(Jeremiah Chechik, US 1989, 97 min., DCP)
The popular Vacation franchise hit its apex with this holiday favorite featuring an all-star cast of veterans and soon-to-be household names. Cereal varnish pioneer Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) is eagerly awaiting his holiday bonus check to announce to his family the plan of adding a pool in the backyard. In the meantime, he busies his time with decorating his house (inside and out), buying and hiding presents, some recreational sledding, and readying the house for extended family, including the unwanted appearance of his brother-in-law Eddy and his family. Relatable yet absurd, this film continues to provide the hilarity of the season more than thirty-five years later. The incredible cast includes Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, Diane Lass, E.G. Marshall, Doris Roberts, Randy Quaid, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.