Chevy Chase is coming to Raleigh to screen ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’

Chevy Chase has had a storied career in comedy, from television (“Saturday Night Live” and “Community”) to the big screen (“Caddyshack” and “Fletch”).

But perhaps he is best known by today’s generations for his role in the National Lampoon’s “Vacation” films, especially 1989’s “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” Like clockwork, it sneaks onto our TV screens as the holiday season approaches.

The mishaps of Clark Griswold and family are like comfort food this time of year. So it’s not surprising that many have it on their “best of” lists for holiday films.

Chase, himself, will come to Raleigh Memorial Auditorium Dec. 30 for An Evening with Chevy Chase — a conversation about the classic film, followed by a screening. (Yes, we know Christmas will be over, but we’re OK with that.)

Tickets start at $50. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The event is at 7:30 p.m. dukeenergycenterraleigh.com

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’

It’s the season for multiple screenings of classic Christmas movies, and none gets more play than Frank Capra’s immortal fantasy drama “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

The 1946 film, which stars James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore, has several screenings in the Triangle this month: Dec. 13 at the Carolina Theatre in Durham; Dec. 15 at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Raleigh; Dec. 19 and 22 at The Cary theater; and Dec. 23 at the Rialto in Raleigh.

These venues will also be showing a bunch of other vintage yuletide gems as detailed below, as well as a few films for those who are looking to take a break from the season. Go to the theaters’ websites for show times.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

The Alamo has a rich roster of Christmas flicks lined up, including “Elf ” (2003), “A Christmas Story” (1983), “The Grinch” (2018), and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989). But once “Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker” and “Cats” come out on Dec. 19, they’ll be showing little else. drafthouse.com/raleigh.

The Cary

It’s become tradition at The Cary to screen the sing-along version of the beloved 1954 musical rom-com “White Christmas,” starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney. Look for showings Dec. 13-15.

Other Christmas-themed features include “The Polar Express” (2004), “Jingle All the Way” (1996), and showings of “Elf,” which will include a “snowball fight.” Patrons are encouraged to bring balled-up socks in place of snowballs. After the film, the socks will be collected and donated to a local charity.

On the non-Christmas front, the Cary will be screening the 2001 French rom com “Amélie” as part of the Indie 101 series. 919-462-2051 or thecarytheater.com.

Carolina Theatre

Another decidedly non-Christmas offering is the 1976 cult horror flick “God Told Me To,” which will screen as part of the Cinema Overdrive series on Dec. 18. 919-560-3030 or carolinatheatre.org.

The Rialto’s Monday at the Movies

“The Sting” (1973), starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, shows on Dec. 16. On Dec. 30, it’s the 1945 rom-com, “Christmas in Connecticut,” starring Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan and Sydney Greenstreet. 919-834-2233 or ambassadorcinemas.com.

‘Blue Velvet’ live

On Dec. 14, Holy Mountain Printing art gallery will host a special presentation of David Lynch’s 1986 cult classic “Blue Velvet” accompanied by a live synth score by composer/performer Micah Moses. The screening is at 7 p.m. at the gallery, 2810 Yonkers Road, Unit 1D, Raleigh. Free. Limited seating available, then standing-room only. holymountainprinting.com

This story was originally published December 11, 2019 at 11:15 AM.