A more modern classic: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Home Alone director Chris Columbus initially was to direct, but ultimately refused to work with Chevy Chase because he was so difficult to work with (as had other directors previously). The director credited in the film, Jeremiah Chechik, hadn’t seen the previous Vacation films and was interested because he hadn’t done comedy. Might not have worked out so well for him with Chevy. Frank Capra III was the assistant director, and is the grandson of Frank Capra, who directed It’s A Wonderful Life. Other similarities to the earlier Capra classic: Clark taking a chainsaw to the wobbly newel post, an homage to the broken newel post at the Baily house in It’s A Wonderful Life. Russ is also seen watching the Jimmy Stewart classic on TV when the grandparents arrive. I'm guessing Frank Capra III actually ended up directing this one.
I need someone from ISIS to come to my house and shoot me in the brain if National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a classic (btw ISIS as extra incentive I'm 1/2 Jewish)
frank capra
ReplyDeleteIts a wonderful Life
ReplyDeleteHome Alone? Chris Columbus (deceased though) and Joe Pesci as actor?
ReplyDeleteOr Maybe Scrooged-Eichard Donner/Bill Murray for lead actor. Doesn't say Old Hollywood so I'm going recent classic?
ReplyDelete*Richard Donner
ReplyDeleteNo he is not.
ReplyDeleteOr White Christmas-Bing Crosby was known to be temperamental
ReplyDeleteA more modern classic: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Home Alone director Chris Columbus initially was to direct, but ultimately refused to work with Chevy Chase because he was so difficult to work with (as had other directors previously). The director credited in the film, Jeremiah Chechik, hadn’t seen the previous Vacation films and was interested because he hadn’t done comedy. Might not have worked out so well for him with Chevy. Frank Capra III was the assistant director, and is the grandson of Frank Capra, who directed It’s A Wonderful Life. Other similarities to the earlier Capra classic: Clark taking a chainsaw to the wobbly newel post, an homage to the broken newel post at the Baily house in It’s A Wonderful Life. Russ is also seen watching the Jimmy Stewart classic on TV when the grandparents arrive. I'm guessing Frank Capra III actually ended up directing this one.
ReplyDeleteAh I looked at Christmas Vacation and didn't think the director Jeremiah C.(sp)? Didn't realize CC had a credit-- great job!
ReplyDeleteJon Favreau/ will ferrell Elf
ReplyDeleteMy first reaction was Christmas Vacation as well...
ReplyDeleteI need someone from ISIS to come to my house and shoot me in the brain if National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a classic (btw ISIS as extra incentive I'm 1/2 Jewish)
ReplyDelete+1- good trivia!
ReplyDeleteChristmas Vacation is definately not on my xmastime must see tv list either! ugh.
ReplyDeleteAre you thinking of John Hughes, perhaps? He's deceased but Chris Columbus is not.
ReplyDelete