Let the games begin
***image1***In the final days of this year and the first few of the new one, our children, their children, and other extended family members will descend upon the Williams’ house to celebrate Christmas and New Years. My lovely wife, Grace, relishes the warmth and wonders of this season – Advent services, holiday decorating, the neighborhood cookie exchange, and the traditional preparations for food, fun and festivities. This annual avalanche of family enjoys time together, the telling and retelling of stories, pulling a prank or two, and marveling how the little ones have grown since our last reunion. We also renew two Williams’ family traditions whenever the gaggle gathers - board games and movies. The children duked it out over Candy Land before they learned to read and, to this day, will get it on at the drop of a die. Their spouses have become just as competitive, especially son Matt’s sweet wife, Maggie, who morphs into hyper-aggression whenever Pictionary, Cranium, or Trivial Pursuit bragging rights are on the line. Each year, Grace and I will purchase or receive a new game adding fuel to our family feud. The family also fancies flicks – current cinema offerings, televised or TiVo specials, and our own stash of seasonal favorites. No holiday season passes without watching such classics as A Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, and Christmas Vacation. So this year, these two traditions are combined to create a holiday quiz from one of the movies. It is sure to stimulate a good old-fashioned sibling smack-down this season. In case you don’t drop by for one of Grace’s cranberry margaritas, you can still partake in the pleasure of the puzzle. As Maggie would say, "Ready? Go!" DALTON’S "CHRISTMAS VACATION" TRIVIA QUIZ (Note: All answers are worth one point unless otherwise noted. 100 total points possible) 1. In what city do the Griswold’s live? 2. What is Clark Griswold’s nickname, as used by his wife? 3. What is the name of Clark’s: (one point for each name) A. Wife B. Son C. Daughter D. Father E. Mother F. Father-in- law G. Mother-in law 4. What are the first names of the couple that live next door? (one point for each name) 5. What are the first name and relationship to Clark of the older couple that come for Christmas dinner? (four points possible, one point for each answer) 6. How is Eddie related to Clark? 7. Name Eddie’s: (one point for each answer) A. Wife B. Son C. Daughter D. Dog 8. What is the name of the girl behind the lingerie counter? 9. What is the name of Clark’s boss: (one point for each answer) A. First name? B. Last Name? C. Wife’s first name? Here are a few questions 10. What vehicle make and model are the Griswold’s driving? 11. Name the three Christmas songs sung? (one point for each answer) 12. What kind of vehicle are the "two goobers" driving? 13. In addition to the license plate, what other sign do the "two goobers" have on their vehicle? 14. What does Clark say when the Griswold vehicle finally comes to a stop? Here are a few Questions 15. What does he do for a living? 16. What award does his work buddy, Bill, tell him he stands a good chance of winning? 17. For what invention might he win this award? 18. How does Clark describe his invention to Bill? (six possible points, one point for each answer) 19. Describe Clark’s coffee cup during this scene. 20. What is Clark planning to buy with his year-end bonus check? 21. How much has he put down on it in advance? Here are a few 22. Eddie describes his dog as having "a little bit of ------ in him." Fill in the blank. (two points for the correct answer) 23. What does Eddie say his two older children are currently doing? (one point for each) A. Older daughter B. Older boy 24. Identify, by name and color, five items of clothing Eddie wears in the living room scene with Clark (five possible points, one point for each answer). 25. Describe the drinking glasses used by Eddie and Clark. 26. When Eddie and Clark go shopping, how many bags of dog food, and what brands, does Eddie put into the shopping cart? (for each of two brands - one point for the correct number of bags and one point for the brand name). 27. What does Eddie put the last bag of dog food on top of in the shopping cart? 28. What is Eddie drinking when he is emptying his chemical toilet into the storm sewer? 29. What else (in addition to the drink and the chemical toilet hose) is Eddie holding in his hand? Here are a few questions 30. Who cooked the turkey? 