10 Things You Didn’t Know About “A Christmas Story” (1983)

A Christmas Story, the 1983 American holiday giggle-fest directed by the legendary Bob Clark, takes its inspiration from Jean Shepherd’s delightfully half-baked yarns found in his 1966 book, In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash—because who wouldn’t want to learn about the joys of awkward family dinners and the (questionable) charm of leg lamps during the most wonderful time of the year?

The film follows young Ralphie, played by Peter Billingsley, who yearns for a Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle.

Ralphie faces numerous hurdles in his Christmas quest for the coveted toy, including a grumpy department store Santa and his mother’s warning that he’ll “shoot his eye out.”

The film has become a holiday classic and is often shown on television during the Christmas season.

It was a moderate box office success, earning $19 million over its original run, but it has since become an iconic film, ranked number one on Bravo’s “100 Funniest Movies” list and number two in the American Film Institute’s list of the funniest American films of all time.

A Christmas Story – The Cast

The film boasts an outstanding cast that brings the story to life with infectious enthusiasm, featuring the talented Peter Billingsley as the endearing Ralphie, the remarkable Darren McGavin (who also starred in The Night Stalker) portraying his loving father, the wonderful Melinda Dillon as his nurturing mother, and none other than the legendary Jeff Gillen embodying the iconic Santa Claus, creating an unforgettable cinematic experience that captures the magic of the holiday season!

The film also spawned a sequel and a Broadway musical.

With that being said, here are 10 things you may not have known about A Christmas Story:

1. The film was almost named “Dude, Where’s My BB Gun?”

2. Peter Billingsley was chosen to play Ralphie in part because the producers thought he looked exactly like Jean Shepherd as a boy.

3. The leg lamp seen in the film is an exact replica of one Shepherd’s mother owned when he was growing up.

4. The family’s home is based on a house located in Hammond, Indiana where Jean Shepherd grew up.

5. The idea for a living room full of presents was taken directly from Shepherds’ childhood recollections.

Brrrrrrrrrr

6. The temperature on the day they filmed the scene where Flick’s tongue gets stuck to the flagpole was -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. Flick, the boy who gets his tongue stuck to the flagpole, is played by Scott Schwartz, who also appeared in the movie THE TOY with Richard Pryor and Jackie Gleason in 1982

8. The film was shot in the same school used for “Stranger Than Paradise” (1984).

9. It took Bob Clark 18 months to get a studio to finance the film.

10. The movie was a box office success, earning $19 million over its original run. It went on to become a holiday classic, ranked number one on Bravo’s “100 Funniest Movies” list and number two in the American Film Institute’s list of the funniest American films of all time.

A Christmas Story

A Christmas Story will definitely get you into the holiday spirit! It’s a delightful and funny classic that everyone can enjoy.

Whether you love the original film or want something fun to watch during the holidays, this is a must-see!

“You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out, Kid” – Santa Claus

A Christmas Story Cast:

• Peter Billingsley – Ralphie Parker
• Darren McGavin – The Old Man Parker
• Melinda Dillon – Mother Parker
• Ian Petrella – Randy Parker
• Tedde Moore – Miss Shields
• Scott Schwartz – Flick
• Jean Shepherd – Ralphie as an Adult (voice)
• R.D. Robb – Schwartz
• Zack Ward – Scut Farkus
• Yano Anaya – Grover Dill
• Jeff Gillen – Santa Claus