Cousin Eddie’s long-suffering wife Catherine Johnson is an unforgettable figure in the National Lampoon’s Vacation franchise. Played by actress Miriam Flynn, Catherine is a no-nonsense woman with a dry sense of humor and a strong determination to keep her family together. Despite the fact that she lives in a trailer park with her husband and kids, Catherine is proud of her life and fiercely loyal to her kin.
The character first appears in the third installment of the series, National Lampoon’s Vacation: European Vacation (1985). Upon arriving at Cousin Eddie and Catherine’s home, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) is instantly put off by Eddie’s cowboy charm. While Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo) leans over for cover laughing, Clark maintains his judgmental attitude towads their “pet” dog Snot—which has an obvious nasal malfunction.
Underneath it all, however, Catherine proves to be an upstanding citizen who loves her family and will do whatever it takes to protect them. For example, when Clark and Eddie go out on a fishing trip but end up getting lost at sea overnight due to bad weather, it’s Catherine who leads the search party to go find them. She also shows kindness when Clark and Ellen are forced to stay with them after their car breaks down on the way back from Europe; going so far as to give them one of her own beds for the night.
It’s clear that although Cousin Eddie may not always make the best decisions in life, Catherine stands by him no matter what. She has become an iconic character in pop culture history as a symbol of strength and resilience amongst chaotic family dynamics—and we love her for it!
Cousin Eddie: Clark or Ellen’s?
Cousin Eddie, played by Randy Quaid in the National Lampoon’s Vacation franchise, is actually Ellen Griswold’s (Beverly D’Angelo) cousin. It is unclear how exactly they are related, but it has been established that they are cousins when Eddie mentions that his mother was a Griswold. Despite their family connection, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), Ellen’s husband, finds himself unable to handle Eddie’s cowboy charm and aversion to modernity. This leads to some comedic moments between the two as well as with Eddie’s pet dog Snot.
Clark Griswold’s Wife’s Name
Clark Griswold’s wife was named Ellen, and she was portrayed by the iconic actress Beverly D’Angelo. Ellen was a loving mother and wife who often found herself in comedic situations alongside her husband Clark.
Cousin Eddie’s Last Name
Cousin Eddie’s last name is Johnson. This was made evident in the scene when the Griswold’s arrived at Cousin Eddie and Catherine’s house, where a letter “H” was seen on the screen door.
The Origin of Clark Griswold’s Nickname ‘Sparky’
Clark Griswold is called Sparky by his wife, Ellen, in all four Vacation movies. According to Chevy Chase in the DVD commentary for this movie, this nickname was Beverly D’Angelo’s idea and she still affectionately calls him Sparky. It is an endearing term of affection that she uses for her husband, as Sparky is a playful way of referring to Clark.
The Meaning of Being a Griswold
Being a Griswold means being part of a family with a long and proud heritage. The name Griswold is derived from the Old English words greosn (gravel) and weald (woodland), indicating that the family likely has roots in the English countryside. This could mean that the Griswolds have an affinity for nature, or a love of outdoor activities and exploring.
More generally, being a Griswold means having a strong sense of family. A Griswold is likely to have close ties to their extended family, and may have an appreciation for tradition and loyalty. They are likely to be generous, kind-hearted people who are wlling to help out their relatives in times of need.
In addition, being a Griswold can also mean having an eye for detail and quality craftsmanship. The name may suggest an appreciation for fine art, music, or architecture – traits which often run in families from one generation to the next.
Ultimately, the meaning of being a Griswold will depend on the individual person who bears this surname – but it is likely that all Griswolds share some common values such as loyalty, generosity and attention to detail.
Clarks Relationship to Eddie
Clark and Cousin Eddie have a close familial relationship. They are cousins, evidenced by them referring to each other as such throughout the film. Their relationship is characterized by love, understanding, and an easygoing nature between them. Clark is often seen helping Eddie out wenever he needs something, such as when he goes shopping with him in the film. This scene in particular shows the level of affection between them, as Clark doesn’t seem too put off when Eddie piles bags of dog food into his basket. Overall, the two have a strong bond that stands out throughout the movie.
Aunt Edna’s Relationship to Clark Griswold
Aunt Edna is the aunt of Ellen Griswold, who is the wife of Clark Griswold. As such, she is the aunt-in-law of Clark and is related to him through marriage.
Who Is the Owner of Cousin Eddie’s RV?
Cousin Eddie’s RV from the 1989 film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is owned by Castle Noel, a holiday-themed museum and entertainment complex in Medina, Ohio. The owners of Castle Noel acquired the RV from an Los Angeles props shop about a year before the store opened. The RV is now on display at the museum, where visitors can get up close and personal with the iconic vehicle.
The Changing Cast of the Griswolds
The Griswolds have different kids in each of the main films in the series due to a casting change. Originally, Anthony Michael Hall had portrayed Rusty Griswold in National Lampoon’s Vacation and European Vacation, but he declined to reprise his role for European Vacation in order to star in Weird Science. This prompted director Amy Heckerling to request both children be recast. Dana Barron played Audrey Griswold in National Lampoon’s Vacation, wile Juliette Lewis was cast as her sister Rusty in European Vacation. The roles were then reversed for Christmas Vacation, with Lewis playing Audrey and Barron playing Rusty. Johnny Galecki then took over the role of Rusty for Vegas Vacation, while Marisol Nichols replaced Lewis as Audrey. Lastly, for the most recent movie, 2015’s Vacation, Ed Helms played an adult Rusty who is now married with two sons of his own: Kevin (Steele Stebbins) and James (Skyler Gisondo).
The Causes of a Wet Carpet
The carpet is all wet because Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, has been trying to thaw out his frozen Christmas tree. In order to do this, he has been pouring buckets of hot water over it and the water has overflowed onto the carpet.
Are Rusty and Audrey Griswold Twins?
No, Rusty and Audrey Griswold are not twins. In the original “Vacation” movie, Rusty is believed to be the older of the two Griswold children. However, in “Christmas Vacation,” Audrey is portrayed as being the older sibling of Rusty. This unexpected change in their ages was never fully explained and it has been a source of confusion for fans of the franchise ever since.
Is Ruby Sue a Boy?
No, Ruby Sue is not a boy. She is a young girl played by actress Ellen Latzen in the 1983 movie National Lampoon’s Vacation. Ruby Sue is the daughter of Cousin Eddie and Catherine, and is portrayed as a precocious and occasionally foul-mouthed child. She has frizzy hair, wears clothing typical of the time period, and was made famous for her iconic line “I don’t believe in Santa Claus no more.”
Cousin Eddie’s Hat Color
The Cousin Eddie Trooper Hat is a brown hat with green faux fur lining. The exterior is made of brown felt and the inside is lined with soft, green faux fur for extra warmth and comfort.
Does Ruby Sue Wear a Wig in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation?
Yes, Ruby Sue does wear a wig in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. The actress who played her, Ellen Hamilton Latzen, had short pixie hair that producers didn’t think fit her character. As such, Latzen was fitted for a wig and wore it throughout the movie to give Ruby Sue the long blonde hair that she is known for.
Conclusion
Cousin Eddie’s wife, Catherine Johnson, is an important character in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. She is a kind and patient woman who loves her husband despite his endearing eccentricities. She is understanding and accepting of the Griswold family, even when they make jokes about her husband. In addition to being a loving wife and mother, Catherine also has a great sense of humor which she displays during the Griswolds’ visit to their home. Despite her husband’s oten wild behavior, Catherine remains supportive and understanding of him throughout the movie. Her easygoing nature makes her an invaluable member of the family and one that viewers can’t help but admire.
