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"A Christmas Story" 1983 Movie
![official logo for "A Christmas Story" [1983]](images/AChristmasStory-logo.jpg "official logo for \"A Christmas Story\" [1983]"){kind=logo} | ![still photo of Ralphie and Santa from "A Christmas Story" [1983]](images/AChristmasStory-Ralphie&Santa.jpg "still photo of Ralphie and Santa from \"A Christmas Story\" [1983]") |
Synopses
  | Set in northern Indiana in 1940; young Ralphie wants only one thing for Christmas, an official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model BB rifle with a compass in the stock. His attempts to convince the world of the rightness of his quest run into opposition from his parents, his teacher, and even Santa Claus himself. Co-produced, co-written & directed by Bob Clark; co-written by Leigh Brown & Jean Shepherd, based on stories by Jean Shepherd; starring Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, R.D. Robb, Tedde Moore, Yano Anaya & Zack Ward, narrated by Jean Shepherd; won Genie Awards for Best Director & Best Script Adaptation, nominated for 7 others including Best Picture; W.G.A. nom for Best Adapted Script Warner Home Video widescreen color Blu-ray [11/2008] for $15.99 Warner Home Video Collectors Edition widescreen color DVD [11/2008] 2 disks for $30.99 Warner Special Edition widescreen color DVD [11/2008] 2 disks for $23.99 Warner Special Edition widescreen color DVD [10/2003] 2 disks out of prodn/many used Warner Home Video color VHS [9/2000] out of prodn/many used full credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia |
 | "A Christmas Story: The {Stories} That Inspired The Hilarious Classic Film" [2003] by Jean Shepherd [1921-99]
These five tales originally appeared in Playboy Magazine in 1964, 1965 & 1966 and in the collections "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash" [1966] and "Wanda Hickey’s Night of Golden Memories" [1971] Kindle Edition from Random House Digital [10/2010] for $9.99 Broadway Books 7¾x5¼ hardcover [10/2003] out of print/100+ used | |
 | "A Christmas Story: Behind The Scenes of A Holiday Classic" [2013] by Caseen Gaines, Forewords by Wil Wheaton & Eugene B. Bergmann Kindle Edition from E.C.W. Press [10/2013] for $14.99 E.C.W. Press 10x8 hardcover [10/2013] for $20.98 |
 | "A Christmas Story: The Party Game" [2014] from N.E.C.A. [est. 1996]
For 2 to 4 players ages 14 & up; box contains board, 4 mini-figures, trivia cards N.E.C.A. board game in 12½x14½x2-inch box [2014] for $23.19 | |
 | "A Christmas Story: Trivia Quiz Book" [2020] by Patrick Phillips
'130 questions sure to riddle even the most die hard fan!' 27-page Kindle Edition from self-publd [8/2020] for $3.95 27-page self-publd 9x6 pb [8/2020] for $7.99 | |
 | "A Christmas Story Trivia" [2020] by Ulisha Thompson synopsis of the 1983 movie and 100+ questions & answers 63-page Kindle Edition from self-publd [12/2020] for $2.99 62-page self-publd 9x6 pb [12/2020] for $6.99 |
The Sequels
"My Summer Story" [M.G.M. Sept 1994]
 | Released as "It Runs In The Family"; Ralphie is on a quest for the perfect spinning top to beat the school bully, The Old Man is feuding with hillbilly neighbors and their hounds, and Mother is determined to win all the pieces of a glass china set at a local movie theater • Co-written & directed by Bob Clark; co-written by Leigh Brown & Jean Shepherd, based on stories by Jean Shepherd; starring Kieran Culkin, Charles Grodin, Mary Steenburgen, Christian Culkin
M.G.M. Video widescreen color DVD [8/2006] for $15.99 M.G.M. Video color VHS [4/97] out of prodn/used full credits at IMDb |
"A Christmas Story 2" video release [Warner Bros. Oct 2012]
 | Filmed in several towns in British Columbia, Canada includingVancouver; circa 1945 teenager Ralph wants a car and he dreams of a date with the prettiest girl in school; The Old Man won't pay 40¢ a pound for turkey, so he schemes to capture a fish for Christmas dinner; and little Randy is into space alien movies • Co-produced & directed by Brian Levant; adaptation & narration by Nat Mauldin; starring Braeden Lemasters, Daniel Stern, Stacey Travis, Valin Shinyei, Tiera Skovbye, David Buehrle, David W. Thompson & Garry Chalk
