In movie terms, a Pentalogy is a series of 5 films.  Now i'm sure you have all seen the Vacation movies.  In total, there have been 5 of them, yes 5 ...

1983 - Vacation
1985 - European Vacation
1989 - Christmas Vacation
1997 - Vegas Vacation
2003 - Christmas Vacation 2:  Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a8/Vacation1983.jpg/220px-Vacation1983.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/23/European_Vacation.jpg/220px-European_Vacation.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/53/NationalLampoonsChristmasVacationPoster.JPG/220px-NationalLampoonsChristmasVacationPoster.JPG http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/35/Vegas_Vacation_Poster.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/72/Christmas_Vacation_2_cover.jpeg/220px-Christmas_Vacation_2_cover.jpeg

Vegas Vacation was the only one not branded as National Lampoon, so based on that, could this series be branded as a Pentalogy?

From the first film, the Lindsey Buckingham song 'Holiday Road' became a minor US hit, peaking at #82 on Billboard.  It has since been branded as the Vacation theme, appearing in European Vacation and Vegas Vacation, but was absent from both Christmas movies.  

In European Vacation, it is revealed that Clark's middle name is Wilhelm, he was born August 8, 1945 and that the Griswalds live at 8805 Skyline Drive in Chicago Illinois

In print, The Griswalds appear in European Vacation.  In every other vacation film, it is The Griswolds

In the first Vacation film, we meet Cousin Eddie, his wife Catherine and their family.  Randy Quaid and Miriam Flynn portray Eddie and Catherine and appear in every Vacation film except for European Vacation.  Like all the Vacation films, the kids are portrayed by different actors.

In Vacation, Eddie's daughter Vicki is played by Jane Krakowski.  I wonder what ever became of her?  Can you say 30 rock ...

http://www.howmuchdotheyweigh.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Jane-Krakowski.jpeg


In European Vacation, Rusty is played by Jason Lively.  He didn't really amount to much, but his many siblings did:  Robyn Lively was in the movie "Teen Witch" and on "Doogie Howser, M.D.",  Eric Lively was in "American Pie" and was the star of "The Butterfly Effect 2", and Blake Lively, star of "Gossip Girl" can be seen in the movie "Green Lantern"

In Christmas Vacation, Rusty is played by Johnny Galecki and Audrey is played by Juliette Lewis.  You don't need me to tell you what became of them lol

In Christmas Vacation 2, Dana Barron (the original Audrey from Vacation) reprises her role as Audrey, and Eric Idle reprises his role as The Bike Rider from European Vacation.

In European Vacation, when The Bike Rider (Idle) is hit by Clark, he remarks about his leg "It's just a flesh wound".  That is a line that from the classic "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" that also starred Eric Idle.

In the Pig-in-a-poke segment of European Vacation, actor Paul Bartel plays Mr. Froeger.  You may recognize him from such films as "Rock and Roll High School" and "Caddyshack II".  As well, the game show host character of Kent Winkdale, as played by John Astin, is a spoof by name of Wink Martindale, and by action of Richard Dawson

The original cut of European Vacation features a nude segment when Ellen is singing the burlesque song in the shower, but has since been edited for newer DVD releases as well as the Blu-Ray release.  I have never found out why this was, but I can only assume it was because Christmas Vacation was a family film.  Also in EV, when the Thief kidnaps Ellen, as the tire on Clark's car blows, his lips drop the F-Bomb, but his voice says "Darn it all".

The motorcycle cop in Vacation is played by James Keach, the younger brother of Stacy "Mike Hammer" Keach.

