wagon, Dad, This is not the car you ordered. Take it easy, rusty ed, this is not the car I ordered. I distinctly ordered the Antarctic Blue super sports Wagon with the CBE and the optional rally fun pack. He didn't order the metallic pe metallic p. No Antarctic blue. The sports wagon. This isn't even the right model, you know.

3:45 I think you're right. I don't think this is the car. This is the new Wagon Queen Family truckster. This is a There's a damn fine automobile. If you want my honest opinion, beach the hell out of the sports wagon. But I want to make you happy. Huh that important? I'll get to the bottom this. Yes, I said, mister Griswold ordered the blue sports Wagon. Where is it? I don't know soon. I know it must have happened. It didn't come in at I'm not your ordinary every day fool. Okay. Now, I'd like my Antarctic blue supersports Wagon right now, and if you can't get it for me, I'm gonna take my business elsewhere.

4:28 Where's my old car. I'm just as upset as you are, Believe me, Davenport, Get mister Griswold's car back and bring it back here and I can get you a wagon. There's no problem there. The problem is it might take six weeks. Now. I went to myself to tell you, mister Griswold, but if you're thinking to take in the tribe press country, this is the automobile you should be using. The wagon point family truck. You think you hated. No, but wait, don't you drive I don't want to drive it. I just want my old car back.

5:05 Okay, I'm not falling for this bit. Oh wait, let's call Russ Cark. Is that the right car? No, it isn't, honey, I I changed my mind. They flatten our old car like a pancake. Are you serious? Is this really our car? Dad? What happened? I thought we were gonna get the little sports thing. Oh no, sports Bibe must too small. Besides, I got a great deal on this one. Let me tell you, honey, we're taking the whole tribe across country. Believe me, this is your automobile. Must still running? Oh all new cars do that.

6:14 I'll take care of that in a second. You may think you hate it now and at but what are you driving? Brow and her back? When talking about any of the films in the Vacation series, one would have to include cousin Eddie, played by Quaid. As important as the Clark Griswold character is to these movies, one could argue that Eddie is more memorable, an argument I certainly make. He is the quintessential embarrassing family member. He is off color, somewhat dim, and very socially awkward. Despite his short cummings, he is lovable and, even in his own affable way, charming.

7:05 Our next scene shows all of this at a cookout when Clark in the family visit cousin Eddie and his family. How do they like? Here's Clark? Oh? Medium, rare, little pink inside. Oh you're fine, light at dark? Oh either way, it doesn't matter, I think it. Can I help you with that cool egg? Please? Mmmmmmmm? I don't know what they call this stuff, hamburger helper. It does just fine by itself. Huh. I like it better than tune to help her myself, don't you? Clark? You're the gourmet around here? Ed, No meeting this.

7:52 You get plenty to meet at home. People like you have some catch up, real tomato catchup, Patty? Oh nothing but the best, and Anna, don't for getting cold, said your aunt Edna. And Edna, after all these years, you're looking so good. Oh hi Edna, nice to see you again. You remember Clark, don't you? You were the ones that sent me the fruitcake for Christmas that made me so sick. Oh, I'm sorry. We thought you enjoyed fruitcake. You enjoy throwing up every five minutes, Claude Clark, I thought so, Oh well, am I gonna need or am I gonna starve to death?

9:01 Russ? Katherine, did you tell Clark and Ellen the good news? No? I was just about to Katherine, what's the good news? You're driving me to Phoenix. No matter how memorable cousin Eddie is, when you're reminiscing about any of the films in this series, some of the most quotable lines and top scenes do come from Clark Griswold. These scenes are when Clark is just exasperated, fed up, and passed his limit on what he will take this film. The first film in the series sets that character trait up first, with the family wanting to go home despite bearing down on Wally World.

