The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters (16 Mar. 1982)

Matt Dillon plays a young Jean Shepherd (author and narrator of A Christmas Story). Through Matt, Shep tells several humorous stories about his teen years in an Indiana steel town.

Director:

Richard Bartlett

Writer:

Jean Shepherd

Stars:

Matt Dillon, James Broderick, Barbara Bolton

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Matt Dillon	...	Ralph
James Broderick	...	Dad
Barbara Bolton	...	Mom
Babe Sargent	...	Ludlow Kissel
Jeff Yonis	...	Schwartz (as Jeffery Yonis)
William Lampley	...	Flick
Lisa Jacobsen	...	Pamela
Jay Ine	...	Randy
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Blood	...	John
Christopher Childs	...	Mailman
Arnie Cox	...	Ace
Frank Dolan	...	Mr. Dirks
Ruth Edinburg	...	Mother at Picnic
Dana Hardwick	...	Ledbetter
Andrea McCullough	...	Clara Mae

Storyline

Matt Dillon plays a young Jean Shepherd (author and narrator of A Christmas Story). Through Matt, Shep tells several humorous stories about his teen years in an Indiana steel town.

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Plot Keywords:

indiana | steel town | beauty queen | 1950s | fourth of july | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 March 1982 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Belmont, Massachusetts, USA

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

56 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The High School band featured a real band - The Chelmsford High School Marching Band from Chelmsford, Massachusetts. The movie was filmed in and around the Boston Area. The scene with the practice of the band was filmed in South Boston (those familiar with landmarks will recognize a few). While the band was practicing, dust was thrown into fans to create a "dust bowl" effect as the movie takes place in Indiana.

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Connections

Followed by A Christmas Story 2 (2012)

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Soundtracks

"Ballad of Ludlow Kissel"
Sung by Leigh Brown

User Reviews

Disney Channel Version

The Disney Channel broadcast this movie in the mid 80's. They added an introduction that features Jean Shepherd driving to South of the Border, a fireworks store in South Carolina, in a Rolls Royce. My father recorded the movie from the Disney Channel, so we are fortunate to be able to watch it every year. I haven't tried this, but you might want to contact the Disney Channel and see if they still have a copy. What a great film! Good luck.