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    A Christmas Story

    • 19831983
    • PGPG
    • 1h 33min
    IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    137K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,846
    484
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    A Christmas Story (1983)
    Official Clip: It's a Major Award!
    Play trailer0:54
    10 Videos
    99+ Photos
    ComedyFamily

    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.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.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.

    IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    137K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,846
    484
    • Director
      • Bob Clark
    • Writers
      • Jean Shepherd(based on the novel "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash" by)
      • Leigh Brown(screenplay)
      • Bob Clark(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Peter Billingsley
      • Melinda Dillon
      • Darren McGavin
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Bob Clark
    • Writers
      • Jean Shepherd(based on the novel "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash" by)
      • Leigh Brown(screenplay)
      • Bob Clark(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Peter Billingsley
      • Melinda Dillon
      • Darren McGavin
    • See more at IMDbPro
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 535User reviews
    • 90Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 11 nominations

    Videos10

    A Christmas Story
    Trailer 0:54
    A Christmas Story
    A Christmas Story
    Trailer 1:22
    A Christmas Story
    'A Christmas Story' | Spotlight
    Clip 1:23
    'A Christmas Story' | Spotlight
    The Worst Gifts in Our Favorite Holiday Films
    Clip 2:37
    The Worst Gifts in Our Favorite Holiday Films
    Holiday Movies and TV Specials That Get You in the Spirit
    Clip 2:06
    Holiday Movies and TV Specials That Get You in the Spirit
    What Are These Stars Watching This Holiday Season?
    Full Episode 3:11
    What Are These Stars Watching This Holiday Season?
    Which 8 Christmas Movies Almost Had Completely Different Stars?
    Video 2:34
    Which 8 Christmas Movies Almost Had Completely Different Stars?
    You Just Watched: 'A Christmas Story'
    Video 4:40
    You Just Watched: 'A Christmas Story'
    Dates in Movie & TV History: Christmas Eve
    Video 2:08
    Dates in Movie & TV History: Christmas Eve
    "No Small Parts" IMDb Exclusive: Peter Billingsley
    Video 2:22
    "No Small Parts" IMDb Exclusive: Peter Billingsley

    Photos183

    Peter Billingsley in A Christmas Story (1983)
    Peter Billingsley and Jeff Gillen in A Christmas Story (1983)
    Peter Billingsley in A Christmas Story (1983)
    Peter Billingsley and Melinda Dillon in A Christmas Story (1983)
    Peter Billingsley and Scott Schwartz in A Christmas Story (1983)
    Peter Billingsley in A Christmas Story (1983)
    Peter Billingsley and Jeff Gillen in A Christmas Story (1983)
    Peter Billingsley in A Christmas Story (1983)
    Peter Billingsley at an event for A Christmas Story (1983)
    Peter Billingsley, Bob Clark, R.D. Robb, Scott Schwartz, and Zack Ward at an event for A Christmas Story (1983)
    A Christmas Story (1983)
    A Christmas Story (1983)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Peter Billingsley
    Peter Billingsley
    • Ralphieas Ralphie
    Melinda Dillon
    Melinda Dillon
    • Mother Parkeras Mother Parker
    Darren McGavin
    Darren McGavin
    • The Old Man Parkeras The Old Man Parker
    Scott Schwartz
    Scott Schwartz
    • Flickas Flick
    Jean Shepherd
    • Ralphie as an Adultas Ralphie as an Adult
    • (voice)
    Ian Petrella
    • Randyas Randy
    Tedde Moore
    Tedde Moore
    • Miss Shieldsas Miss Shields
    R.D. Robb
    R.D. Robb
    • Schwartzas Schwartz
    Zack Ward
    Zack Ward
    • Scut Farkusas Scut Farkus
    Yano Anaya
    Yano Anaya
    • Grover Dillas Grover Dill
    Jeff Gillen
    • Santa Clausas Santa Claus
    Colin Fox
    Colin Fox
    • Ming the Mercilessas Ming the Merciless
    • (scenes deleted)
    Paul Hubbard
    Paul Hubbard
    • Flash Gordonas Flash Gordon
    • (scenes deleted)
    Leslie Carlson
    Leslie Carlson
    • Christmas Tree Manas Christmas Tree Man
    • (as Les Carlson)
    Jim Hunter
    • Freight Manas Freight Man
    Patty Johnson
    • Head Elfas Head Elf
    Drew Hocevar
    • Male Elfas Male Elf
    David Edward
    • Kid with Gogglesas Kid with Goggles
    • (as David Svoboda)
    • Director
      • Bob Clark
    • Writers
      • Jean Shepherd(based on the novel "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash" by) (screenplay)
      • Leigh Brown(screenplay)
      • Bob Clark(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    Storyline

    Edit
    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? —garykmcd
    christmasbb guntongue stuck on a poleboy1940s136 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Sometimes Christmas is about getting what you really want.
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Family
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      For the scene in which Flick's tongue sticks to the flagpole, a hidden suction tube was used to safely create the illusion that his tongue had frozen to the metal.
    • Goofs
      Before Ralphie and Randy get in line to visit Santa in Higbee's Department store, The Wizard of Oz (1939) characters pass by, and the witch tries to talk to Ralphie, who won't interact with her because he's busy 'thinking'. Watch Randy's face in this scene as he comes out of character for a moment and smiles at a scared little girl, who is off camera. She was afraid of the witch during rehearsal, and never really was able to handle her presence.
    • Quotes

      Ralphie as an Adult: [narrating] Only one thing in the world could've dragged me away from the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window.

    • Crazy credits
      Early home video copies contained the following text immediately after the end credits:

      "THIS TRANSFER IS DEDICATED TO 'POPPY' JOE BLUTH 1984."
    • 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.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: A Christmas Story/Star 80/Running Brave/Streamers (1983)
    • Soundtracks
      The Hut-Sut Song (A Swedish Serenade)
      Written by Leo Killion, Ted McMichael, and Jack Owens

      Performed by Sammy Kaye and His Orchestra

    User reviews535

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Just wonderful
    Nostalgic tale of a Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) growing up in the 1940s (I believe). He wants nothing more than a Red Ryder Ranger Model Air Rifle (a BB gun for short) for Christmas but everyone tells him it will "shoot your eye out".

    That's about it for plot but the film has sequences that every child (and adult) can relate to. My favorites: Ralphie's best friend getting his tongue stuck to a pole when he's dared to lick it; Ralphie accidentally swearing in front of his father; the bully that threatens Ralphie and his friends every day until Ralphie beats him up (in a GREAT scene); Ralphie's constant fights with his little brother (wonderfully played by Ian Petrella) and Billingsley and his brother being terrified by a department store Santa.

    Also Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin are just great as the parents-- especially Dillon. She has one uproarious scene where she gets Petrella to eat by imitating a pig! This was totally ignored when it came out in 1983 but has slowly developed a cult following. It's now considered one of the best Christmas movies ever made--right up there with "It's a Wonderful Life" (which was also ignored at its release).

    A charming, wonderful Christmas film. A 10 all the way!
    helpful•93
    38
    • preppy-3
    • Dec 23, 2004

    FAQ7

    • What is 'A Christmas Story' about?
    • Is this movie based on a book?
    • When and where does the story take place?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 18, 1983 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Official site
      • Warner Bros. DVD site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Božićna priča
    • Filming locations
      • 3159 W. 11th Street, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
    • Production companies
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
      • Christmas Tree Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,300,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $20,640,209
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,072,473
      • Nov 20, 1983
    • Gross worldwide
      • $20,653,717
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 33min
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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