CIFF December Classic Film: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”

As part of its monthly Classic Film Series, Coronado Island Film Festival will present the 1989 John Hughes Christmas comedy classic, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 5:30 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. for a complementary “Meet and Greet Happy Hour.” Tickets are $15, are available now, and may be purchased at coronadofilmfest.com.

Get ready to laugh out loud as Chevy Chase, perfectly cast as the hapless Clark Griswold, who decides to plan a “good old-fashioned Christmas” for his family and everything that could possibly go wrong, goes wrong. Hilariously so. The third and final installment in National Lampoon Magazine’s vacation series, it also stars Beverly d’Angelo and Dennis Quaid. You can count on a stellar supporting cast that includes Miriam Flynn, William Hickey, Mae Questel, Diane Ladd, John Randolph, E.G. Marshall, Doris Roberts, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, but the movie clearly belongs to Chevy Chase. It’s directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik and written and co-produced by John Hughes, based on characters created by John Hughes in his short story, “Christmas ’59,” which was published in National Lampoon Magazine.

2023 Festival attendees will remember Diane Ladd, who was here with us to receive the CIFF Legacy Award, presented by Leonard Maltin at the Industry Tribute Gala.

What’s different in this Lampoon film is that instead of taking the family away for a vacation, as in the first two, Griswold decides to invite a motley group of relatives to come to their house for Christmas in snowy Chicago. Ever the optimist, Clark Griswold imagines a cozy, warm and fuzzy Christmas family reunion, which of course does not happen, not even close.

But you just have to love Clark and his unwavering enthusiasm for the beautiful idea, and you root for him all the way. Because at the center of all the wacky silliness this film has to offer, there lies a great big heart full of love and hope and joy. This movie is a funny, lovely gift we can all use right now, and it’s what all of us at CIFF wish for all of you and yours this holiday season.

And Happy New Year! We’ll be announcing our 2025 Classic Film lineup very soon, but mark your calendars now for Wednesday, January 29 for “Good Will Hunting,” starring Matt Damon and Robin Williams. Tickets are available now.