National Lampoon’s Vacation is an iconic summer film famous for it’s hilarious take on the classic road trip comedy. Released in 1983, the movie follows the Griswold family — Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), his wife Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo), and their children Rusty (Anthony Michael Hall) and Audrey (Dana Barron) — as they embark on an epic cross-country journey to visit the renowned Walley World amusement park. Throughout their misadventures, the film captures the hilarious essence of a family vacation, complete with a dead aunt tied to the station wagon roof, gross-out Hamburger Helper meals, and a mystery blonde in a Ferrari!
With the 40th anniversary of the July 29, 1983 release of National Lampoon’s Vacation approaching, Hollywoodlife spoke EXCLUSIVELY to Dana Barron to get the 4-1-1 on all the behind-the-scenes shenanigans. The stunning actress, who found a legion of fans on the OG Beverly Hills 90210 as well, fondly recalled being the originator of the “Audrey” role that would eventually be played by multiple actresses.
Dana also dished the details on filming with the mystery blonde herself, Christie Brinkley! The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue icon was credited in National Lampoon’s Vacation as “Girl in the red Ferrari” and made multiple appearances throughout the film as the object of Clark’s obsession, culminating in a skinny dipping scene at a motel pool. Our sit-down with Dana not only revealed that Christie was a down-to-earth costar, but also that she was given an adorable nickname by the cast at the time of shooting!
“Christie was what they called the ‘Weather Girl’ because she came on set and hung out with us and we didn’t know if she would be filming that day because it depended if it was gonna be raining or not,” Dana explained. “Her scene was basically first in the bar restaurant and then eventually in the pool. So she was waiting cause if there was gonna be a rain problem, she could just be with us.”
And it was certainly a good sign when the forecast called for wet weather. “[Christie] had a great time just hanging out and shopping all day long. And I had fun hanging out with her by the pool and eventually I went to her house in Malibu when we went back to California film.” Dana added, “So we all really bonded on this trip.”
She went on to say that Christie was such a big star at the time, the Vacation cast was able to get in to VIP places on the model’s name alone. “So we got invited everywhere, above and beyond other people in the movie. So it was just extra special fun.”
The experience on set sounded like “extra special fun” was the name of the game, according to Dana. “What was great about it is that here we are in the summer, all on vacation, traveling four or five different states; we had a vacation on ‘Vacation!’ So when we weren’t filming, we were hanging out eating or horseback riding or water skiing or just shopping.”
Above all, Dana is proud to be part of an iconic comedy that continually brings so much joy to people year after year. “It’s fantastic, especially with the fans because it’s like, they come up to me, ‘You’re the one who saved our family because your Griswolds were so horrible, more horrible than our family vacation, so we’re okay with our vacation now,” she said laughing.” So it’s an honor to be that kind of icon and that status symbol for American families on film. I love it.”
And the fans love her! And love to tell her about their vacation horror stories. “I get to meet them at the conventions and I have easily over 100 stories that I’m collecting for a book that I’m putting together,” Dana explained. “Lots of behind-the-scenes stories. Very fun.”
Very fun indeed, as four decades later, National Lampoon’s Vacation continues to entertain audiences with its hilariousness. Now, fans can join in the 40th anniversary celebration and experience the film for the first time in 4K UHD as well!