A Christmas Story - Nostalgia Critic

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It's been overplayed, overhyped, overexposed, over everything! With all that said, is it still a good movie after 40 years? Nostalgia Critic takes a look at A Christmas Story.
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A Christmas Story is a 1983 Christmas comedy film directed by Bob Clark and based on Jean Shepherd's semi-fictional anecdotes in his 1966 book In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, with some elements from his 1971 book Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories and Other Disasters. It stars Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, and Peter Billingsley, and follows a young boy and his family's misadventures during Christmastime in the 1940s. It is the third installment in the Parker Family Saga.
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[@ChannelAwesome]

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[@dantheman5582]

Merry Christmas!!! 🎅 Here's an idea for FanScription: What if... Godzilla vs. Kong was a 90s movie? (Taking place in the Heisei series, instead of the MonsterVerse.)

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Merry Christmas guys! You're all the Best! Hearth please ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@kenyajohnson9456]

Merry Christmas 😊😊😊

[@nataliehughes1020]

Cheers! Favorite Christmas movies ever?

[@havdroid9769]

Pretty please, it is the DAY 86 WAITING FOR THE ,,G-FORCE" MOVIE REVIEW BY THE ,,NOSTALGIA CRITIC" !!

[@johnnysparkle]

The Santa Claus scene was filmed over the course of several nights and the child extras kept messing up takes. Patty Johnson and Drew Hocevar, who played the elves, were both Cleveland locals who were moonlighting after their day jobs as schoolteachers. Johnson was so sleep-deprived she was dozing off between takes. As a result, the irritated frustration of Santa and the elves in that scene is very genuine.

[@justanotherchannelonyoutub126]

I guess that’s…. “Clause” and effect

[@wiilov]

​@@justanotherchannelonyoutub126Take my like. You clever bastard...

[@KeybladeMasterAndy]

​@@justanotherchannelonyoutub126.....sorry. my drumset was in the garage. Ahem. *badum-tiss*

[@jareththegoblinking3191]

@justanotherchannelonyoutub126 YEEEEEAAAAAAA

[@unvoicedapollo3318]

You forgot the 😎​@@jareththegoblinking3191

[@trinaq]

Having Jean Shepard, the actual author, narrate the film, was a fantastic choice. Since he'd experienced the exact events firsthand, you could really get a sense of what was happening.

[@nocheckmarkgames]

When he breaks the fourth wall talking about the Soap.

[@nehemiahpouncey3607]

It also inspired wonder years. The narrator part.

[@channelstuffilike8718]

He for years said it wasn’t inspired by his childhood but I don’t believe that at all

[@JamieBumpus]

Well… the movie does a marvelous job of capturing Christmas (and life in general) from a kid’s-eye view. However, the authenticity pretty much ends there. For example, when growing up, Shepherd did indeed have neighbors named Bumpus, but it’s well attested that they were good folks - nothing like the scurrilous hillbillies spawned by Shepherd’s imagination. It’s also well attested, by the way, that Shepherd, his folksy manner notwithstanding, was a mean-spirited guy. (Full disclosure: The real-life Bumpuses are distant relatives of mine; I didn’t know them, but I’ve made contact with some of their progeny.)

[@kdusel1991]

He's also the voice of the father on carousel of progress

[@kheph777]

Ralphie's mom didn't give him a spare set of glasses, because they weren't destroyed in the fight. Watch the bully scene again: his little brother picks up the glasses after they were tossed aside. In fact, that was another of those wonderful little unspoken moments in this film: I grew up with glasses, and I know what it's like to have your little brother rescue your glasses because, no matter how much the two of you might fight, he knows how important protecting those glasses are. :)

[@uselessness7]

Came here to say this. Also the bb didn’t break his glasses, him stepping on them did.

[@SaviorGabriel]

I also like how after that scene, Randy is genuinely worried about Ralphie getting into trouble. He's as upset as Ralphie is over the whole situation even though you don't really see the two being all that close. Makes me realize how well done their relationship was for the movie.

[@doctorfeinstone6524]

Unrelated, but I also liked how despite this being made in 83, randy literally sounds like one of those kids from a 50's movie. The whining and tone of his voice. It sounds straight out of a 50's kid movie

[@0okamino]

Yeah, he dropped them in the snow, which wouldn’t break them, when he charged to tackle Scut.

[@coolbrickz657]

Well Hats off to your brother.

[@alexanderklepp]

13:48 I've always loved that crestfallen face Ralphie gives after Santa says "You'll shoot your eye out, kid." Hearing it from his mother and his teacher was bad enough, but hearing it from Santa himself has got to hurt.

[@lenindominguez1986]

of course and jesus christ. hearing them ' you'll shoot your eye out' is incredibly funny

[@king_supreme1102]

Ralphie has tons of perfect reactions in this movie.