31. What piece of turkey does Eddie ask Clark to save for him? 32. Who says the blessing (one point) and what blessing is said (one point)? 33. What does Eddie do during the blessing? 34. What does Eddie say his dog is doing under the table? 35. What does Eddie say when Clark tells the kids that he heard that an airline pilot spotted Santa Claus? And, here are some random questions: 36. How many lights on the Griswold house? 37. What kind of lights? 38. What three animals are in, or under, the tree at different points? (one point for each) 39. What three people faint at different points? (one point for each) 40. What is the name of the delivery company that brings the Christmas bonus? 41. What is the Christmas bonus (revealed by Clark)? 42. What does Eddie say to Clark in response? 43. What is the number on Clark’s Chicago Black Hawks jersey? 45. What two gifts does the elderly woman wrap up and bring to the Griswold’s? (one point for each) 46. What does Clark’s dad say helped him get through the holidays? 47. Name the song and singer from: (one point for each song and each singer) A. Clark’s dream – looking out the kitchen window? B When the police storm the Griswold home? 48. Clark’s boss revises the year-end bonus to what amount? 49. What magazine is Clark reading in bed when he has tree sap all over his hands? 50. Clark’s mother asks Clark’s son to: (one point for each answer) A. Do what for her? (Hint: involves a body part) B. For what reward? (How much?) 51. In the sledding scene: A. How does Clark describe the substance he is rubbing on his sled? (one point for each of three answers) B. How many times "more slippery" is it than regular kitchen oil? C. Where does Clark finally stop at the end of his sled ride? 52. What song does the family sing at the end of the movie? 53. What three words does Clark say at the conclusion of the movie? (three points) DALTON’S "CHRISTMAS VACATION" TRIVIA QUIZ ANSWERS 1. Chicago 2. Sparky 3. A. Ellen E. Nora 4. Todd and Margo 5. Aunt Bethany and Uncle Louis 6. Cousin-in law (will accept cousin also) 7. A. Catherine 8. Mary 9. A. Frank 10. Ford Station wagon. Will also accept: "The Griswold family sleigh." 11. Come Let Us Adore Him; Deck The Halls; We Wish You A Merry Christmas 12. Dodge pick up truck (blue) 13. A sign reading: "Dog on Duty" 14. "Made pretty good time" 15. Works for a food company. More specifically, he designs food additives. 16. Food Additive Designer of the Year 17. The Crunch Enhancer 18. Non-nuclear; Cereal varnish; Semi- permeable; Not Osmotic; Coats and seals the flakes; Prevents the milk from penetrating. 19. Tasmanian Devil coffee cup 20. Put in a swimming pool 21. $7,500 22. Mississippi Leg Hound 23. A. Older daughter is in the clinic being cured of the Wild Turkey B. Older boy has a career in the carnival – working as a turkey dust spreader on the tilt-a –whirl. Next year hopes to guess people’s weight or bark for the yak lady. 24. Green Pants; White Belt; White Shoes; White Sweater; Black (or Dark Green) Dickie 25. Moose Mugs 26. 3 bags of Purina; 1 bag of ‘Ol Boy 27. Light bulbs 28. Meister Brau beer 29. Cigar 30. Catherine (Eddie’s wife) 31. The neck 32. Aunt Bethany says the blessing; The Pledge of Allegiance 33. He stands with his hand on his heart 34. "He’s just yackin’ on a bone." 35. "You serious, Clark?" 36. 25,000 37. Italian twinkle lights 38. Snots, Aunt Bethany’s cat, and a squirrel 39. Clark’s mother and mother-in law (Nora and Francis) in the squirrel scene and Clark when he gets his revised bonus 40. Speed Ball 41. A one-year membership in the Jelly of the Month Club 42. "It’s the gift that keeps on giving all year long" (close variations of this wording are accepted) 43. 00 (zero, zero) 44. Red 45. Her cat and her lime Jell-O mold 46. Jack Daniels 47. A. "Hawaiian Christmas Day" by Bing Crosby B. "Here Comes Santa Claus" by Gene Autry 48. "What you got last year, plus 20%." 49. People Magazine 50. A. Rub a painful burr on her heel B. 25 cents 51. A. Non-caloric; Silicon-based; Kitchen lubricant B. 500 Times 52. The Star Spangled Banner 53. "I did it."
from the trip to the tree lot:
about Clark’s occupation:
questions about Eddie:
from the Christmas dinner scene:
44. What color bathing suit does the girl kick off as Clark daydreams from the kitchen window?
B. Rusty (or Russ)
C. Audrey
D. Clark Griswold Sr. (The Chevy Chase character is Clark Jr.)
F. Arthur
G. Francis
B. Rocky
C. Ruby Sue
D. Snots (or Snotz)
B. Shirley
C. Helen