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Beverly D’Angelo Confirms Christmas Vacation Crotch-Grab Was an Improvised One-Take Moment

She says the ad-libbed gesture stayed in the film because it was the only usable shot from the final take of the day.

Overview

  • In interviews published Dec. 25, D’Angelo said the brief hand placement was not in the script and that she added it during the last take.
  • She recalled telling Chevy Chase beforehand; he agreed but warned, “You can’t do that,” believing the director would not allow it.
  • D’Angelo said viewers are noticing the subtle gag more now as people watch on larger screens and the movie streams widely each holiday season.
  • She also recounted that a trained squirrel used for a scene was replaced and that additional moments relied on a stuffed prop, describing it as her recollection.
  • Media interest in the moment coincides with D’Angelo promoting new work, including the thriller Sleepwalker.