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A Christmas Story

A Christmas Story celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2008.

But no matter how long it's been running, this Christmas classic continues to bring a touch of reality that kids know well, mixed with nostalgia for the older folks.

Sitting in front of the TV, every Christmas we watch as the young Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) scheme and dream his way to his impossible Christmas wish...

"I want an official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200 shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time!"

Every time a grownup responded... "You'll shoot your eye out kid," it just made Ralphie even more determined, and more creative.

The beauty of this movie is that everyone can remember that one impossible present that we just knew we had to have. Ralphie is a young boy living in America, but no matter what your age or gender... or what continent you call home, the mix of hope and disappointment will be familiar.

The movie is funny, with a bite. Standout scenes include: those hounds stealing the holiday turkey; Christmas duck being eaten to the strains of "Fa-ra-ra-ra-ra," from waiters at the Chinese take-out; Ralphie standing up to the class bully; the desperation visit to Santa; the prize 'leg' lamp won by Dad (Darren McGavin)...

The movie is poignant. The story is told from the innocent-bordering-on-adolescence viewpoint of Ralphie. Personal interactions that we have all experienced are replayed through the eyes of the boy as he tries to make sense of the adult world he is about to enter.

Grumpy dad, reading the newspaper and turning the air blue with language that Ralphie is not supposed to hear as he struggles with the furnace that never seems to work right. This is the same man who understands that a young boy shouldn't have to wear a pink bunny outfit or go without a Red Ryder, even if it might shoot his eye out!

A Christmas Story became a classic soon after it was released in 1983. Sinced then, fans have been clamoring for the DVD and Warner Brothers finally took pity and released a 20th Anniversary DVD edition several years ago.

If you haven't seen it, get it. If you are one of the devoted fans, you'll appreciate the two-disc, special edition, remastered DVD loaded with bonus features including documentaries, commentaries, featurettes and more.

• Another Christmas Story, a making-of documentary narrated by Peter Billingsley that shows how the story got from page to screen;
• Feature-length commentary with cast members and director Bob Clark;
• A History of The Daisy Red Ryder: A look at the nostalgic air rifle, its origin and why it's still popular today;
• Get a Leg Up: A Shining Light of Freedom: A humorous peek at the making of that leg lamp;
• Triple Dog Dare interactive trivia;
• Decoder match challenge;
• Jean Shepherd Radio Program: The beloved author and narrator of A Christmas Story reads the holiday stories from his In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash that served as the basis for the movie.

It may not be a Daisy Red Ryder, but I wouldn't mind finding this slick DVD edition in my stocking.

More about "A Christmas Story" around the Web:

The Movie Sounds Page: A Christmas Story Audio Clips

A Christmas Story Movie Review

A Christmas Story House - Tour the Cleveland house where the classic movie was filmed.

also see in Christmas -> Christmas in Ohio

Christmas TV Schedule