Introduction
The 1989 film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is one of the most beloved holiday movies of all time. It tells the story of the Griswold family and their chaotic attempts to have a perfect Christmas. The film is filled with memorable moments, from Clark Griswold’s (played by Chevy Chase) antics to Cousin Eddie’s (played by Randy Quaid) hijinks. One of the most iconic scenes in the movie is the opening scene, which features Clark driving home while singing along to “Deck the Halls.” But where was this scene filmed? In this article, we’ll explore the iconic filming locations of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and take a behind-the-scenes look at the making of its opening scene.
Exploring the Iconic Filming Locations of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was filmed on location in California and Illinois. The most iconic location featured in the movie is the Griswold house, which is located in Burbank, California. The exterior of the house was used for many of the key scenes in the movie, including the opening scene. Other important locations featured in the movie include Walley World, which is located in Santa Clarita, California, and the town of Winnetka, Illinois.
The Griswold House
The Griswold house is the main setting of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. The exterior of the house was used for many of the key scenes in the movie, including the opening scene. The house is a two-story colonial-style home located in Burbank, California. The house is situated on a quiet residential street and has a large front porch and a white picket fence. The house also features a number of classic Christmas decorations, such as wreaths and lights.
Walley World
Walley World is an amusement park featured in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. The exterior of the park was filmed at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. The interior scenes were filmed at the now-defunct Universal Studios Hollywood theme park. The park features a number of rides and attractions, including roller coasters and a Ferris wheel.
Other Filming Locations
In addition to the Griswold house and Walley World, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was filmed at a number of other locations. Some of the other locations featured in the movie include the town of Winnetka, Illinois, where the Griswolds’ neighbors live; the city of San Fernando, California, where the Griswolds go shopping; and the city of Sherman Oaks, California, where the Griswolds attend a holiday party.
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Filming of Christmas Vacation’s Opening Scene
The opening scene of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was filmed on location in Burbank, California. The cast and crew spent several days filming the scene, which features Clark driving home while singing along to “Deck the Halls.” The scene includes a number of visual gags, such as Clark almost hitting a deer and getting stuck in traffic. The production design team added a number of festive touches to the scene, including a giant inflatable Santa Claus and a snow machine.
A Tour of the Real-Life Setting of the Christmas Vacation Opening Scene
The Griswold house featured in the opening scene of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is located in Burbank, California. The house is situated on a quiet residential street and has a large front porch and a white picket fence. The house also features a number of classic Christmas decorations, such as wreaths and lights.
The house has been featured in many other films and TV shows over the years, including The Brady Bunch Movie, The West Wing, and Freaky Friday. The house is a popular tourist attraction and is often visited by fans of the movie. There is even a plaque outside the house that reads “Home of the Griswolds” in honor of the movie.
Tracing the Steps of Clark Griswold: An Analysis of the Opening Scene of Christmas Vacation
The opening scene of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation sets the tone for the rest of the movie. The scene follows Clark as he drives home from work and sings along to “Deck the Halls.” The scene is filled with visual gags, such as Clark almost hitting a deer and getting stuck in traffic. The narrative structure of the scene is simple but effective, as it establishes the characters and their relationships in a few short minutes.
The scene also serves to introduce the audience to the world of the Griswolds. We get a glimpse of Clark’s day-to-day life, as well as his relationship with his family. The scene also establishes Clark’s character as a lovable, bumbling everyman who just wants to make the best of the holiday season.

How the Opening Scene of Christmas Vacation Was Brought to Life on Screen
The opening scene of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was filmed on location in Burbank, California. The cinematography of the scene captures the beauty of the Griswold house and the surrounding area. The editing of the scene is fast-paced and full of visual gags, which helps to establish the tone of the movie. The music of the scene, “Deck the Halls,” helps to set the festive mood of the scene.
Conclusion
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is one of the most beloved holiday movies of all time. Its iconic opening scene was filmed on location in Burbank, California, at the Griswold house. The scene features Clark driving home while singing along to “Deck the Halls.” We explored the iconic filming locations of the movie, took a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the opening scene, and analyzed the narrative structure and character development of the scene. We also looked at how the scene was brought to life on screen through cinematography, editing, and music. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a timeless classic that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.
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