Holidays with Pay (1948)

"Racy" British comedian Frank Randle stars in the farce Holidays With Pay. Predating National Lampoon’s Vacation by over three decades, this episodic endeavor charts the progress–or lack of it–of a family on holiday. The film truly comes to life during the scenes in which a half-baked cousin tries to murder a friend of the family’s daughter. Musical interludes are provided by Randle’s co-star Tessie O’Shea, and by Pat Heywood and Her Troupe. Frank Randle co-wrote the screenplay of Holidays With Pay, understandably reserving the best lines for himself.

1948, B&W, 95 minutes