Oscars 2021: Explore the nominees, videos, photos, and more.
In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie attempts to convince his parents, his teacher and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.

Director:

Bob Clark

Writers:

Jean Shepherd (based on the novel "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash" by), Jean Shepherd (screenplay) | 2 more credits »
Reviews
Popularity
4,063 ( 961)
3 wins & 11 nominations. See more awards »

Videos

Photos

Edit

Cast

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

Storyline

Christmas is approaching and 9 year-old Ralphie wants only one thing: a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun. When he mentions it at the dinner table, his mother's immediate reaction is that he'll shoot his eye out. He then decides on a perfect theme for his teacher but her reaction is like his. He fantasizes about what it would be like to be Red Ryder and catch the bad guys. When the big day arrives he gets lots of present under the tree including a lovely gift from his aunt that his mother just adores. But what about the BB gun? Written by garykmcd

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Sometimes Christmas is about getting what you really want. See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Family

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

The radio in the Parker home which Ralphie listens to Little Orphan Annie on is a 1940 Canadian Westinghouse model 780-X. See more »

Goofs

It's the Buck Jone Daisy Rifle that has the compass and sundial, not the Red Ryder Daisy Rifle. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Ralphie as an Adult: [narrating] Ah, there it is. My house, and good old Cleveland Street. How could I ever forget it? And there I am, with that dumb round face and that stupid stocking cap. Oh, but no matter. Christmas was on its way. Lovely, glorious, beautiful Christmas, around which the entire kid year revolved.
See more »

Crazy Credits

The entire end credits play over the Parkers house outside with snow falling See more »

Alternate Versions

Theatrical and home video versions have the end credits scrolling in red text over a shot of the Parker house. The airings on TBS in the United States have the credits on white over a black background. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Clarkworld (2009) See more »

Soundtracks

Wintermärchen
(uncredited)
Music by Alphons Czibulka
See more »

User Reviews

 
Family holiday fun
9 January 2004 | by Jennydavis131See all my reviews

A Christmas story is a classic holiday film that is very funny and entertaining. This is a movie that should be viewed by everyone, and can been seen on television during thanksgiving and Christmas time. In most families, this film is already a tradition to watch every year and that's because it has a wonderful plot, great characters and believable actors.

A Christmas Story is about an average middle class family living in a small town in the 1940's. The film contains an average family of a regular husband and wife relationship and two young boys. The eldest of the boys is named Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) who is the star of the film. All that Ralphie wants is to have a perfect Christmas containing the perfect gift, a Red Ryder carbon action BB gun. This is all that Ralphie can think about day and night. When Ralphie has to write a Theme about what he wants for Christmas, his teacher replies to him `you'll shoot your eye out' which seems to be the only reply to him throughout the whole film.

What makes this film so great is the ability to relate to Ralphie with his problems throughout the movie, such as wanting that one gift that everyone thinks that you're too young to have and are unable to get. The acting is very convincing and makes you think that this could even be you in the movie.

There are some very hilarious parts in this film that also make it very good. This particular scene also contains some very cheesy acting which also makes it funny. Ralphie has a dream about getting his Red Ryder BB gun and saving his family from a bunch of evil villains. In this scene Ralphie is wearing the white sparkly cowboy suit and he shoots down the evil villains and saves the day with his gun in a very unrealistic way.

There really wasn't much music that can be commented on in this movie, just that it was the orchestral type of music that was out in the time period of the 40's. The costumes where great and convincing. I also liked how real they made the 40's look. You actually think it might have been made in that time period which makes the film very authentic.

I would recommend this film to anyone who wants some holiday laughs and some great family time together. I would rate this film a 9 out of ten because it's so memorable.


45 of 67 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
Review this title | See all 535 user reviews »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more »
Edit

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. DVD site

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 November 1983 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

A Christmas Story See more »

Edit

Box Office

Budget:

$3,300,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,072,473, 20 November 1983

Gross USA:

$20,640,209

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$20,653,717
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »

Contribute to This Page



Recently Viewed