‘Christmas Vacation’ Household: Frank Shirley’s House is Glendale Mansion
As Mavis Staples sings at the opening of the 1989 holiday getaway classic “National Lampoon’s Christmas Family vacation,” “It’s that time. Christmastime is below. Every person appreciates there’s not a superior time of 12 months.” Something lesser acknowledged? The yuletide staple (which turns 31 this 7 days!) was mainly shot in Los Angeles, not Chicago in which it was established. Primarily lensed on the Warner Bros. Ranch backlot, sensible places have been used as effectively, such as a stately Colonial Revival in Glendale that served as the household of Frank Shirley (Brian Doyle-Murray), Clark W. Griswold’s (Chevy Chase) bonus-chopping manager.
It is there that Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) commits the Griswold family’s 1st kidnapping (properly, as extensive as you really do not rely that total Walley Entire world safety guard issue in the 1983 original). Upon listening to Clark’s profanity-ridden rant detailing specifically what he would like to say to Mr. Shirley pertaining to his reward currently being swapped with a Jelly of the Month Club membership (the reward that keeps on giving the entire 12 months!), Eddie, whose heart is more substantial than his brain (I appreciate that, Clark!), heads out in his tenement-on-wheels to abduct Frank from his “Melody Lane” manse. In actuality, the regal pad, identified as Bel Aire, is located at 727 West Kenneth Road.
Developed by distinguished nearby businessman Mattison Boyd Jones in 1922, the dwelling options four bedrooms and 4 baths in 5,698 square ft. With a sweeping circular driveway, columned façade, and manicured 1.82-acre lot, the spot screams ritzy control enchantment!
A Town of Glendale historical landmark, the residence features a lengthy list of monitor credits, which include cameos in this sort of throwback collection as “Flamingo Road,” “Columbo,” “Knight Rider,” and “Emerald Level N.A.S.” The elegant pad is also long rumored to have been the inspiration for Tara in the 1939 epic “Gone with the Wind.”