Q 01/05

Who directed National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)?

A) John Hughes

B) Harold Ramis

C) John Landis

D) Ivan Reitman

Answer · why

B) Harold Ramis

Ramis and Chevy Chase rewrote Hughes's first draft to tell the story from the father's point of view instead of the son's. Ramis also voices Marty Moo...

Q 02/05

The screenplay was based on a John Hughes short story with what title?

A) Vacation '58

B) Christmas '59

C) Summer of the Griswolds

D) Wally World

Answer · why

A) Vacation '58

Hughes started it during the Chicago blizzard of 1979 for a vacation issue of National Lampoon; it was bumped and finally ran that September.

Q 03/05

Which Paramount executive told producer Matty Simmons the story "would never make a movie" for being too episodic?

A) Frank Mancuso

B) Michael Eisner

C) Barry Diller

D) Jeffrey Katzenberg

Answer · why

D) Jeffrey Katzenberg

Simmons replied that it was a road trip and supposed to be episodic. Warner Bros. executive Mark Canton eventually championed it.

Q 04/05

How is Walley World billed on its signs and in Clark's plans?

A) The World's Greatest Theme Park

B) The Happiest Place in California

C) America's Favorite Family Fun Park

D) Fun for the Whole Family, Guaranteed

Answer · why

C) America's Favorite Family Fun Park

It was Disneyland in Hughes's story; the name was changed to a sound-alike to avoid legal trouble, and mascot Marty Moose stands in for Mickey.

Q 05/05

What is the name of the ugly, oversized car Clark is forced to buy for the trip?

A) The Sport Wagon Deluxe

B) The Wagon Queen Family Truckster

C) The Tartan Prancer

D) The Country Squire Cruiser

Answer · why

B) The Wagon Queen Family Truckster

Eugene Levy's shady salesman had crushed Clark's trade-in. It is a modified 1979 Ford LTD Country Squire in 'metallic pea' green with eight headlights...