A Christmas Story

For Christmas films released in my lifetime, none has been more beloved than 1983's A CHRISTMAS STORY.  One that was truly discovered after its original theatrical release, with endless runs on cable that eventually led the TNT and TBS networks to play the film for twenty-four hours straight between Dec. 24 and 25.  The film is based on humorist Jean Shepherd's semi-autobiographical writings, as well as his anecdotes heard on radio shows and in his live act on college campuses.  I learned more about Shepherd (who co-wrote this film with Leigh Brown and director Bob Clark) from Donald Fagen, who was an admirer and attended one of those college shows, as described in his book Eminent Hipsters.  You can also find a wealth of the radio programs on YouTube.   If you are a fan of A CHRISTMAS STORY's wry yet warm humor, it would behoove you to catch some of them, though be prepared for a little more edge...

Shepherd's remembrance is of growing up in the midwest in the 1930s, forever coveting a Red Ryder BB gun.  Ahem, a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle.  Young Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) thinks of little else, but his parents, teachers, and even Santa Claus warn him that he'll "shoot his eye out."  Meanwhile,  he and his brother Randy (Ian Petrella) brave neighborhood bullies and their neighbors' pack of dogs that eventually manage to breach the Parkers' kitchen, leading to a smile inducing final scene. 

Those who grew up in the '30s and '40s (very nicely evocated here) will enjoy the bits involving the Ovaltine decoder pin and the penalties for swearing.  Anyone whose hometowns were blessed with white Christmases will chuckle at Ralphie's father's (billed only as "The Old Man", nicely portrayed by Darren McGavin) battle with a furnace, the tongue and flagpole sequence, and the multitude of winter weather layering that makes bodily movement impossible. 

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the infamous "leg lamp.", beloved by the Old Man as much as the Red Ryder is by his son.   Did Mrs. Parker (Melinda Dillon) really accidentally break it?

I've always been fascinated and somewhat mystified that this lightly satirical holiday favorite was directed by Bob Clark, otherwise best known for PORKY'S and several earlier horror movies (including BLACK CHRISTMAS).   There is nothing in those other films to indicate Clark could produce such a gentle, non-exploitive feature.  It really is something.  I have to admire the diversity, as many directors simply repeat themselves.   I wish Clark would've used this method more often.  He might've even created more family features of quality, counter to the dozens if not hundreds of others that are just insipid.  With Shepherd (who narrates) he managed to make the time locked memories of A CHRISTMAS STORY entertaining for many much younger viewers, even to this day.   I'll never stop loving this movie.

Merry Christmas!