Best Christmas Movie of All Time!

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It's 1940, and the Christmas season is drawing near. Nine year old Ralphie Parker's dilemma: How to convince his parents to give him the object of his desire for Christmas? After seeing the Red Ryder Carbine-action, 200 shot, range model air rifle in a Christmas window display, Ralphie can think of little else. It's the only thing he wants, but he knows he'll be facing some stiff opposition, especially from his mother.

Narrated by the adult Ralphie, the tale of Ralphie's quest is told with wry humor and a rare recall of what being a kid is all about. This peek at life in the early 1940s is humorously and lovingly portrayed. The nostalgia makes us feel good. Yes, things have changed since those days, but some things stay the same--family dynamics, bullies, schooltime pranks, kids hoping against hope for that one magical Christmas gift; benignly grouchy dads...These are all aspects that we can relate to today.

Ralphie first tries dropping subtle hints to his mom about the BB gun. When this seems to have no effect, he just blurts out what he wants. Then he hears those dreaded words--"No!You'll shoot your eye out!"

Having struck out with his mother, Ralphie resorts to more desperate methods--and sees a golden opportunity when his class assignment is to write a theme on "What I Want For Christmas". He'll write the best theme his teacher has ever seen, the theme she's waited for all her life--and the "A+" it will surely get will convince his parents he should have the BB gun. He fantasizes that Miss Shields will be overcome with joy when she reads his essay on the Red Ryder carbine-action 200 shot range model air rifle. He fantasizes about saving his family from the evil Black Bart with his trusty new BB gun--Ralphie fantasizes a lot--but his fantasy comes crashing down when his essay not only doesn't get an A+, but also comes back with the red-penciled comment: "You'll shoot your eye out!"

Meanwhile, Ralphie faces the usual array of childhood problems--being terrorized by the neighborhood bully, enduring the antics of an annoying little brother, an often curmudgeonly father (always referred to as "the old man") and well-meaning mother with a penchant for washing Ralphie's mouth out with soap. These things and more are remembered with a gentle touch of irony by the adult Ralphie, who really has a way with words.

As Christmas draws ever closer, Ralphie decides, though he's no longer much of a believer, to ask Santa for the BB gun ( "Let's face it, most of us are scoffers. But moments before zero hour, it did not pay to take chances.") After an interminable wait in line, Ralphie is plopped onto the lap of a none-too-pleasant Santa. The ensuing scene is one of the movie's best moments.

Some of the funniest scenes spring from Ralphie's fantasies (the "soap poisoning" scene is priceless!), but they're equaled by the "real" events and the narration. The old man's legendary swearing, ("He worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay. It was his medium. A master" and "In the heat of battle my father wove a tapestry of obscenities that as far as we know is still hanging in space over Lake Michigan." )

Secondary stories are woven into the main plot--the old man's "Major Award": a tacky lamp in the shape of a woman's leg; the classic moment when Ralphie accidentally utters the F-word ("Oooh Fuuuudge" is used in the movie); the moment Ralphie snaps and beats up the bully, and more mishaps involving Flick and Schwartz.

Without giving it away, the ending is about as good as a Christmas movie gets, first hilarious, and finally sentimental. You don't watch A Christmas Story--you experience it, because you've lived these moments or some very much like them yourself. And that, I think, is what makes this The Best Christmas Movie Of All Time!

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Everyone in my family--even in my extended family, loves A Christmas Story. We always watch it during our main Christmas get-together--no matter who hosts it in any given year. We all have it on DVD. Then there's the TBS Christmas Story marathon, when A Christmas Story is shown continuously for 24 hours, starting on Christmas Eve. We have that on, too. The older generation loves it--the younger generation loves it, the grandchildren love it! Parental warning: There is some cursing in this movie, but for the most part, any major swearing is done in unintelligible nonsense words.

The movie almost takes on the persona of a Rocky Horror Picture Show screening when we all watch it--everyone shouts out favorite lines in scenes we love, and there are many such occasions during this movie! We don't bring props, or dress in costume, but since it's Christmas and we have a good supply of it on hand, the famous "Oooh Fuuudge!" scene will usually inspire everyone to brandish a piece of fudge and yell "Oh Fudge" when the moment comes! Other interactive moments (usually involving the kids of the group) occur during the "Be a good boy Randy. Show mommy how the piggies eat" scene, and Ralphie's family( except for dad) singing "Jingle Bells" in the car--the inexplicable Razzberry at the end invites participation! And of course, everyone joins in the fun when the Chinese waiters gather at the table and sing "Deck the harrs with bough of horry. Fa-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra!"

Besides the fudge, we're usually munching on all manner of Christmas delicacies during the annual screening--it's Christmas, diets are suspended! We don't have a special tie-in of food with the movie because other than fudge, the only foods mentioned are meatloaf, red cabbage and the Peking duck--hardly conducive to holiday snacking! But wait--Ralphie's parents are drinking wine on Christmas. Maybe we could initiate a new interaction this year....

A Christmas Story
(Full-Screen Edition)

If you've never seen "A Christmas Story", you'll want this DVD! If you watch it every year, you owe it to yourself to have your own personal copy! This iconic Christmas movie is beloved by millions. It's funny, heartwarming, and has characters and scenes that will become part of your family's traditions!

A Christmas Story Full Size 45" Leg Lamp

Here it is! The leg lamp! Own your own faithful replica of this iconic lamp, complete with real fishnet stocking. This is the real deal--a full 45 inches high--just the thing to fill your picture window, and sure to be the envy of your neighbors.

A Christmas Story 26" Desktop Leg Lamp

OK, you're proud of your Major Award, but maybe you'd rather just savor the glory more privately instead of putting it on display in the picture window. Now you can get the infamous Leg Lamp in a desktop size. This one is 26 inches high, faithfully copied from the lamp in the film.

Child's Christmas Story Rabbit Halloween Costume
(Md)

Now your kids can have their very own pink bunny pajamas as seen in the movie A Christmas Story! Also makes a great Halloween costume. Just like Aunt Clara's, these jammies even feature the same bunnies, staring sappily up at you!

A Christmas Story Bunny Suit

I triple dog dare ya to wear these to your next Halloween party--or how about livening up the office Christmas party? Just like Aunt Clara's, complete with bunny slippers (staring sappily up at you!)

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