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IMDbPro

Joulutarina

Original title: A Christmas Story
  • 19831983
  • SS
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
147K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,124
64
Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Jeff Gillen, and Darren McGavin in Joulutarina (1983)
Official Clip: It's a Major Award!
Play trailer0:54
10 Videos
99+ Photos
ComedyFamily

In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie Parker attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie Parker attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie Parker attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.

IMDb RATING
7.9/10
147K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,124
64
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • 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 production, box office & company info
    • 572User reviews
    • 92Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
    • 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

    Photos185

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

    Top cast

    Edit
    Peter Billingsley
    Peter Billingsley
    • Ralphie Parker
    Melinda Dillon
    Melinda Dillon
    • Mother Parker
    Darren McGavin
    Darren McGavin
    • The Old Man Parker
    Scott Schwartz
    Scott Schwartz
    • Flick
    Jean Shepherd
    • Ralphie as an Adult
    • (voice)
    Ian Petrella
    • Randy Parker
    Tedde Moore
    Tedde Moore
    • Miss Shields
    R.D. Robb
    R.D. Robb
    • Schwartz
    Zack Ward
    Zack Ward
    • Scut Farkus
    Yano Anaya
    Yano Anaya
    • Grover Dill
    Jeff Gillen
    • Santa Claus
    Colin Fox
    Colin Fox
    • Ming the Merciless
    • (scenes deleted)
    Paul Hubbard
    Paul Hubbard
    • Flash Gordon
    • (scenes deleted)
    Leslie Carlson
    Leslie Carlson
    • Christmas Tree Man
    • (as Les Carlson)
    Jim Hunter
    • Freight Man
    Patty Johnson
    • Head Elf
    Drew Hocevar
    • Male Elf
    David Svoboda
    • Kid with Goggles
    • 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
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    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
      A kid in a classroom scene has The Dukes of Hazzard (1979) digital watch.
    • 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. This also happened on the Cartoon Network airing as well.
    • 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 reviews572

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    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.
    helpful•119
    39
    • Kimta
    • Mar 15, 1999

    FAQ13

    • 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
      • December 6, 1984 (Finland)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Warner Bros. DVD site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Eräs joululahja
    • 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
      • $20,778,141
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,072,473
      • Nov 20, 1983
    • Gross worldwide
      • $20,791,649
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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    Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Jeff Gillen, and Darren McGavin in Joulutarina (1983)
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