In European Vacation, when they first arrive in Europe, Rusty questions why there is no MTV.  The channel MTV is American, and would not be broadcast in Europe.  MTV UK did not launch until 1987

The American girl that Rusty meets in Rome is Moon Zappa, the daughter of Frank Zappa

Brian Doyle-Murray, the brother of actor Bill Murray, plays the owner of that divey outdoor cabin motel in Vacation, yet in Christmas Vacation, he plays Mr. Shirley, Clark's boss

In Christmas Vacation, when Clark asks Rusty to help with the lights, Rusty looks at the non existant watch on his arm, and states he has other thigns to do.  That was a bit used by Chevy Chase in Caddyshack and Caddyshack II

In Vegas Vacation, we learn that Ellen's full name is Ellen Priscilla Ruth Griswold-Smith




Now, if you want to get Technical, the Vacation series actually includes 6 films ....

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c4/Hotelhellvacation.jpg

In a 2010 Super Bowl commercial for HomeAway.com, Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo reprise their roles as the Griswolds in a promo for a short film titled "Hotel Hell Vacation" that appeared for viewing on HomeAway.com and yes, they are still driving the Family Truxter

Watch for the Christie Brinkley reference, and the refenrece to the first Vacation where Clark gets ripped off after he gets the Truxter fixed ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOTPgQ3xj-U

Hotel Hell Vacation - Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WUFjpQuZxk

Hotel Hell Vacation - Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJwD_qJpHLo

The original "Vacation" movie was based on the short story "Vacation 58" by John Hughes, which appeared in September 1979 issue of National Lampoon.  Hughes also wrote a "Christmas Vacation" for NatLamp, which was a send-up of childhood in the 1950s.  However, it was only nominally related to the "Christmas Vacation" movie.  It did, however, introduce a sleazy Chinese exchange student who later showed up as Long Duk Dong in "Sixteen Candles."

I never knew there was a Hotel Hell Vacation film,I must see it when it comes to DVD.

I never knew there was a Hotel Hell Vacation film,I must see it when it comes to DVD.


Howard, it's a short film or rather a long commercial...you can see it by watching the YouTube links provided.


Personally, I liked the first and Christmas Vacation movies best.

I must see it when it comes to DVD.


I don't know if it ever would come to DVD as it was an Internet only video.  If they ever did a re-release of the Vacation box set to include CV2, they may include it as a bonus

New Line Cinema has reported that a new Vacation film will be produced that will feature Rusty as a father, taking his family to Walley World before it closes forever.  It has not been stated who will play Rusty, but they do want Chase and D'Angelo back as the Grandparents.

Vegas Vacation, Christmas Vacation 2 and Hotel Hell Vacation are the only in the series that do not make reference to Walley World.  In European Vacation, both Clark and Rusty are seen wearing a Walley World sweater, and in Christmas Vacation, Clark and Eddie drink Egg Nog out of Marty Moose glasses.

Former SCTV alum Harold Ramis directed Vacation, which is why you see small roles from both Eugene Levy and John Candy.

Mickey Jones, the actor who played the Mechanic in Vacation has long since been a well-recognizable character actor.  He was the Drummer for Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, as well as a part time drummer for Bob Dylan, but you may best know him as Pete, one of the boys from K&B Construction on "Home Improvement"

http://www.gibson.com/Files/aaFeaturesImages/mickey%20jones.jpg

During the end credits of European Vacation, the picture seen of the dog with a gun to his head was an actual cover of a controversial National Lampoon issue from 1973

http://pajamasmedia.com/eddriscoll/files/2011/01/national-lampoon-73.jpg


The original "Vacation" movie was based on the short story "Vacation 58" by John Hughes, which appeared in September 1979 issue of National Lampoon.  Hughes also wrote a "Christmas Vacation" for NatLamp, which was a send-up of childhood in the 1950s.  However, it was only nominally related to the "Christmas Vacation" movie.  It did, however, introduce a sleazy Chinese exchange student who later showed up as Long Duk Dong in "Sixteen Candles."


The Christmas Vacation one was called "Christmas '59".  When Clark is in the attic watching old home movies, the label on the reel canister reads "Xmas '59"

For this new Vacation film in the works, it would be awesome if they could get Anthony Michael Hall to play Rusty.  Though given star power, Johnny Galecki would be a better fit, though I don't know, given his age, that he could be believable as the father of kids in their early teens, even though he is old enough to have kids in their early teens.