[@lenindominguez1986]

@@king_supreme1102 indeed he has and his reactions are really funny

[@SukiNoKoe]

I also like how the music drops the same time his jaw drops xD

[@lenindominguez1986]

@@SukiNoKoe i know and I was thinking when the music drops, Jaws Starts Coming To Attack & Eat People From The Ocean

[@caosisaac]

Watch both parents during the red rider opening scene. The mother is phenominal too. The quick look at her husband showing she wasn't informed, the absolute look of worry she has for ralphy, but then melting into smiles despite her concern because just look how happy her boy is. My favorite scene of the movie. Both parents were absolutely pitch perfect and conveyed so many things in just a few seconds.

[@Nightman221k]

They really were. I love how they convey all that in a way that it seemed so real to life.

[@jessicabushore5683]

I think this is a scene you come to appreciate more once you are yourself an adult watching the movie rather than a child. It’s very sweet.

[@DanGamingFan2406]

I've literally seen this movie a hundred times and I still cry when the dad tells Ralphie about that last present behind the desk and relives his childhood watching him open it. I love how happy he is.

[@watershipup7101]

Same.

[@repairshop22]

You paid ten dollars to voice your opinion?

[@NeoNero83]

As a father of a now-18 year old, that scene inspired my "last present" moments for him that make my entire year

[@WraythSkitzofrenik]

The BEST

[@SpeedyBlur2000]

@@repairshop22 Does it matter?

[@johnnysparkle]

When they filmed the scene in the Chinese restaurant, Melinda Dillon was purposely given the wrong script, and everyone was in on it. She had no idea that the duck would still have its head and the first time she saw it was when they were filming. Her reactions during the entire sequence were not scripted, which is what director Bob Clark was going for.

[@vwing]

Adding onto this with something I only noticed when watching the movie a few days ago. Right after she screams upon seeing that the duck still had its head, she chuckles a bit and, if you really pay attention, you can hear her say, "Sorry."

[@larrylaffer3246]

It's also based on memory from assistant director Ken Goch. Essentially when he was young his mother had mistaken a bowling alley open late one night with partly a burnt out W for a Chinese Restaurant and decided to stop off for something to eat. Well luckily for her the bowling alley did have a kitchen so she was able to get something to eat.

[@MmeCShadow]

As an adult I really appreciate the job Mall Santa is doing. He's been there for hours, the store is minutes from closing but they're going to have to stay late to finish out the still-overflowing line, he's trying to shove them through the line and he's exchanging sarcastic frustration with the elves, you can see the sleep deprivation and desperation in his eyes, but by *god* he's still trying to be a decent Santa.

[@averymerrick]

Ralphie’s parents seem too old for a working class family during the Great Depression, Darren McGavin was 61 and Melinda Dillon was 44. However, the movie is based on *Ralphie’s memories* and when we’re young our parents seem really old. So it’s likely his parents were actually in their 30s but just seemed really old to Ralphie.

[@samuelbarber6177]

To be fair, have you seen pictures of people from this time period? People like so much younger these days, it’s insane.

[@daytonapeanut]

I just like to think Mr. and Mrs. Parker just got a later start on having kids

[@SukiNoKoe]

@@samuelbarber6177 I agree and I think it's because of less smoking, less tanning and better skin care products these days lol

[@sliat1981]

Look at Archie’s parents in the comics. The the series all the mothers are hot MILFS

[@doctorfeinstone6524]

​@samuelbarber6177 what's ridiculous is how everyone acts like people looking younger now is a horrible thing

[@GenerationX-WingPodcast]

The Dad is the best part of this whole movie. He played that typical Dad of that generation. Not showing too much emotion, being the fearful head, but still easily manipulated or down trodden. He is the one source that was ignored by Ralphie in the search for his gift but the one that made compmete sense because of his own youthful spirit. I loved him!

[@jeremytung1632]

I love that Ralphie didn’t once directly mention the BB gun to his old man, and he was the one to buy it.

[@lainiwakura1776]

There's a good chance he was actually listening when Ralphie said it at the table.

[@snowbird1381]

Ralphie put the magazine on the dad’s bed instead of the moms.

[@JHowesitgoing123]

@@snowbird1381 How do you know that?

[@snowbird1381]

@@JHowesitgoing123 it’s been a common speculation for ages that he got the beds wrong. But the fact is he never really told his dad what he wanted and every time Ralphie said something, Dad wasn’t there. The only other way he would’ve known is if he found the magazine.

[@JHowesitgoing123]

@@snowbird1381 Ok...interesting, I always just assumed it was because the dad heard it at the table when he blurted it out to the mom and she shot it down. At least I'm pretty sure he was...Might need to rewatch the scene.

