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.
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
Contrary to common belief, this is not the first portrayal of Jean Shepherd's work. The year before A Christmas Story was released, the PBS television show American Playhouse featured an episode called The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters (1982, season 1, episode 10). This was written and hosted by Jean Shepherd and featured Matt Dillon playing an older teen-aged Ralph (Ralphie). "The Great American Fourth of July..." also had, of course, Randy, "the Old Man", Mother Parker, Flick, and Schwartz. Similarly to A Christmas Story, this made-for-TV movie contained one main story and several subplots or smaller stories. It also takes place in the same town and makes references to things that are featured in the movie A Christmas Story (for example the leg lamp), which would be in theaters the next year (1983). See more »
Goofs
The car that passes by Warren G. Harding School is a 1940 Ford V8 De Luxe. This film can be placed in 1939 by the Orphan Annie radio show still being hosted by Ovaltine. 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.
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Crazy Credits
Early home video copies contained the following text immediately after the end credits:
"THIS TRANSFER IS DEDICATED TO 'POPPY' JOE BLUTH 1984." 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 »
I've been aware of this movie for years thanks to the TBS yearly marathon but never been inclined to watch. Glad I finally gave it a chance bc it was enjoyable especially those moments when we'd see Ralphie's desires on-screen. Definitely one that could become a part of my xmas rotation
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I've been aware of this movie for years thanks to the TBS yearly marathon but never been inclined to watch. Glad I finally gave it a chance bc it was enjoyable especially those moments when we'd see Ralphie's desires on-screen. Definitely one that could become a part of my xmas rotation