National Lampoon's Vacation

National Lampoon’s Vacation was initially based on John Hughes’ short story “Vacation ‘58” that was originally published by National Lampoon magazine, Hughes then going on to write the script for the film itself. The film stands as one of the funniest films a fertile period for American comedy. Born from the success of National Lampoon Magazine, started by Harvard graduates and Harvard Lampoon alumni Doug Kenney, Henry Beard and Robert Hoffman in 1969, which would go one to become the National Lampoon: Lemmings show was staged and The National Lampoon Radio Hour. Success came fast for the cast, acting as a springboard for comedy legends including John Belushi Chevy Chase, Richard Belzer, Christopher Guest, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Brian Doyle-Murray and Harold Ramis. The later going on to direct Caddy Shack and the first two Vacation films. The National Lampoon also gave birth to Saturday Night Live, the talent in front of and behind the camera’s at 30 Rock would for ever change the face of American comedy.