9:58 Clark breathe, flee, loses his cool, and then, in our final clip, when the family finally arrives at wally World after the difficult journey, they learn it was all for not the park is closed for two weeks. This leads to a brief but very memorable appearance by John Candy as the park security I don't want to be in the car anymore. I want to go home. I don't want to go to wally World, Clark, under the circumstances, I wouldn't mind if we just went home. In retrospect, it seems like a pretty bad idea driving out.

10:35 It's been one disaster after another. Yeah, it's been a real drag, Dad. Maybe we can try some all the time. Wally World's overriding anyway, What do you think? I think? In ahead, we're ten hours from working fun park and you want to bail out. Well, I'll tell you something. This is no longer a vacation. It's a quest, quest for fun. I'm gonna have fun, and you're gonna have fun. We're all gonna have so much fun. We'll leave Classic Surgery to remove our gardens files. You'll be whistling sympathy, dude, Atties, I gotta be crazy.

11:13 I'm gonna pilgrimage to see a moose phrase Marty Moose, Dad, you're gonna ask for something, don't do. And now the family arrives to wally World. First, one's here, first, one's here. First, one's here. But we're so far away, Clark, right right. And at the end of the day, when the lot's all full and everybody's fighting to get out of here, will be the first ones out too, right? Why because we're the griz walls. Come on, Racio. Sorry, folks were closed for two weeks to clean and repair America's favorite family fun park.

13:03 Sorry, what, Clark? What are you doing? We watch this program? Why his toys? We go to his movies? He owes us, doesn't he owe us? He owes the Griswolls Right, Hey, rad he owes us. Clark, you're scaring me. Don't be scared. I just think somebody owes us an explanation, that's all. Come on, come on, come on, Clark, what will you listen to me. Let's just find a hotel. I'll call my parents. Are why are some money? We can fly home and forget this entire vacation ever happened. Honey, honey, just relaxed, Okay, I told you, I'm not angry anymore.

13:43 I'm in complete control. I'm sure they're not repairing every ride. At the same time, I think they owe us a little explanation. I think they owe us a little fun. Okay, whatever happens, just trust me, will you just trust me? Sorry, folk, parks are closed. The Moose off front should have told you, yes, we're here to see mister roy Wally. What's your name, sir, Clark w griswold O. What's just regarding mister grizzol? We're Republicans and relations or a summer inspection to a personal matter? Oh, suspection?

14:22 Oh nobody? Nobody notified this office of

14:28 Well, I'm notifying you. I'm afraid I'm gonna need a little more to not sir. Okay, dookie, how's this Clark? Have you lost your mind? Where did you get that sporting good star? Honey? Now you listen to me fat as, you do what I say, and it won't be any problem. Okay, Okay, we just throw two thousand, four hundred and sixty miles just for a little Roy Wally entertainment the Moose as your clothes. I say, you're open, We're not really violent people. This is our first gun. No, it isn't. Calling this film a success would be a massive understatement.

15:02 It made over eight and a half million dollars its opening weekend, debuting is the number one film. It ended up grossing over sixty one million dollars worldwide overall. Making it even more of a success is the film was only made on a fifteen million dollar budget. It also featured a changing of the guard for National Lampoon. It replaced the smut locker room humor that it was known for in large part due to the magazine and the film Animal House that we previously looked at, and replaced it with a more slapstick, witty, physical comedy.

15:48 This film is still endearing today. It has spawned five sequels, and recently this film celebrated its fortieth anniversary. What makes it timeless, hilarious and quite memorable is that while watching it, one finds themselves reminiscing about past vacations, good, bad, or downright awful. And when you do, I dare you not to try and smile or chuckle. And that is what every comedy film should strive for, to leave a great memory and a smile on our faces. I hope you join me next week when we will look at Steven Spielberg's mind blowing, beautiful science fiction epic Close Encounters of the third time for WMNH and Matt Counterton Unleashed.

16:47 This has been a classic film reviewed with Derrick Filter down the grout, Jack be Names, Jack Queen taking to run out the Whist team. I did little

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