[@bladearmorginga6582]

Glad the parents got more recognition. One of my favorite scenes was the dad getting a bowling ball dropped on him as generic as it is the "thanks a lot" always gets me. Also like to imagine he went bowling at the chinese restaurant with it.

[@xxkori123xx]

I always tear up when Ralphie opens up the gun at the end because of the dads performance. He reminds me of my step dad who is a cop and a hard ass type and through most of the movie the dad is a little intimidating and scary but in that moment when you see just pure joy on his face, it's really touching. My step dad also does that when us kids open our gifts and like Doug said, it's almost like he's reliving his childhood through us. It's just so sweet.

[@remrad4315]

This is wonderful

[@MasterMario548]

I think most people love this movie because we were all in Ralphies place at one point. There was that one toy we wanted more than anything else even though it looked like the chances of getting it we slim. The days waiting to Christmas took longer when you were a kid so the anticipation just built up more and more. When you did get that present you wanted it made you believe in Christmas. As an adult you're the old man. You love seeing other people open presents you got them especially your own children. When you see them smile it makes you smile. It makes you remember when you were a kid and the magic feeling it had. The magic feeling comes back when you see them happy knowing they get to live the same experience. This movie is everyone childhood and adulthood.

[@Froggievilleus]

Ralphie wasn't worried about his glasses after the fight (and no the glasses were not broken at that time). He was worried about his dad's reaction to him hearing about the fight and the stream of bad language that came out of his mouth during his break.

[@CaptPierce]

The story about a kid getting a gun for Christmas, truly an American classic, all jokes aside this is a good holiday movie

[@lainiwakura1776]

At least it's a BB gun.

[@Edagui97]

​@kingkaza Katana in Japan, bottle of vodka in Russia, bag pipes in Scotland, birch whisk in Finland, Baguette in French.

[@neoasura]

@@Edagui97 You mean Falafel in French.

[@doctorfeinstone6524]

Grenade launcher in Saudi Arabia

[@TheBandit025Nova]

@@Edagui97Actually it’s Claymore in Scotland

[@CONVERSE1991]

Ralphie didn't break his glasses in the fight, he dropped them when he charged at the bully, and the little brother picked them up. He was scared that his dad was going to punish him after hearing he got into a fight.

[@Dan_Finnegan]

Now that the Critic has reviewed the original film, the 2012 sequel and the 2017 live musical, I really do hope he can review 2022’s A Christmas Story Christmas next year. EDIT: I just asked Doug about it in his Q&A live and he said he can consider it if it has a hard copy. I can confirm there is a DVD of the movie that was released back in October of this year.

[@josephdannivitz1167]

Perfect! I'm glad you asked him, then, because I believe that if he adored the original Christmas Story but loathes Christmas Story 2, I'd be interested to hear his thoughts on a Christmas Story Christmas. In my opinion, this movie, though not on par with the first Christmas Story, is nonetheless a more than worthy followup to something like A Christmas Story.

[@Blackcatloner1]

I bought it on Digital and it was actually pretty good.

[@James11111]

​@@Blackcatloner1It's absolutely what A Christmas Story 2 should have been.

[@axelnilsson5124]

Christmas story 2 was released in 2012?

[@James11111]

@@axelnilsson5124 Yeah it deals psychic damage to me, to.

[@koneheadcokehead4981]

There's nothing better than putting this film on during the Holiday Season and watching it with the family or your closest friends

[@deen7530]

I showed my grandma this movie for the first time this year, she loved it :)

[@JacksonLane02]

Classic Christmas film. Although pretty sad that the lead kid grew up to be yelled at by the Big Laboski about Sherlock Homes building a suit in A CAVE WITH A BOX OF SCRAPS. In all seriousness this really is a classic Christmas movie and I feel like the you'll shoot your eye out line has been said during Christmas time by parents a whole lot

[@irishandproud7119]

I just got the reference...

[@koneheadcokehead4981]

Another Fun Fact: The people of Cleveland were incredibly cooperative during filming, donating antique vehicles from every corner of the city. These vintage vehicles helped to enhance the authenticity of the production design. During the filming in downtown Cleveland, the antique automobile club members whose cars were used were given a route to follow on Public Square. They were instructed to continue circling the square until otherwise instructed. Road salt was a major concern for the car owners and the cars were pressure-washed after each day's filming and parked underground beneath the Terminal Tower.

[@lizwestberry1751]

When I watched this for this year I really did watch the dad when Ralphie opens the BB gun. I recognized the performance of the parents. The way the dad laughs with excitement with his son and the wife recognizing the connection that is being formed between the two. That is why I believe Ralphie gets to keep the gun, because she knows that they will bond over this.

