A Christmas Story (1983)

Ralphie has to convince his parents, teachers, and Santa that a Red Ryder B.B. gun really is the perfect gift for the 1940s.

Director:

Bob Clark

Writers:

Jean Shepherd (based on the novel "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash" by), Jean Shepherd (screenplay),

Stars:

Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Scott Schwartz

3 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Melinda Dillon	...	Mother Parker
Darren McGavin	...	The Old Man Parker
Scott Schwartz	...	Flick
Jean Shepherd	...	Ralphie as an Adult (voice)
Ian Petrella	...	Randy
Tedde Moore	...	Miss Shields
R.D. Robb	...	Schwartz
Zack Ward	...	Scut Farkus
Yano Anaya	...	Grover Dill
Jeff Gillen	...	Santa Claus
Peter Billingsley	...	Ralphie
Colin Fox	...	Ming the Merciless (scenes deleted)
Paul Hubbard	...	Flash Gordon (scenes deleted)
Leslie Carlson	...	Christmas Tree Man (as Les Carlson)
Jim Hunter	...	Freight Man

Storyline

Ralphie, a young boy growing up in the '40's, dreams of owning a Red Rider BB gun. He sets out to convince the world this is the perfect gift. But along the way, he runs into opposition from his parents, his teacher, and even good 'ol Santa Claus himself.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | bb gun | school | 1940s | tongue | 

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Taglines:

'Tis better to give than to receive.

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. DVD site

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 November 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Božićna priča

Filming Locations:

3159 W. 11th Street, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 4,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Christmas Tree Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie was set in Hammond Indiana. References were made throughout the film to support this claim. Examples: Harding school (on 165th St.) where Flick stuck his tongue to the flagpole, Goldblatt's department store, the mention of Griffith (a city that borders Hammond), Cleveland Street, Hohman Ave, and other streets that are located in Hammond. Although the movie was not filmed in Hammond the houses and look of the film is very authentic. Jean Shepherd (Writer) grew up in Hammond.

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Goofs

Vehicles parked outside Warren G. Harding School include a 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster and a 1947 Ford half-ton pickup.

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Quotes

The Old Man: [shouting] Don't anybody move! Hold it right there! The fuse is out.

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Crazy Credits

"Ming the Merciless" and "Flash Gordon" are listed as characters despite being cut from the general release.

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Connections

Referenced in The Simpsons Game (2007)

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Soundtracks

"Romeo and Juliet Overture"
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

User Reviews

The funniest, most touching family Christmas film of ALL time!

I lived the life of Ralphie! Even though I'm a girl and was born in the late seventies, my Christmases were much the same as Ralphie's.

From playing Santa on Christmas morning to sipping my Dad's Christmas cocktail to visiting Santa at the department store, I lived the very same Christmas memories. This movie brings out the true essence of Christmas happiness. Everyone, young and old, can relive the magic of being a child.

Ralphie's vibrant imagination and inventiveness in his ploys to seduce his parents into buying him the ultimate gift are "pinch-his-chubby-cheeks" adorable. And Randy...need I say anything?? He is the perfect picture of the baby brother!

This movie is universal in its appeal to audiences of all ages, race, and nationalities. My husband, who grew up in Lebanon and who's first language is Arabic, even knew the famous "oh fudge" line when I first played this movie for him here in the States.

I get giddy every time I sit down to watch this movie. Curling up with a warm cup of cider in front of the fireplace, wrapping Christmas presents, making Christmas cookies, or writing a letter to Santa Claus...those are all perfect times to watch this classic family film. This has been and always will be my all-time favorite Christmas film.