Unlike most Christmas movies, which have come and gone for the past 30 years, “A Christmas Story” remains a staple for most families during the Christmas season. In fact, the only other movie that can match its timeless appeal would have to be “It’s A Wonderful Life.” And even that movie doesn’t get the 24-hour non-stop annual marathon screenings on cable stations that “A Christmas Story” enjoys.
Popularity may have to do with their deep nostalgia that appeals to all ages. This is something that no other Christmas movie can claim. And although the movie is set in the 1940s, many people – young and old – see it as a reflection of their own memories of what Christmas was like for them. This universal appeal is at the heart of this film’s success.
Based on the stories from the books “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash” and “Wanda Hickey’s Night of Golden Memories” by comedian Jean Sheppard, the main plot of the film revolves around a 9-year-old boy named Ralph ” Ralphie “Parker. , living in a city in Indiana. Played to brilliant perfection by Peter Billingsley, Ralphie badly wants an official Red Ryder carbine action 200-shot BB pistol model with a compass on his sock for Christmas.
However, Ralphie gets frustrated at every turn; first by his mother, than by his teacher and then even by Santa Claus himself. They all say, “No, you will shoot yourself in the eye.” Through all his efforts – from writing an essay, to subtle suggestions for his parents, to pleading with dear Saint Nick, it would seem that Ralphie was destined not to receive what he most desperately desires. But all is not lost, Ralphie’s attempts are finally successful and his father comes to the rescue.
The other people in Ralphie’s life are his little brother Randy, who doesn’t eat and whines, who likes to hide in closets when things get scary. His friends Flick and Schwatz, who have an epic showdown with each other in the schoolyard, this truly hilarious incident ends in a “triple dog challenge” and the arrival of firefighters to take Flick’s tongue off a flagpole. . To add to his problems, Ralphie has to fend off a bully, Scut Farfus, seemingly every school day.
The film is made up of short vignettes that can stand alone; whether it’s Ralphie’s slip of the dreaded F-word, “Old Man’s” battles with the oven, going to the Christmas tree lot, and of course Ralphie’s daydreams. They all join in to tell a moving and humorous story that brings back memories of their own childhood. Forcing everyone to say at some point in the movie: “That happened to me.”
The entire cast is near perfect. Featuring Darren McGavin as The Old Man, Ralphie’s dad, and Melinda Dillon as Mrs. Parker, Ralphie’s mom. Although he has great affection for his family, Ralphie’s dad doesn’t always show it. Most of the affection is distributed by the mother, who more than compensates for the sometimes distracted father. We soon realize that Ralphie’s dad is really just a big boy; is overjoyed at winning a major award that can’t wait to see what it is, like an excited child dying to see what’s under the Christmas tree on Christmas Day. In this case, the prize is a tacky leg lamp with silk stockings.
This is just one of the pleasant surprises in this fun heartwarming movie that is sure to make the viewer smile again and again. Even the most Scrooge-like among us will find it hard not to be moved by the endearing story of Ralphie and his search for a Red Ryder BB pistol. This is a movie that gets better and better with every viewing. It is definitely worthy of claiming the title of “The Greatest Christmas Story Ever Told”.
A Christmas Story (Ultimate Collector’s Edition) is now released on Blu-ray Disc, marking the 25th anniversary of its original release. It’s not just a Christmas classic that everyone should see, but a great movie that will make you laugh and reminisce about a simpler time when you were a kid. I highly recommend that this movie be a part of everyone’s movie collection.
Video: The VC-1, 1080p encoded 1.85: 1
Audio: Dolby Digital
Additional features:
– audio commentary with star Peter Billingsley and director Bob Clark
– Five-minute look at Ralphie’s current greed, “A Daisy Red Ryder Story”
– an article titled “Another Christmas Story”
– 4 minute video called “Get a Leg Up”
– Script pages
– a trailer
– Leg Lamp fake ad