[@Razgriz85]

Fun fact: the actor who played Ralphie, also played one of the elves in the Will Ferrell Elf movie. Also fun fact: the one narrating the movie was also the one that wrote the story because he sounded so natural. Another fun fact: they used mashed potatoes to simulate snow during this movie because it was too warm for snow.

[@dylansharp8471]

All the snow in this whole movie was/ mashed potatoes?

[@AYVYN]

@@dylansharp8471Only in America would we have that much spare food haha

[@king_supreme1102]

I was thinking about this movie a lot this holiday season. Super glad to see someone that truly appreciates it. You said it best at the end. This film portrays Christmas as honestly as possible. Especially from a kids perspective. It’s filled with warm, genuine, intimate, and nostalgic moments that I think most of us can relate to. Especially if you’re American, and even more specifically if you lived in a place with snowy winters. The excitement during school time around the upcoming Christmas break. Getting your heart set on a present that you think will change your life. Visiting a mall Santa. Etc. But also many genuine scenes for the parents too. The mom hardly getting a moment to herself. The dad having such genuine joy in the little things he can control. The dad reliving his childhood through Ralphie, as you expertly pointed out. And you explained the moment of the parents watching the snowfall through the window perfectly. It’s a perfect moment. I get almost overwhelmed with emotion just putting myself in their shoes. And it’s done with such a simple visual. So many perfect moment. This will always be the best Christmas film to me. Because I don’t think anything can ever portray it more honestly than this movie.

[@lenindominguez1986]

This is my special Christmas classic film

[@DiegoHernandez-xt2su]

@@lenindominguez1986 "be sure to drink your ovaltine"

[@joyunicycle]

When I finally watched the full movie, I fell in love with how honest this movie was with its audience. Often you'll have movies that are overly sentimental or cynical, but this movie actually does share what kids go through and not just what adults want to think they go through. We need more movies like that.

[@ShowoutBlowout]

I live here in Cleveland where this was mostly filmed and I've seen this at least 100 times. It's a masterpiece. Growing up with this movie, being that I recognized alot of the shots, it always felt like "our" movie, something special that belonged to us as Clevelanders. It's really interesting to see how much popularity it has gained over the years. And now being able to share it with my own kids, it still feels like a part of Christmas we will always call our own.

[@megabladechronicles962]

Something I really like about the father giving Ralphie the toy gun is that he was the only authority figure Ralphie didn't talk about it to. He asked his mom, the mall Santa, and he even wrote an essay about it to his teacher. But with the exception of the scene when he first mentions it to the mother, Ralphie never even mentions wanting the gun around his father. He just knew exactly what Ralphie wanted after overhearing a brief conversation

[@kamdan2011]

As The Old Man told Ralphie, “He (I) knows. He always knows.”

[@koneheadcokehead4981]

I'm glad to see people still watch this film over the Holiday Season and still love and respect what this Movie gave us

[@Seantendo]

16:56 YES! This little moment is one of those great scenes you don’t care about as a kid but as an adult it’s easily one of the best parts. The ending scene in the helicopter from Jurassic Park is a similar scene.

[@darkman060]

Honestly, no matter how much it gets played every year this is still my comfort movie. One of the last movies I was able to watch with my mom and us laughing our asses off whenever the bumpis hounds came on screen

[@ZekeStaright]

9:15 I like how when his mom calls Schwarts' mom & asks where she thinks he heard it from, Schwarts' mom instantly says, "His father?"

[@thefantasticretroreviewer3941]

I also didn't know its been 40 Years right now.

[@zekelinderman3970]

17:37 This hits differently since both of the actors are now deceased. RIP

[@Internatube]

You know how they say "make the video for someone as is if it's their first time seeing it"? That's me. Despite having been aware of Christmas Story for decades, this Nostalgia Critic review is literally my first exposure to the film.

[@chasehedges6775]

One of the best Christmas films ever made. 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄💯

[@BlitzDemonGamer3032]

NOT Really

[@gillianorley]

When I was a kid and this movie came out, my family’s “regular” Chinese restaurant was called “Bo Ling’s”, so it added a laugh to see the restaurant in the movie. But I don’t think the joke was that the restaurant used to be a bowling alley. Notice that the name on the door DOES correctly say “Bo Ling & Sons.” My assumption has always been that the joke behind the neon “Bowling” sign is that they were able to buy an existing (maybe used) neon sign for a bowling alley and simply black out the letter, “W,” for much less money than it would cost to have a custom sign created with the name “Bo Ling.”

[@IsleofJaya]

Ralphie's mom: Mrs. Schwartz do you know that Nostalgia Critic is reviewing "A Christmas Story?" Mrs. Schwartz: WHAT WHAT WHAT!?!

[@austinrenteria]

That scene always cracks me up. I really want to know what it looks like on the other end of the phone.

