Song of the Day: 'Christmas Vacation' by Mavis Staples

"National Lampoon's Vacation" is one of my all-time favorite comedies -- I'd watch Beverly "I was robbed of an Oscar nomination for 'Coal Miner's Daughter' D'Angelo read the phone book, and Imogene Coca is a comedic genius -- but somehow I'd only managed to see the "European Vacation" sequel. (Actually saw it in the theater and even though it was far inferior, the "Look, kids: there's Big Ben" line is still in heavy rotation in my circles!) My brother Terence and sister, Jennifer, have long sworn by "Christmas Vacation," so it was the perfect holiday film for Damian and me to watch over this rainy pre-Christmas weekend in New York. The main plot is pretty much what you'd expect. But the unexpected appearances by Julia Louis Dreyfus, an unrecognizable Johnny Galecki and a pre-"Cape Fear" Juliette Lewis were a welcome surprise, as was the return of Cousin Eddie (which turned out to be Randy Quaid playing his grifter self) and Miriam Flynn as Eddie's long-suffering wife, Catherine. An unexpected treat -- but I'm not sure I'm willing to hedge my bets on finally watching "Vegas Vacation"!

Share this post