“You’ll shoot your eye out with that thing!”
With that comment, one of the best holiday movies of all time tells the story of one young boy and his dream present for Christmas – a Red Ryder BB gun!
“A Christmas Story!”
This 1983 Christmas comedy was directed by Bob Clark – a Canadian Director who was also known for the shaggy dog comedy “Beethoven” and the raunchy teen comedy “Porkys” as well!
This film is without a doubt the best of his career: based on iconic Writer Jean Shepherd’s semi-fictional anecdotes in his 1966 book “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash”, with some elements from his 1971 book “Wanda Hickey’s Night of Golden Memories and Other Disasters.”
It is a holiday classic – check out the trailer:
Peter Billingsley is absolutely adorable as Ralphie, who has one of the most memorable holidays ever!
The encounter with the frozen tether flagpole is just one reason…
Yes, his friend got “Double Dog Dared” to lick a frozen flagpole and ended up stuck!
For this scene when Flick’s tongue sticks, a hidden suction tube was used to safely create the illusion that his tongue had frozen to the metal!
“Fra-Gee-Lay!”
And who can forget Dad’s surprise gift – a new lamp that is hilariously inappropriate!
Look at this terrific TBS TV ad for the movie that captures the fun of that scene…as “Dad” Darren McGavin misreads “FRAGILE” as an Italian word…
So funny, so heartwarming!
In fact, this lamp is now a huge holiday gift item!
Here is more great trivia about the film – including another item from the film that is now a best selling holiday gift:
Due to the film’s enduring popularity, the Daisy Rifle Company started producing Red Ryder BB Guns for sale during the Christmas season. It has become one of Daisy’s best selling rifles!
Another great moment is when the family dog eats their Christmas Turkey, so they end up in a Chinese restaurant for their holiday feast!
When they filmed the scene in the Chinese restaurant, Actress Melinda Dillon, who plays “Mom” was purposely given the wrong script, and everyone else was in on it! She had no idea that the duck they delivered to the table would still have its head on – and the first time she saw it was when they were filming! Her reactions during the entire sequence were not scripted at all – that shocked reaction is all her!
Finally, according to Billingsley, studios weren’t really interested in a movie about a little boy in the 1940s who wanted a BB gun for Christmas. Billingsley says the studio agreed to make the film if Director Clark agreed to make a horror film.
Which he did – and it’s another Christmas classic for a very different reason!
Whether the young Actor’s recollection is correct or not, Clark did direct this Christmas shocker – with a stellar cast including Olivia Hussey, Kier Dullea, John Saxon and Margot Kidder!
Click here to see the trailer for this holiday classic shocker!
It is the season for great holiday films, and yes, this is one as well:
The entire film takes place on Christmas Eve AT A CHRISTMAS PARTY – and “Die Hard” is one of the best holiday movies ever!
You can see the trailer and tons of trivia about the movie by clicking on my story here:
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Categories: Art, Books / Media, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Great Films, Movies, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
When Ralphie has to wear the bunny suit… the best!
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We watch The Christmas Story every Christmas Eve. I love the scene where Ralphie’s father develops an obsession with his lamp, and his wife gets disgusted and jealous.
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It’s such a warm and funny slice of life…a look at a “simpler time”, right? And the cast is terrific…funny the Director also made the horror classic “BLACK Christmas” AND the raunchy teen comedy “Porkys!” Thanks for commenting, always great to hear from you!
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A Christmas Story is not ringing any bells for me, John. I must ask Terence if he’s seen it. That lamp looks like it would be a hit.
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The lamp became a pop culture star when the film was released, and lives on today! If you come across it, you’ll have a blast, it’s for the whole family – really funny and touching!
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I always enjoy this movie!
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A favorite of mine – so retro and funny!
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This is one I watch every Christmas!
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A must-see every Christmas season…and beyond
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I still haven’t seen it yet, John! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, it’s really funny, takes place in the 50’s and so it has a real “retro” charm…
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This is my husband’s favourite Christmas movie — he absolutely loves it, haha!
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Thanks for commenting! It has taken its place alongside some of the greatest holiday films of all – part 2 of my countdown will post Saturday!
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