[@kluvsj2]

My parents love this movie and did this to me as a kid. I wanted a gaming console and they hid it behind the couch and basically reinacted that scene. It was really amazing to see how happy that small thing made them.

[@lucylove1155]

This is one of the most realistic families I’ve ever seen in a film

[@gingergoddess8953]

Fun fact about the goofy kid in Higbees who likes the Tin Man: he wasn't an actor. His grandma worked at the store they were filming at, and when he visited her at work one day, looking and talking exactly like he does in the movie, the directors saw just had to give him something to do in the movie.

[@TraceVandal]

I remember it being a thing to hate on this movie during the 90s because it was on too much, but over the years that seems to have all gone away. The death of cable TV has made people who didn't grow up having it shoved in their face warm up to it in a very organic way. I grew up watching this film and as an adult I like it even more.

[@codalanguez]

The parents at the end, where they cuddle close in silence, letting the tree lights and the snow be the only lighting...it was just perfect. Just that one moment you can see how much they love each other and how comfortable they are together. It's really simple, but really effective and sweet.

[@koneheadcokehead4981]

Fun Fact: For the scene in which Flick's tongue sticks to the flagpole, a hidden suction tube was used to safely create the illusion that his tongue had frozen to the metal.

[@cheneethompson5756]

Thanks for the info! Poor flick, though! Geez!

[@brianstraight9308]

... Yes. Doug says as much in this very video.

[@leephillips4402]

@@brianstraight9308 they obviously wrote that comment before watching and then went through an internal conflict over whether to delete it or not.

[@lenindominguez1986]

thanks for the info

[@Hobie02425]

Thanks for repeating what’s already in the video.

[@Anthony-945]

Fun fact: for the scene with the “ra ra ra” Chinese guys, the director of the movie thought this joke was racist and didn’t want it to be in the movie but the Chinese guys thought it was hilarious so the joke was kept in the movie.

[@Omar-wq9dz]

Interesting how a number of beloved Christmas movies were unsuccessful when they first came out like this, It’s A Wonderful Life, and Miracle On 34th Street. However, it’s good to see they caught on

[@joeypieper6384]

Actually Miracle was very successful

[@samuelbarber6177]

It should be noted that this one was a decent hit. Almost 20 million dollars on a 3 million budget’s no mean feat.

[@kamdan2011]

I think the problem with many Christmas movies is that they’re more cozy when you’re viewing them at home. I got to see this one all by myself at a theater and I didn’t quite feel the same way as I did watching it at home all those years prior.

[@carlintaylor2996]

My dad and mom showed this to my little brother a few weeks ago and heard them laughing their butts off 😂😂

[@Mothman1992]

This movie was always a tradition in my family. This year, spending Christmas with my partners family I asked if they'd be willing to watch it. None of them had ever seen it but fell in love

[@connergoessupersonic]

My dad ADORES this movie. Not only does he just think it’s really funny and charming, but he also sees his grandfather in the dad. Watching this movie is basically what starts the Christmas season for him Unrelated, but one of the extras that crowd at the fence when Ralph is beating the crap out of Scut looks EXACTLY like my brother

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

You guys always come through! This is just what i needed today 😊😊😊😊😊

[@LilMslDev]

Concerning Ralphie's glasses....he didn't lose them during the fight. Randy picked them up. it's implied he gave them to their mom, and that's how she ended up with them to give them back after he "left them by the radio." There never was a spare pair.

[@koneheadcokehead4981]

Really hope the CA get to celebrate the Holiday Season in a nice way because they deserve it

[@Jason-lw7tk]

I adore this movie to no end. I was 10 when it came out and it was the perfect representation of that joy, anxiety, worry, excitement of a kid at Christmas. As an adult it becomes an entirely new experience. There is so much heart and sincerity in A Christmas Story. When Randy is crying under the sink because he's afraid for his brother...tears every time. I still have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact it was made in 1983. It feels so genuine of the era it's set in. The very best Christmas movie and possibly the best Family movie in general of all time.

[@ArmiGirl90]

These r fun! Sleepover (2004) Saving Silverman (2001) Corpse Bride (2005) Little Nicky (2000) The Little Rascals (1994) Mom and Dad Save the World (1992) On the Line (2001) Oz the Great and Powerful (2013) Nothing But Trouble (1991) Aquamarine (2006) Racing Stripes (2005) Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)

[@sydhamelin1265]

Yep, it's great. I also love that it's mostly a bunch of stories that take place around Christmas, as opposed to one large story. It definitely feels very real, and I think most people relate to some (or most) aspects. The humor goes from traditional to pretty absurdly funny.