Warner Home Video widescreen color Blu-ray/DVD combo pack [10/2012] 2 disks for $19.96 Warner Home Video widescreen color DVD [10/2012] for $4.99 full credits at IMDb • official movie site • movie entry at Wikipedia watch official trailer [1:55] at YouTube |
"A Christmas Story Christmas: Ralphie Comes Home"
legacy sequel [Warner Bros./HBOmax Nov 2022]
 | 33 years after the first movie, Ralphie has a family and lives in Chicago, while trying to become a professional writer; upon news that The Old Man has died, he takes his family back to his childhood home and is given the daunting task of creating a magical Christmas for the Parker family . . . • Producers included Peter Billingsley, Nick Schenk, Adrian Shepherd, Randall Shepherd, Vince Vaughn; directed by Clay Kaytis; screen story by Peter Billingsley & Nick Schenk, based on stories by Jean Shepherd; narrated by Joseph Al Ahmad; starring Peter Billingsley {as adult Ralphie Parker}, Erinn Hayes, River Drosche, Julianna Layne, Julie Hagerty, Scott Schwartz, R.D. Robb, Ian Porter, Sam Parks, Davis Murphy, Zack Ward, Ian Petrella, Benjamin Noble, Julie Yammanee, Rosa O'Reilly, Michael Flemming, Derek Morse, Henry Miller, Krassimir Manov, Ludmil Kehayov, Racho Makaveev, Marina Terziyska, Chris Jarman, Cailean Galloway, Alistair Galloway, Billy Brayshaw, Tegan Grace Muggeridge, Yano Anaya, Sava Tomov, Constantine Tomov, Nicholas Colicos, Norman Murray, Nathan Cooper, Mark Arnold, Lyubomir Neikov, David Gillespie, J.R. Esposito, Lauren Mora, Mariana Stansheva, Murphy Daniel Roys, Jackson Bartkowski, Nik Shriner, Ben Diskin, Owen Davis, Nicole Gulimanova; NOTE The many Slavic names in the credits are because interior filming took place in Sofia, Bulgaria
full credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia DVD/Blu-ray not yet available • Amazon Instant Video [2022] purchase $19.99 |
Stageplays & Other Media
"A Christmas Story: The Musical" [2010]
 |
World premiere in Seattle in 2010 with Clarke Hallum {as Ralphie}, narrator Tom Wopat, Broadway vets Liz Callaway & John Bolton; Broadway run Nov-Dec 2012 with Johnny Rabe & Joe West {as Ralphie}, John Bolton, Erin Dilly & Caroline O'Connor, narration by Dan Lauria • Book by Joseph Robinette; music & lyrics by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul
Masterworks Seattle cast recording audio CD [10/2012] 18 tracks for $12.99 Masterworks Seattle cast recording MP3 album [10/2012] 18 tracks for $10.99 full credits at IBDb • official Broadway show site |
Other Xmas-themed Movies & Television
Hallmark Media has produced over 40 Xmas-themed movies per the Deck The Hallmark fansite.
"Countdown to Christmas [HC 2010–present] - 20+ films, showing in October, November, and December
"Miracles of Christmas" [HMM 2013–present] - 15+ films, showing in October, November, and December
formerly known as "The Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas" and "The Most Wonderful Miracles of Christmas"
the first "Hallmark Channel Christmas Con New Jersey" convention [Nov 2019] was held in Edison, NJ - featuring appearances by Hallmark Channel talent
"Hallmark Channel Christmas Con New Jersey" convention [Dec 2022 = #3] in Edison, NJ
"Hallmark Channel Christmas Con New Jersey" convention [Dec 2023 = #4] in Edison, NJ - with headliner Chevy Chase
"Midwest Christmas Con" convention [June 2023 = #1] was held in Overland Park (Kansas City area), Kansas
"Deck The Hallmark" fansite [est. 2018], 135 Edinburgh Court in Greenville, SC
podcast credits at IMDb {950+ episodes listed}
"Deck The Hallmark" YouTube Channel
 | "I'll Be Home For Christmas Movies: The Deck The Hallmark Podcast’s Guide To Your Holiday TV Obsession" [2021] by Brandon Gray, Daniel Thompson, Daniel 'Panda' Pandolph, with Alonso Duralde; Foreword by Kristoffer Polaha
the three podcast hosts discuss warm Christmas feelings and absolutely bonkers plot twists with equal enthusiasm; original interviews with the movies' stars and creators; ideas for hosting your own holiday movie-watching party, complete with delicious recipes; dozens of full-color photos throughout Kindle Edition from Running Press Adult [10/2021] for $12.99 Running Press Adult 9x7 pb [10/2021] for $14.76 |
"Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday" TV movie [Dec 2021] /tt6540706/
A widow attempts to reopen her late-uncle's old dilapidated small town movie theater for one last Christmas screening.
