The Eighties Online

National Lampoon's Vacation from the Summer of 1983 - One of the best movies of the 80s.

The Griswolds have planned all year for a great summer vacation. From their suburban Chicago home, across America, to the wonders of the Walley World fun park in Southern California, every step of the way has been carefully plotted.

Except for a few hysterical exceptions.

National Lampoon's Vacation is 26 years old and still a goofy comedy classic thanks to a great cast and an exceptional group of comedy writers and great directing.

When you look back at the last four to five decades the 80's seem to stand out. Throwing a 80's party is one of the best ways to relive the 80's.

The time period provides to some of the best 80s costumes. The 80’s were when times were simple, and big hair was in. It was the decade that dared to wear Day-Glo wardrobes, and danced to Flashdance and Footloose.

This was a decade driven by music such as Madonna, Wham and Prince. The decade that brought the first wave of Glam metal (big hair bands) into the mainstream with bands like: Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, and Quiet Riot. When movies like Top Gun, An Officer and a Gentleman, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Breakfast Club and Say Anything became every teen's rite of passage.

So much happened during the 80's, that it makes throwing different types of 80 costumes theme parties very easy. A popular 80's theme is a Madonna or Prince party. Both of these icons had so many different looks, that it will give your guest with plenty to choose from.

There's some good gags on this romp from 1980. Also, a great cast of characters.

Cheech must deal with losing his job, his angry neighbor, and trying to score with sexy Donna. Along the way they meet everyone from Pee Wee Herman to really cool aliens.

Meanwhile, Chong meets Cheech's cousin Red and the two have a wild time in Hollywood with a big bag of buds and a cool Ferrari.

The Cast Features Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Evelyn Guerrero, Edie McClurg, and Paul Reubens

Courtesy of Universal City Studios, Inc. and Hulu.Com 1980

The 80s was one of the most remarkable decades ever as far as fashion was concerned. 80s fashion involved not only clothing, but also accessories, hair and makeup. For women, the hair was as important as the outfit.

One of the hairstyles that women coveted in the 80s was called "big hair" or "skyhigh hair." This involved teasing your entire head of hair so that it became about three times its actual size, but the biggest part of your hair was definitely the bangs.

You were to curl them, tease them, and then cover them with enough hairspray that when flattened, they would spring back to attention immediately. Some would say that the Aqua net used to hold this hair in place is a big reason our ozone layer is in trouble.

Another 80s fashion look for hair was the side ponytail. Mallrats and celebrities made this hairstyle popular and what made it even better was not only if you had your hair in the side ponytail, but if you added extra fun to it by crimping it (making it look wavy) or by adding the huge bangs along with the side ponytail. Pop icons like Debbie Gibson and Tiffany wore their hair this way which made it popular among all women in the 80s.

Alyssa Milano got her start on Who's the Boss. she's all grown up now and recently engaged. Who's the Boss offers yet more Classic 80s TV viewing and it is quite a wholesome television series.

Who's the Boss is a TV show about Tony Micelli, a former major-league baseball player, played by Tony Danza and his daughter Samantha, played my Alyssa Milano.

The two arrive at the Connecticut household of executive Angela Bower, where Tony has taken a job as live-in housekeeper. the housekeeper, Angela Bauer, the career-woman, their kids Samantha and Jonathon, and Mona, Angela's man-crazy mother.

Angela is uptight and obsessed with her work. Her son Jonathan is shy and lacks self-esteem, and her mother, Mona, is a man-hungry vixen. Tony soon wins them over with his laid back style, and the Bowers soon begin to loosen up. Over time, romantic tensions begin to surface between Angela and Tony, and we see the children grow up.

Tony is a funny and loveable father and man, with good-looking Italian looks, who tries to be the best possible for his daughter and everybody else.