[@duomaxwell6523]

9:32 The "WHAT? WHAAAAT? WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTT????" shrieking from Schwartz's mom sounded hilariously like a FRIGGIN' SCI-FI LASER DEATH BEAM to me! Also, I can't wait for the Nostalgia Critic to review the TRUE legacy reunion sequel "A Christmas Story Christmas", and have my 500th comment while he's at it!

[@christinalittleton3771]

I remember watching bits and pieces of this movie during middle school and the students HATED the dad for snitching on Ralphie for saying "fudge". In fact, one kid said " Oh, come on! I've heard worse at home when toes were stubbed!"

[@koopaboy6661]

15:42 “WHAT MAKES ME A GOOD DEMOMAN?”

[@SgtRocko]

I LOVE this movie - and I'm Jewish. I think I love it as much as my Christian spouse. It's gentle, charming, funny, spins a tale we can ALL relate to (and I grew up in the USSR)... the characters are lovable and relatable, the humour is genuinely funny. It's wonderful and makes you feel BETTER after having watched it. We live in Cleveland, where they filmed the Higbee's scenes and the house is located here. It's now a Christmas Story museum that's done up exactly how it was in the film (down to the cleaning vintage cleaning products in the kitchen LOL). There are huge lines to visit during the holidays - and year 'round people come to see it. They even have a lottery that allows a couple to spend the night there once a year. We all joke here that the leg lamp is actually Cleveland's flag - I literally don't know a single person here who doesn't have at LEAST one leg lamp item (my Orthodox Rabbi has a shotglass of it LOL). Thank you for such a caring, gentle review Doug. Hope you and all the CA fam had a great holiday AND wish you all the best for the New Year!

[@sliat1981]

Accept Jesus and you will be saved

[@billjacobs521]

@@sliat1981 Geez, he says something nice and you preach at him for it.

[@sliat1981]

@@billjacobs521 nah I’m just teasing. Relax dude

[@king_supreme1102]

I’d like to point out, that I don’t think Ralphie was crying after the fight because his glasses broke. He was worried about that afterwards. But there’s more to it than that. Ralphie’s rage was already boiling before he started wailing on the bully. And all of that adrenaline you get during a fight definitely affects your emotions. If you were ever in a fight when you were younger, you should know this feeling. Even if you aren’t actually sad, all of that adrenaline can really throw your emotions out of wack for a bit.

[@adamball6064]

He never broke his glasses in this part of the movie I don’t know what he was talking about. He only broken them at the end. His mom just gave him the same glasses back, That he lost in the fight.

[@ericaholcomb2033]

His glasses didn't break during the fight, Randy picked them up and gave them to their mom. They broke when Ralph stepped on them after the BB gun incident. I think you are spot on about the adrenaline and emotions.

[@Dusty_B]

Yeah that part of the review has me scratching my head. The way I saw the scene is Ralph was already in a bad place and the bully just pushed him over the edge. He snapped and took out all his frustrations on his long time tormentor. His glasses were fine thanks to Randy. I think the crying was just an emotional overload with maybe a touch of what have I done, and the later worrying was actually about getting in trouble for fighting. Thankfully his mom glossed over the fight with it not being a big deal as “boys will be boys” to the old man and quickly distracted him with football talk.

[@timothymorris157]

Thank you so much Bob Clark for providing us with two holiday classics throughout the season on an annual basis in Black Christmas and A Christmas Story! Admittedly i just bought ACS and added it to my DVD collection regardless of the TBS and TNT movie marathons replaying the hell out of it every year since 1988 and every year after 1997. All of the moments and situations are so relatable and timeless that i often reflect on all of my Christmas pasts with my family and smile because of how much i love the holiday and this movie for what it represents but also what it stands for: family, love, and happiness throughout it’s entirety. I sincerely hope that you all had a happy holiday and have a wonderful New Year!

[@michellecrocker2485]

It’s about time we got around to this. It’s such a crazy, fun movie with so many moments to choose from

[@PixiePrincess501]

One of my favorite scenes is when Ralphie has to keep the bar of soap in his mouth and the narrator talks about how over the years he's become "a connoisseur of soap" and describing the different flavors of the different brands! And yes, I can also remember having the "Pity dreams" whenever I got punished! I think a lot of us can see ourselves in a few of these scenes back when we were kids. Kids can be blunt and selfish, but also innocent and imaginative at the best of times, as a lot of us were once too. The nostalgia and the funny scenes are what keeps me rewatching this movie every year now.

[@bryanegelhoffsanimationtec257]

A perfect movie to wrap up December with!

