Deliciously warped and winsome boyhood memories of Christmas are told by a typical American man revisiting his native Indiana during the 1940s. Among other childish pursuits, his overriding obsession to finally own a genuine Red Ryder BB gun consumes his feverish imagination. Based on Jean Shepherd's novel, "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash."
Humorist Jean Shepard's vignette-laden, nostalgic view of Christmastime in Indiana during the 1940s.
The main story involves nine-year-old Ralphie, who desperately wants a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas -- and is waging an all-out campaign to convince his reluctant parents that the toy will be safe in his hands. Meanwhile, Ralphie prepares for the big day with his rather idiosyncratic family. For example, his brother has a strange relationship with food, and his dad is obsessed with a crossword puzzle contest. But the most important question of all is...when Christmas Day arrives, will Ralphie be the proud (and careful) owner of a Red Ryder BB Gun?
Color by Medallion.
Additional cast: Ian Petrella (Randy), R.D. Robb (Schwartz), and Tedde Moore (Miss Shields).
Blu-ray Features:
Widescreen - 1.78
Audiio:
Mono 1.0 French
Mono 1.0 English
Director of Photography
Reginald Morris:
Production Designer
Reuben Freed:
Story
Jean Shepherd:
Costume Designer
Mary E. McLeod: Costume Designer, RESIDENT EVIL: APOCALYPSE (2004)
Review 1:
"...A version of Christmas as it exists only in the imagination....Shepherd has always been best at evoking the texture of life as it used to be in his midwest childhood..."
Source: Variety
11/16/1983
Review 2:
"...There are many small but perfect moment in A CHRISTMAS STORY....There is a real knowledge of human nature beneath the comedy..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.3 12/24/2000
Review 3:
"...Think of it as IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE for post-Reagan generations as it morphs from cult to classic 20 years down the road..."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.107 10/10/2003
Review 4:
"...[A] modern-classic telling of Jean Shepard's '40s-based Midwest yarn..."
Source: USA Today
p.6E 10/10/2003