Beverly D’Angelo, known for her role in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” recently shared some behind-the-scenes stories about the beloved holiday film.
D’Angelo, who played Ellen Griswold, revealed that one of the film’s funniest moments was actually her own idea. During a scene where the family is told to freeze, Ellen suddenly grabs Clark’s, played by Chevy Chase, groin. D’Angelo said this wasn’t in the script but was an improvisation she added during filming.
She mentioned that it was the end of a long day, and she didn’t think anyone would notice. Chevy Chase even doubted she would go through with it. But she did it anyway, and it made the final cut.
D’Angelo and Chase have remained close friends since making the first “Vacation” movie. She said they had an instant connection, like meeting a brother. Their chemistry on screen is something special, she added, making it easy for them to fall into their roles as Clark and Ellen.
Looking back, D’Angelo didn’t expect the “Vacation” movies to become such a big part of American culture. She noted that “Christmas Vacation” has become a holiday tradition for many families.
She also recalled some challenges during filming, especially involving a squirrel that was supposed to jump out of the Christmas tree. She said the first squirrel was highly trained, but something happened to it. The replacement squirrel wasn’t as well-behaved, leading to some unpredictable moments on set.
Despite the chaos, D’Angelo is grateful for the film’s success and the joy it brings to people every Christmas. While she admits she isn’t a huge fan of celebrating holidays herself, she appreciates the spirit of giving that Christmas represents. “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” has become a lasting part of her life and career, something she never anticipated but deeply appreciates.