[@LHenryR]

When I watched this recently it hit me that this story is really just a grown up Ralphie retelling tales of his youth up to Christmas, His Dad's swears are his memories garbled from time, the you will shoot your eye out is a common reason so it was used by all authorities from his point of view, he saw his family and friends in a way that added to the comedy. He never saw a cop and fireman save his friend but probably assumed or heard about it, He didn't see his parents relax that night watching the snow but felt that must have been what they did, he remembers his youth throughout the whole movie, all the other characters are just set dressing from his retelling. The fantasies being clear enjoyable fantasies he had wanted to recollect, and always we as viewers come back into the scene with Ralphie. It feels like it's solely his Christmas story that he is telling and I really appreciated that. My favorite bit being kids screaming more and more as Ralphie and Randy got closer to Santa but not really hearing the kids ahead of them except for those hard focused, the framing for Santa was gold as it was so clear in his mind this is how he remembers Santa. Saw this when I was a kid and rewatching as an adult I feel it was so much deeper than a romp in the life but a fond retelling from someone's nostalgia.

[@dantheman5582]

What if... Jurassic Park did a crossover with Dawn of the Dead? 🦖🧟‍♂️ This is FanScription!!!!

[@apollorock3r244]

I remember when the Nostalgia Critic put this movie on No. 1 for the Top 12 Christmas Specials which was his very first Christmas episode back in 2008. 15 years later, now he ends up reviewing it for the movie’s 40th anniversary. We went full circle. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to Doug and the cast of Channel Awesome. Can’t wait to see what 2024 is in store for reviews. 😊

[@tylertilwick6852]

Fun Fact: Peter Billingsley (Ralphie) said that Jack Nicholson was originally slated to play the Old Man, but was busy filming Terms of Endearment and also the studio couldn’t afford his salary at the time, thus Darren McGavin was cast.

[@darthstarkiller1912]

Wow, didn't see this review coming. Next year you ought to do the 2022 sequel "A Christmas Story Christmas".

[@samuelbarber6177]

I’d honestly be surprised if you could get much of a review out of that. It’s a charming picture, but it’s not that interesting.

[@jimsutter2748]

I don’t think he destroyed his glasses in the fight, his brother picked them up. What he was afraid of was that his father was going to kill him for the long string of curses, which was a valid child concern based on the soap for one F-bomb and how his friend’s mother punished his friend for “teaching” said curse word.

[@spencercarroll6363]

Crazy to think that this is the last Nostalgia Critic of the year. Looking forward to whatever movies Doug covers next on the Nostalgia Critic in 2024!

[@Rgoid]

Hope one of them is David Lynch’s 1984 version of Dune.

[@brianstryker4536]

Rip Melinda Dillon. But I think what really made this film work is that the parents are never once portrayed as the “bad guy”. A lot of other Christmas movies of this type would portray the mom as more villainous in saying no to the BB gun.

[@lucasgoad5691]

I played Ralphie when my school did a stage version of it ( wasn't a musical). The soap scene and the bunny suit scene were so hard . I remember gagging and having to stop myself from puking at times while performing.

[@frozenaorta]

As a child of the '80s, I grew up loving both Christmastime and this movie. They didn't do the 24-hr marathons back then, so you had to catch it when it was on. Which could be at any time, on any channel, on any day of the season. Its status as a classic was still building, and It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th St, and A Christmas Carol (any version) were all far more cemented into Christmas movie culture. But I LOVED this movie so much as a boy. It always made me think of all the good feels I had over Christmas. So I eventually recorded it on the VCR in the late '80s when I was still very young. And I used to watch it year round whenever I wanted to feel like it was Christmas. I don't care how over-saturated our culture has become with this product -- it'll forever be hilarious, poignant, and special to me. It presses all the right buttons to make me feel like that little kid at Christmas again.

[@koneheadcokehead4981]

"I Fridge My C+'s" NC 2023

[@tyrannosaurusburke]

The last scene of "A Christmas Story" made me really, really miss the snow this Christmas. It doesn't feel like Christmas when I can still see grass.

[@chance_ondriezek99]

Put simply, one of the best Christmas films ever. Simple as that.

[@DarkLord-7]

So here's the thing, when I watched A Christmas Story, apparently there's differently edited versions because the one I saw actually had Ralphie drop the F-bomb. There was no "fudge" and then clarification later. He actually said it. So I think Doug ended up watched the censored version. Also when Ralphie had that fight, I didn't interpret it as the father is gonna be made the glasses broke. I interpreted that he was gonna be made because of the fight and what Ralphie was saying during the fight. So in my understanding, the glasses were never that big of a deal.

[@claytonrios1]

Well after you had to force yourself through the sequel and the live show, it only makes sense to finally remind us all of why the original Christmas Story is a classic that still holds up today!

[@Nebulasecura]

Christmas story Christmas was actually pretty good ngl

[@claytonrios1]

​@@NebulasecuraShould he cover that someday?

[@Nebulasecura]

@claytonrios1 definitely. It actually feels alot more respectful of a sequel than Christmas story 2.

