Summer is here and I am itching to go on a vacation. Whenever I think of summer vacations, there are three 80s movies that always come to mind. Coincidentally, or maybe not, they all happen to have one actor that ties them together and that is the late, great John Candy.

The first one he only played a minor role in and that is 1983's National Lampoon's Vacation written by the incomparable John Hughes and directed by Harold Ramis. This is the tale of the Griswold family on a cross-country trek in the Family Truckster station wagon to visit Wally World. It stars Chevy Chase as the one and only "Clark W. Griswold." This is the original that would spawn several sequels including Christmas Vacation which is one of my very favorite 80s movies. Earlier this year, they even did a short reprise to promote HomeAway.com which I found entertaining. Here's the original trailer for National Lampoon's Vacation...

Somewhat surprising, there is a scene which ranks on my Most Inspirational Speeches from 80s Movies list. The success of the film really helped to advance the screenwriting career of John Hughes. The original story is (reportedly) a fictionalized account of his own ill-fated family trip to Disneyland (changed to Wally World for the film) when Hughes was a boy. As an interesting note, Wally World in the film is really Santa Anita Park for the parking lot and exterior scenes and Six Flags Magic Mountain for the interior and ride scenes. That is where John Candy makes his appearance as "Officer Russ Lasky".

In 1985, Candy would star in another of my favorite summer vacation movies though it is not one of his more well-known films. This is Summer Rental directed by Carl Reiner. Candy plays "Jack Chester" who takes his family down to the fictitious Citrus Cove, Florida for some rest and relaxation. While there, amongst other humorous moments, he ends up challenging a local pompous sailing champion in the big Citrus Cove Regatta. Here is the original trailer for Summer Rental...

The trailer does not do this film justice and I highly recommend you check it out if you never have. It is not fine cinema, but I have always found it entertaining. A scene from Summer Rental ranks on my Best Montage Scenes from 80s Movie list. Joey Lawrence and Kerri Green star as the Chester children and the film also features roles by Rip Torn, John Laroquette and Richard Crenna.

Then in 1988, John Candy is reunited with John Hughes for The Great Outdoors. This film was written and produced by Hughes, directed by Howard Deutch and co-stars Dan Aykroyd. This is one of eight films that have featured both Candy and Aykroyd. Candy plays "Chet Ripley" who is taking his family up to northern Wisconsin on vacation to a lake resort when they are uninvitedly joined by his wife's sister's family. Here is the original trailer for The Great Outdoors...

There are some hilarious scenes including John Candy waterskiing as well as tackling the "Ole 96er" steak. Even though this film is supposed to take place in the fictitious Claire County of northern Wisconsin, it was actually shot on location in Bass Lake, California which is near Yosemite National Park. Both The Great Outdoors and National Lampoon's Vacation rank on my Top John Hughes 80s Movies list.

When I think of summer vacations, I of course first remember some of my personal favorites growing up as a kid or later on as a grown up, but then memories of these three films above are usually not far behind. If you get the chance this summer, I suggest watching any of these three movies again for some summer vacation 80s style hilarity.

That'll wrap up another issue of Kickin' it Old School. Thanks as always for reading. If you are interested in reading any of my other 80s related issues, please click there for a summary of those. If you want to see the past issues of Preview Review, just type that into the Google Search Box at the top of the right hand column and it should give you a list of all of them. You can also always click on the Archives in the upper left hand column or use the Google Search Box at the top of the right hand column to find any other issues you may have missed. If you are a fan of Kickin' it, PLEASE CLICK ON THE FACEBOOK LOGO in the upper right hand column. This will take you to the Fan Page where I ask you to then click on the "Like" button. Even if you are not a Facebook member yet, please consider joining and registering as a fan at that page. You can also follow Old School on Twitter by clicking on the FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER LOGO also in the upper right hand column. This will take you the page and you can just click on the box that says "Follow". I am sending daily 80s tweets, so sign up to get those. Let other 80s fans know about it as well! Peace and much love.