the new-fallen snow
"Gave a luster of midday to objects below
"When what to my wondering eyes
should appear
"But a miniature sleigh..."
...and Eddie.
And a man in his pajamas
with a dog chain...
...tied to his wrists and ankles.
What the...?
Stay here.
Merry Christmas, Clark.
You about ready to do some kissin'?
Officer, it seems
my husband has been abducted.
The man was wearing a blue leisure suit...
...and the plates were from Kansas.
He was a huge, beastly, bulging man.
I have never been treated
like this in my life.
I'm sorry.
This is our family's first kidnapping.
You're fired.
Where's the phone? I'm calling the police.
Just hold your wad there, fella.
Clark had nothin' to do with this.
This here was my idea.
All right. He's still fired
and you are going to jail.
It was my fault.
I lost my temper when I got my bonus
and I said a few things I shouldn't have.
Bonus? How did you get a bonus?
I cut out bonuses this year.
Thanks for telling us.
I was expecting a check.
Instead I got enrolled in a jelly club.
In 17 years with the company, I've gotten
a bonus every year, but this one.
You don't want to give bonuses, fine!
When people count on them
as part of their salary...
What you did just plain...
Sucks.
Thank you, Russ.
My cousin-in-law,
whose heart is bigger than his brain...
I appreciate that.
...is innocent. I'll be more than happy
to take the rap on this...
...on behalf of myself and every other
employee you rear-ended this Christmas.
Sometimes things look good
on paper, but...
...lose their luster when you see
how it affects real folks.
A healthy bottom line
doesn't mean much if...
...to get it, you have to hurt
the ones you depend on.
It's people that make the difference.
Little people, like you.
So, Carl...
...whatever you got last year...
...add 20 percent.
Go away, Todd.
If you want to come in, you are gonna
have to break down the goddamn door!
Merry Christmas to all
and to all a good night!
Freeze!
Not you! Them!
This way, please.
I think you've made a terrible mistake.
I told you to freeze, mister.
May we blink?
- Thank God you're all right.
- I'm fine. I'm just fine.
There was a big
misunderstanding tonight.
Excuse me. Would you and Mrs. Shirley
like to step outside so we can finish here?
- Don't bother. I'm not pressing charges.
- What?
It was a mistake.
Mistake? Honey, you were kidnapped.
I did something I shouldn't have...
...and these people called me on it.
This is Clark Griswold and his family.
Welcome to our home.
What's left of it.
Release B Squad.
What's going on here?
Remember how I was toying with the
notion of suspending Christmas bonuses?
You didn't.
Of all the cheap,
lousy ways to save a buck!
That's pretty low, mister.
If I had a rubber hose...
I changed my mind.
I'm reinstating all the bonuses.
Look!
Look!
It's Santy Claus.
Uncle Clark, it's Santy Claus.
It's the Christmas star.
And that's all that matters tonight.
Not bonuses or gifts or turkeys or trees.
See, kids...
It means something different
to everybody.
Now I know what it means to me.
That ain't the frigging Christmas star.
It's the light
on the sewage treatment plant.
Sewer gas.
Don't drop that!
"And the rocket's red glare
"The bombs bursting in air
"Gave proof through the night
"That our flag was still there
"Oh, say does that
"Star-spangled banner yet wave
"O'er the land of the free
"And the home of the brave?"
Play ball!
Merry Christmas, Sparky.
Merry Christmas, honey.
I did it."It's that time
Christmas time is here
"Everybody knows
There's not a better time of year
"Hear that sleigh."
"Gonna make this holiday
As perfect as can be
"Just wait and see
This Christmas vacation.
"This old house
Sure is looking good
"Got ourselves the finest snowman
In the neighborhood.
"Ain't it fun?
"Always on the run
That's how it's done
"On Christmas vacation.
"Let's all deck the halls
"And light the lights
"