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Non-Road Boards => Off-Topic => Topic started by: Henry on June 25, 2018, 09:35:19 AM

Poll
Question: Out of all the movies in the Vacation series, which one do you like best?
Option 1: National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) votes: 14
Option 2: National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985) votes: 2
Option 3: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) votes: 4
Option 4: Vegas Vacation (1997) votes: 1
Option 5: Vacation (2015) votes: 0
Title: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: Henry on June 25, 2018, 09:35:19 AM
I remember seeing Vacation as a 13-year old for the first time, and it was very funny, with the mishaps and antics of Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, who drives his family from Chicago to Walley World; even 35 years later, this one remains my all-time favorite. I've also seen European Vacation and Christmas Vacation, but then lost track after that. I'm planning to rent the last two on DVD so I can see what happens in those adventures, although from what I've heard, Rusty has taken over as the man. What is your absolute favorite out of the five listed above?
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: hbelkins on June 25, 2018, 10:01:26 AM
I've seen the first three. They were on BBC America last week, even "Christmas Vacation." I've probably seen it the most, followed by the original, then "European Vacation," which I really don't remember much of. I had forgotten that Cousin Eddie first appeared in the original before he brought his tenement on wheels to the Griswold home and emptied his toilet into the storm sewer.
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: spooky on June 25, 2018, 10:04:37 AM
There should be three choices in this poll:

-original 1983 Vacation
-Christmas Vacation
-I'm a lunatic
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: abefroman329 on June 25, 2018, 10:05:23 AM
(1) National Lampoon's Vacation
(2) National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
(3) National Lampoon's European Vacation
(4) Vegas Vacation

I have not seen the direct-to-video Cousin Eddie movie or the Vacation remake and have no plans to do so.

edit: Oops, didn't notice it was a poll.  I voted.
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: abefroman329 on June 25, 2018, 10:08:24 AM
Quote from: spooky on June 25, 2018, 10:04:37 AM
There should be three choices in this poll:

-original 1983 Vacation
-Christmas Vacation
-I'm a lunatic

I like European Vacation's cameos by Mel Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Eric Idle, and the actor who played the Major on Fawlty Towers, but overall it's a bunch of lazy stereotyping of everyone, American tourists included.
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: roadman on June 25, 2018, 10:12:25 AM
Christmas Vacation, with the original Vacation a close second.  Although my favorite line from any of the Vacation movies is still "Audrey.  When they close a road, they put up big signs.  Like this one."
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: Max Rockatansky on June 25, 2018, 11:38:34 AM
Christmas Vacation

Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: abefroman329 on June 25, 2018, 12:12:14 PM
Fun fact: The aerial shot of the Wagon Queen Family Truckster driving from the northbound Stevenson to southbound Lake Shore Drive appears in the opening credits of Married...with Children.

In other news, I have no idea why they were traveling from the Chicago suburbs (most likely the north suburbs, given that's where most of John Hughes' other films take place) to California by taking the northbound Stevenson to southbound Lake Shore Drive.
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: roadman on June 25, 2018, 12:48:38 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on June 25, 2018, 12:12:14 PM
Fun fact: The aerial shot of the Wagon Queen Family Truckster driving from the northbound Stevenson to southbound Lake Shore Drive appears in the opening credits of Married...with Children.

In other news, I have no idea why they were traveling from the Chicago suburbs (most likely the north suburbs, given that's where most of John Hughes' other films take place) to California by taking the northbound Stevenson to southbound Lake Shore Drive.
Continuity fail.
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: hbelkins on June 25, 2018, 01:14:17 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on June 25, 2018, 11:38:34 AM
Christmas Vacation



I turned that into a ringtone and used it during the Christmas season this year.
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: WillWeaverRVA on June 25, 2018, 01:34:47 PM
Can't beat the original. The moose out front should've told you.
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: abefroman329 on June 25, 2018, 01:46:00 PM
Quote from: WillWeaverRVA on June 25, 2018, 01:34:47 PM
Can't beat the original. The moose out front should've told you.

Voiced by Harold Ramis!  Who also provided the voice for an offscreen cop at the very end!
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: Big John on June 25, 2018, 03:22:02 PM
European Vacation:  "Big Ben, Parliament" when dealing with a roundabout.
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: Brandon on June 25, 2018, 03:25:52 PM
The first one was the best and funniest.  Christmas Vacation was pretty good as well.
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: jeffandnicole on June 25, 2018, 03:32:32 PM
The original is definitely the best.  I have a soft spot for Vegas Vacation as I've been there quite often.  Yet to find the 'Guess the Number' game though!!  Like most movies, the areas of Vegas are twisted around a bit. The original Hangover Movie is one of the few where it shows Vegas "as is" in nearly every scene.

Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: abefroman329 on June 25, 2018, 04:04:58 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 25, 2018, 03:32:32 PM
The original is definitely the best.  I have a soft spot for Vegas Vacation as I've been there quite often.  Yet to find the 'Guess the Number' game though!!  Like most movies, the areas of Vegas are twisted around a bit. The original Hangover Movie is one of the few where it shows Vegas "as is" in nearly every scene.

I didn't like VV because it wasn't as outlandish as the rest - "man goes to Vegas and gambles away every penny he has" is 100% plausible.  I think I've been to the casino that they used for the "guess which hand" etc. casino.  It was on the east side of Las Vegas Blvd, south of Mandalay Bay, and it was pretty downmarket.

And yes, no casino has rock-paper-scissors, but they did introduce Casino War shortly after Vegas Vacation came out!
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: bandit957 on June 26, 2018, 11:57:34 AM
The first one was hilarious, but they got progressively dumber after that, and I gave up after the third one.

But a character in the second one bubbled.
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: inkyatari on June 26, 2018, 12:05:00 PM
First one easily, as we took a vacation on almost the exact same route they did in the first film in the year the movie was released.  We turned around in Vegas, however..

I would have liked the first sequel being the return trip home.
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: inkyatari on June 26, 2018, 12:08:08 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on June 25, 2018, 04:04:58 PM


And yes, no casino has rock-paper-scissors,

Online casinos do, and I could have sworn it was turned into a table game.

There is one choice missing from the poll..

Christmas Vacation 2...  Although from what I've read, nobody really misses that one.
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: jeffandnicole on June 26, 2018, 01:19:37 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on June 25, 2018, 04:04:58 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 25, 2018, 03:32:32 PM
The original is definitely the best.  I have a soft spot for Vegas Vacation as I've been there quite often.  Yet to find the 'Guess the Number' game though!!  Like most movies, the areas of Vegas are twisted around a bit. The original Hangover Movie is one of the few where it shows Vegas "as is" in nearly every scene.

I didn't like VV because it wasn't as outlandish as the rest - "man goes to Vegas and gambles away every penny he has" is 100% plausible.  I think I've been to the casino that they used for the "guess which hand" etc. casino.  It was on the east side of Las Vegas Blvd, south of Mandalay Bay, and it was pretty downmarket.

And yes, no casino has rock-paper-scissors, but they did introduce Casino War shortly after Vegas Vacation came out!

That was the Klondike Hotel/Casino, which closed in 2006. 

Other shots for the movie were done in the Mirage.

And someone getting in with a fake ID probably happens regularly.  Even a good ID may escape a good ID checker.  But once you win, then that fake ID will be discovered.  Winning 4 cars on a fake ID...and then receiving all 4 cars?  Maybe a slight stretch! LOL
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: abefroman329 on June 26, 2018, 01:23:13 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 26, 2018, 01:19:37 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on June 25, 2018, 04:04:58 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on June 25, 2018, 03:32:32 PM
The original is definitely the best.  I have a soft spot for Vegas Vacation as I've been there quite often.  Yet to find the 'Guess the Number' game though!!  Like most movies, the areas of Vegas are twisted around a bit. The original Hangover Movie is one of the few where it shows Vegas "as is" in nearly every scene.

I didn't like VV because it wasn't as outlandish as the rest - "man goes to Vegas and gambles away every penny he has" is 100% plausible.  I think I've been to the casino that they used for the "guess which hand" etc. casino.  It was on the east side of Las Vegas Blvd, south of Mandalay Bay, and it was pretty downmarket.

And yes, no casino has rock-paper-scissors, but they did introduce Casino War shortly after Vegas Vacation came out!

That was the Klondike Hotel/Casino, which closed in 2006. 

Other shots for the movie were done in the Mirage.

