​Heroic World's Scott Cranford's
Christmas Vacation

Hands Up Griswolds! SWAT Cranford & Chmielecki with cast.

Eric Chmielecki and Scott Cranford as SWAT team members on Christmas Vacation.

I was 21 when I worked on Christmas Vacation as a SWAT team member who disrupts the Griswold family's holiday. The movie worked a bunch of days at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, CA and a few nights on the Warner Bros. Ranch up the street. The best part was being able to work on with my high school pal, Eric Chmielecki. We got cast together a lot. When we worked on Christmas Vacation we had no idea it would become a Christmas classic. It was a fun set. I remember joking around with young Jonny Galecki and talked to Juliette Lewis. We came up with the idea of the SWAT guys cracking and eating walnuts in the background. Chevy Chase liked it and used it in the movie. Eric would sometimes bring a camera to sets and coordinated the photos so I give him credit for the pics existing.

Mae Questel was fun. Everyone was buzzing about what a legend she was for voicing both Betty Bopp and Olive Oil.

This is the front door of the Griswold's House at the Warner Ranch in Burbank. We took these pics while the crew was at lunch.

At the Griswold's front door at the Warner Ranch, ready to burst in.

Protecting... nothing.

They asked the SWAT guys who could sing, I said I was the lead in two musicals, Oliver and Amahl and the night visitors, so they put me in the shot. I am farthest right. I'm happy to see people still enjoying this movie and I am grateful for being a small part of it. 
- Scott Cranford