“You’ll shoot yer eye out!!”
Undoubtedly, the funniest Christmas movie ever made.
Released on Thanksgiving of 1983, A Christmas Story quickly came and went from most theaters with little fanfare. The film was released to very mixed reviews, most of them negative. I had graduated from High School that year and honestly don’t remember ever hearing a single word about the movie when it came out. I probably did not even see it for the first time until it made it onto HBO or came out on VHS.
In case you have been living in a cave (or West Virginia) and have not noticed, the film has evolved into a modern day Holiday Classic. Not even “It’s a wonderful Life”, “A Christmas Carol”, or “Miracle on 34Th Street” get the 24hr Television marathon showings at Christmas that this little film now enjoys.
We go to my Wife’s Grandmothers house for Christmas Eve dinner. A Christmas Story is on the TV in the background.
Afterwards, we go to my In-Laws house to open presents. A Christmas Story is on the TV in the background.
We get up on Christmas morning to open Santa Claus presents and stockings. A Christmas Story is on the TV in the background.
We vacation in Cancun in July, return to the Hotel Room after a hot day of laying in the sun drinking margaritas. A Christmas Story is on the TV (in Spanish) in the background.
The movie is a non-stop riot with too many classic lines and jokes to list here. Surely, like me, you have now seen or heard the movie about 12,852 times and can recite the dialogue in your sleep.
Admit it, like me, you cannot see the word “fragile” on a box without blurting out “FRAH-GHEE-LAY”….”It’s French! It’s a Major Prize! I won a Major Prize!”
What a Classic!
The film starred:
Peter Billingsley – Ralphie
Darren McGavin – Dad
Melinda Dillon – Mom
Today, Peter Billingsley is 40 and is working as an actor, producer, and director. He most recently directed the 2009 Vince Vaughn comedy “Couples Retreat”.
Sadly, Darren McGavin passed away in 2006.
The house featured in the film is located in Cleveland, Ohio and is completely restored and is open to the public as the “Christmas Story” house.
I wonder if that hideous leg lamp is in the window?…..
I love this movie! Just watched it last night actually. I love the look on Ralphie’s face when he finally gets the gun. It’s really such a strange little movie, but it’s so classic.
He looks like a deranged Easter Bunny.
I love this movie. I have been known to pull out the dvd and watch it in the middle of summer.