And someone getting in with a fake ID probably happens regularly.  Even a good ID may escape a good ID checker.  But once you win, then that fake ID will be discovered.  Winning 4 cars on a fake ID...and then receiving all 4 cars?  Maybe a slight stretch! LOL

Yeah, oddly enough, casinos don't really give a shit how old you are when you're losing.
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: roadman65 on June 26, 2018, 10:07:00 PM
The original one of course.
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: jon daly on June 26, 2018, 10:17:17 PM
I like to pretend that Caddyshack was a figment of Clark Griswold's imagination where he is an idle rich slacker named Ty instead of a food chemist.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clark-griswold-753435137/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/clark-griswold-753435137/)
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: abefroman329 on June 26, 2018, 10:21:12 PM
Quote from: jon daly on June 26, 2018, 10:17:17 PM
I like to pretend that Caddyshack was a figment of Clark Griswold's imagination where he is an idle rich slacker named Ty instead of a food chemist.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clark-griswold-753435137/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/clark-griswold-753435137/)

Or a newspaper columnist named Irwin M. Fletcher who writes under the psuedonym Jane Doe.
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: jon daly on June 26, 2018, 10:23:54 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on June 26, 2018, 10:21:12 PM
Quote from: jon daly on June 26, 2018, 10:17:17 PM
I like to pretend that Caddyshack was a figment of Clark Griswold's imagination where he is an idle rich slacker named Ty instead of a food chemist.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clark-griswold-753435137/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/clark-griswold-753435137/)

Or a newspaper columnist named Irwin M. Fletcher who writes under the psuedonym Jane Doe.

Or he's an anchorman and you're not.
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: roadman on June 27, 2018, 09:35:11 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 26, 2018, 12:08:08 PM
There is one choice missing from the poll..
Christmas Vacation 2...  Although from what I've read, nobody really misses that one.

Didn't realize there was a Christmas Vacation 2.  Probably a good indicator of the quality of the movie.
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: inkyatari on June 27, 2018, 10:39:45 AM
Quote from: roadman on June 27, 2018, 09:35:11 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 26, 2018, 12:08:08 PM
There is one choice missing from the poll..
Christmas Vacation 2...  Although from what I've read, nobody really misses that one.

Didn't realize there was a Christmas Vacation 2.  Probably a good indicator of the quality of the movie.

It was direct to video / TV so...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Lampoon%27s_Christmas_Vacation_2
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: abefroman329 on June 27, 2018, 11:32:40 AM
Quote from: roadman on June 27, 2018, 09:35:11 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 26, 2018, 12:08:08 PM
There is one choice missing from the poll..
Christmas Vacation 2...  Although from what I've read, nobody really misses that one.

Didn't realize there was a Christmas Vacation 2.  Probably a good indicator of the quality of the movie.

It was focused on Cousin Eddie and the only other characters from previous Vacation movies were Eddie's wife Catherine and Audrey (played by the original Audrey, no less).  I guess the overestimated the popularity of that character.
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: roadman on June 27, 2018, 11:36:21 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on June 27, 2018, 11:32:40 AM
Quote from: roadman on June 27, 2018, 09:35:11 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 26, 2018, 12:08:08 PM
There is one choice missing from the poll..
Christmas Vacation 2...  Although from what I've read, nobody really misses that one.

Didn't realize there was a Christmas Vacation 2.  Probably a good indicator of the quality of the movie.

It was focused on Cousin Eddie and the only other characters from previous Vacation movies were Eddie's wife Catherine and Audrey (played by the original Audrey, no less).  I guess the overestimated the popularity of that character.
Sounds like a page from the classic Hollywood playbook to milk a franchise well past its prime - focus on a bit character from a previous movie in the series.  Sad how Hollywood isn't even trying to show any originality or creativity in movies these days.
Title: Re: Favorite National Lampoon Vacation Movie?
Post by: abefroman329 on June 27, 2018, 11:38:23 AM
Quote from: roadman on June 27, 2018, 11:36:21 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on June 27, 2018, 11:32:40 AM
Quote from: roadman on June 27, 2018, 09:35:11 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 26, 2018, 12:08:08 PM
There is one choice missing from the poll..
Christmas Vacation 2...  Although from what I've read, nobody really misses that one.

Didn't realize there was a Christmas Vacation 2.  Probably a good indicator of the quality of the movie.

It was focused on Cousin Eddie and the only other characters from previous Vacation movies were Eddie's wife Catherine and Audrey (played by the original Audrey, no less).  I guess the overestimated the popularity of that character.
Sounds like a page from the classic Hollywood playbook to milk a franchise well past its prime - focus on a bit character from a previous movie in the series.  Sad how Hollywood isn't even trying to show any originality or creativity in movies these days.
They tend to stop once it's not a moneymaker for them.  But in order for that to happen, people need to stop going to see these movies.