For this new Vacation film in the works, it would be awesome if they could get Anthony Michael Hall to play Rusty.  Though given star power, Johnny Galecki would be a better fit, though I don't know, given his age, that he could be believable as the father of kids in their early teens, even though he is old enough to have kids in their early teens.


The idea has dud written all over it.  "Vacation" is a vehicle for Chevy Chase's Clark Griswold character.  Rusty developed as a foil for Clark.  I don't think he'll work as the main character.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYTdILs7-1Q&feature=related

The idea has dud written all over it.  "Vacation" is a vehicle for Chevy Chase's Clark Griswold character.  Rusty developed as a foil for Clark.  I don't think he'll work as the main character.  


It worked for Cousin Eddie.  Oh wait ... CV2 was made for TV.  lol

The best line from "Christmas Vacation."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TYlOTajXGg&feature=related

^ Ah Todd and Margo.  They were great in that film.  The house that the snobs live in is the same house as the one Roger Murtaugh lives in, in the Lethal Weapon films. 

Actress Mae Questel, who plays Aunt Bethany was the original voice of Olive Oyl in Popeye Cartoons, and was also the voice of Betty Boop.

In Vegas Vacation, the actress Shae D'Lyn, who plays Eddie's daughter, was born in 1962.  Randy Quaid was born in 1950, so had they have used this timeline, Eddie had kids when he was 11 :o

^ Ah Todd and Margo.  They were great in that film.  The house that the snobs live in is the same house as the one Roger Murtaugh lives in, in the Lethal Weapon films. 

Actress Mae Questel, who plays Aunt Bethany was the original voice of Olive Oyl in Popeye Cartoons, and was also the voice of Betty Boop.

In Vegas Vacation, the actress Shae D'Lyn, who plays Eddie's daughter, was born in 1962.  Randy Quaid was born in 1950, so had they have used this timeline, Eddie had kids when he was 11 :o


Vicki: I'm going steady, and I French kiss.
Audrey: So? Everybody does that.
Vicki: Yeah, but Daddy says I'm the best at it.
8-P

Vicki: I'm going steady, and I French kiss.
Audrey: So? Everybody does that.
Vicki: Yeah, but Daddy says I'm the best at it.
8-P


In the TV edit, Vicki says "Yeah, but my Teacher says I'm the best at it"

In the TV edit, Vicki says "Yeah, but my Teacher says I'm the best at it"


Not as bad as: "What do I look like, Christopher Columbo?"
::)

Not as bad as: "What do I look like, Christopher Columbo?"
::)


That one always made me chuckle.  I was kind of sad it was not in the theatrical version.  When you watch the Vacation TV edit, it's like a whole different movie almost lol


Though in the scene when the motorcycle cop pulls Clark over and Audrey asks Aunt Edna to hold on to her purse, it makes no sense unless you watch the theatrical version:  The scene where Cousin Vicki gives Audrey some weed was edited out from the TV version

That one always made me chuckle.  I was kind of sad it was not in the theatrical version.  When you watch the Vacation TV edit, it's like a whole different movie almost lol


Though in the scene when the motorcycle cop pulls Clark over and Audrey asks Aunt Edna to hold on to her purse, it makes no sense unless you watch the theatrical version:  The scene where Cousin Vicki gives Audrey some weed was edited out from the TV version


It's something like "Explain this, you sadistic creep" instead of "Explain this, you sonofabitch!" 

I remember reading with horror in NatLamp the part where Dad (Clark) leaves the dog tied to the bumper.  John Hughes got numerous letters, but not from the ASPCA, rather from readers who said they made the same mistake!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/04/dogrun.gif

One of my favorite lines:

Aunt Edna (to Clark): This your idea of a good restaurant, DOG KILLER!!!
;D