You knew National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation entered the wider pop culture vernacular when people started referring to suburban men who go just-a-bit overboard on the outdoor holiday decorations as Griswolds. The 1989 film follows the hapless-but-well-meaning patriarch of the Griswold clan (Chevy Chase) as he tries to create the perfect family holiday amidst accidents, decoration malfunctions, annoying visiting relatives, pissed-off neighbors, a pre-crazy Randy Quaid, and one killer squirrel, while anxiously awaiting his holiday paycheck bonus. Written and acted with a surprising sweetness, Christmas Vacation has since become a modern holiday classic. 6:30 p.m. 1500 McKinney. For information, call 713-400-7336 or visit www.discoverygreen.com. Free.
Thu., Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m., 2010
This article appears in Dec 9-15, 2010.
