Factual error: The scene at the car lot in the beginning is supposed to take place in Chicago. Mountains and palm trees are visible in one angle when Clark is talking to Ed about the car being the wrong one.
National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
1 picture
Directed by: Harold Ramis
Starring: Eugene Levy, Chevy Chase, John Candy, Randy Quaid, Anthony Michael Hall, Beverly D'Angelo, Jane Krakowski, Eddie Bracken, Christie Brinkley, Imogene Coca
Revealing mistake: In the early part of the film, Beverly D'Angelo and Chevy Chase check into the hotel/motel. She goes in to take a shower but he barges in. If you look real closely, she is wearing underpants and is not nude although she is taking a shower.
Cousin Vicki: I'm going steady, and I French kiss.
Audrey Griswold: So? Everybody does that.
Cousin Vicki: Yeah, but Daddy says I'm the best at it.
Trivia: The script was based on writer John Hughes short story called "Vacation 58" which was based on a real life trip he took as a child with his parents in 1958.
Question: In all the Vacation movies, the children are played by different actors. What is the reason behind this? Is it simply a joke?
Answer: Ironically in 2003, Dana Barron (the original Audrey in the first film) returned as Audrey Griswald in "Christmas Vacation 2: Eddie's Island Adventure" although this film did not contain Chevy Chase, Beverly D' Angelo or a Rusty actor (Rusty not in this film).
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Answer: According to the commentary from "Christmas Vacation" this is an inside joke referencing the fact that Clark is away from home so much with work, he hardly even recognizes them anymore. "European Vacation" could not obtain the same kids who played in the original Vacation, namely Anthony Michael Hall, and tried to cast kids whom looked close. Thus the joke began. No doubt the actors' aging between movies also plays a part.
Jazetopher