Director: Sean McNamara | Stars: Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Mark Deklin, Susan Yeagley, Kevin Nealon
"Sister Swap: Christmas in the City" TV movie [Dec 2021] /tt6540724/
Director: Sean McNamara | Stars: Ashley Williams, Kevin Nealon, Keith D. Robinson, Kimberly Williams-Paisley
author Jean Shepherd [1921-99]
"He really formed my entire comedic sensibility – I learned how to do comedy from Jean Shepherd." – Jerry Seinfeld
browse books •
JC's Jean Shepherd fansite •
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
Hammond, Indiana's Jean Shepherd 2008 tribute video [12:30] on YouTube
"Excelsior, You Fathead! The Art and Enigma of Jean Shepherd" [2005] by Eugene B. Bergmann
Jean Shepherd's radio shows from the 50s, 60s & 70s at archive.org
"I, Libertine" [1956 novel] as 'Frederick R. Ewing', co-written with Theodore Sturgeon
"The Night People vs Creeping Meatballism" from Mad Magazine issue #32 (March-April 1957)
"The America of George Ade" [1960] edited and introduced by Jean Shepherd
"In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash" [storoes 1966]
"Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories - and Other Disasters" [1971]
"Jean Shepherd's America" half-hour TV series [1971 & 1985] /tt0159846/
"The Ferrari In The Bedroom" [1972]
"The Phantom of The Open Hearth" TV movie) [1976] /tt0202527/
"The Phantom of The Open Hearth" [stories 1978]
"A Fistful of Fig Newtons" [1981]
"Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss" TV movie [1988] /tt0098023/
"A Christmas Story" posthumous collection [2003] {see above}
Other Principals
director Bob Clark [1939-2007]
credits at IMDb •
entry at Wikipedia
 | "ClarkWorld: The Story of A Storyteller" documentary [2009] Filmmaker Abram worked for ten years with Bob Clark, until Clark was killed by a drunk driver; 72-minute documentary features cast & crew of Clark's "Porky's" movies and "A Christmas Story" • Co-produced, written & directed by Deren Abram Passion River widescreen color DVD [11/2009] out of prodn/used movie credits at IMDb • official movie site |
Ralphie
Peter Billingsley, in "ACS 1"
Kieran Culkin, in "MSS"
Braeden Lemasters, as teen in "ACS 2"
Johnny Rabe & Joe West, on Broadway
Mom
Melinda Dillon, in "ACS 1"
Mary Steenburgen, in "MSS"
Stacey Travis, in "ACS 2"
Erin Dilly, on Broadway
The Old Man
Darren McGavin, in "ACS 1"
Charles Grodin, in "MSS"
Daniel Stern, in "ACS 2"
John Bolton, on Broadway
Randy
Ian Petrella, in "ACS 1"
Christian Culkin, in "MSS"
Valin Shinyei, in "ACS 2"
Zac Ballard, on Broadway
Merchandise
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"A Christmas Story Full-Size 45-inch Leg Lamp" from A Christmas Story House 45-inch tall leg lamp, with 3-way switch [2010] for $149.99 |
 |
"A Christmas Story 26-inch Desktop Leg Lamp" from A Christmas Story House 26-inch desktop leg lamp, with 3-way switch [2010] for $79.99 "A Christmas Story 20-inch Desktop Leg Lamp" from NECA
|
 | "A Christmas Story Collector's Edition Monopoly" Board Game [2008]
multi-player board game age 8 & up [2008] out of prodn/scarce more branded Monopoly™ games at Spirit of America Bookstore's Monopoly™ Game Page |
 |
"A Christmas Story: The Party Game" Board Game [2011]
board game for 2-4 players age 14 & up [2011] for $28.44 |
  |
"Official 125th Anniversary Daisy Red Ryder Range Model Air Rifle BB Gun" from A Christmas Story House
650-shot lever action BB gun in retro box [2012] for $69.99 Daisy Outdoor Products Red Ryder 35.4-inch BB Gun 650-shot lever action BB gun [2000?] for $24.99 {sic} Daisy Outdoor Products BB-gun Ammo 2500-count zinc-plated BBs for $4.47 6000-count zinc-plated BBs for $13.79 |
Red Ryder 1000-shot Carbine 12½"x16" tin sign no longer available from Amazon |
Red Ryder It's a Daisy™ 12½"x16½" tin sign no longer available from Amazon |
Christmas Tree Shops discount retail chain [1970-2023]
Acquired by Bed Bath & Beyond in 2003; sold to Handil Holdings in 2020; filed bankruptcy 2023; announced closing all 70 stores 7/2023.
official website •
entry at Wikipedia
L i n k s
"A Christmas Story" official movie site
"A Christmas Story" film credits at Internet Movie Database
"A Christmas Story" film entry at Wikipedia
'A Christmas Story House' Museum & Gift Shop in Cleveland, Ohio
JC's Jean Shepherd fansite
here on the "A Christmas Story" 1983 Movie Page at Magic Lantern Video & Book Store
top of page • synopses & history • the movie • the sequels • stageplays, other media • other Xmas movies & TV •
author Jean Shepherd • other principals • merchandise • links
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