[@kamdan2011]

11:53 When did Ralphie’s glasses get broken when he confronted Scut Farkus? There was no indication they broke when he got hit in the face with a snowball. Randy retrieved them intact and used them as an indication to convey to his mother that Ralphie was in trouble. There’s also zero evidence as to Ralphie having a spare pair of glasses. She just gave him back the pair she got from Randy.

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Happy holidays to doug and the whole CA crew! You're all amazing

[@klimmr]

17:48 I'm surprised that people don't use this as their Christmas Yule Log.

[@andydufresnefromshawshank5866]

14:46 I gotta say at the age of 22, this Christmas is the first time I’ve given my family the majority of the presents especially to my younger brother. I felt the same as the father does

[@LegitMan335]

12:47 very accurate 😂 Disney can’t buy out Warner Brothers .

[@genuinesaucy]

Working at a Chinese restaurant, this movie is a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, Christmas day is an absolute fucking warzone; on the other hand, the tips you get are beyond ridiculous.

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

16:16 Actually, the Chinese Restaurant Scene is probably the MOST Authentic. The specific time this takes place in is never actually stated but it's implied to be sometime in the 1940s, when a fair number of immigrants from countries like China would've entered the US and the movie makes it clear not all the people in said Restaurant have problems speaking English, implying these guys are more recent additions to the country and still learning the language. As such there's nothing racist about it, it's pretty accurate.

[@ryanmorejon5813]

This is a perfect way to end the holidays with a classic Christmas movie review that you've been talking about for years thanks for the review and I wish you and your friends and family a happy new year ❤

[@SerpentNight]

My dad loves this movie in part because he did get his tongue stuck to a pole as a kid in North Dakota. It wasn't as dramatic for him; my grandmother brought out some warm water and that was it. But it brings the memory back for him.

[@joeschmoe5231]

I love this movie because it reminds me of a time in my childhood when my whole world revolved around waiting for what special toy I wanted for Christmas.

[@1993seanmcg]

To me, I think every bit of A Christmas Story is great, I don’t think there’s any slow moment or any bad moment in it for me. My favorite moment is when Ralphie beats up the bully, which from the moment that snowball hits him to when the mother comes to his side is just a great scene, the kid that tries to tell Ralphie his mother’s coming and he just shuts himself down when he realizes it’s too late. That moment goes by really fast so a lot of people might miss it, but it’s one of the biggest highlights for me every year. And it’s one of the most satisfying moment for me because I know Doug and even his brother Rob would agree that the stereotype bullies are the worst cliche that can ruin a movie and cause all the other cliches to spawn from them. These are the bullies that cause the “liar reveal” part that I hate just as much as Doug does, and I know there’s people out there who adore Pixar films like Monsters, Inc. and Finding Nemo, and maybe it’s apples and oranges. But there’s a couple of moments in those Pixar films where I think, “Christmas Story did this so much better and more entertaining and funnier”. When the little girl in Monsters, Inc. beats up Randall, it doesn’t have that same satisfying punch that A Christmas Story has because Ralphie feels like a real kid and is more likable because of it. And the running gag in Finding Nemo of the pelican crashing into the dentist office doesn’t really make me laugh the same way the Bumpus Hounds crash into the house and eat the turkey and the dad freaks out. And just a small nitpick that the “overly cutesy pastel hue color” production design for Monsters, Inc. and Finding Nemo is not my cup of tea, because it feels really pandering to the little kids of how cute these characters are. TL;DR: A Christmas Story > Monsters, Inc./Finding Nemo

[@sillyvision_studios]

I thought you've already done this movie?

[@lenindominguez1986]

Actually it's The first of a Christmas story

[@OboSoCool]

My grandfather loved this movie. He was a kid growing up in the 40’s and he said that this was very realistic

[@mightymidget9690]

I watch his review of a Christmas Story live every night before Christmas

[@thiccusmaximus2515]

My brother and his best friend, who we considered our brother, would watch this movie every year for years because they believed if they didn't, then they'd pull the movie from the air. He doesn't really have to fear that anymore, but since our brother ended up, well, reaching the end of his life, my brother still watches this every year, to remember his best friend, our brother, and the times they had growing up. It's one of the only times of the year that he actually gets emotional, and it both saddens and makes me happy, because those memories are so deep in him, that he can cut through his sorrow to remember the good times he spent around the holidays because of this movie, though I never really cared but still found the same things Doug did for this review. It's a perfect Christmas movie, in the way that it's not too good, not too bad, but it gets it absolutely perfect when it comes to nailing the holidays as both a kid and an adult. We'll always love our brother and this is the one movie that always keeps reminding us of the good times with him.

[@keynanmartinez]

An ageless Christmas Classic.

[@austinthegamer7910]

Yeah can confirm I had a similar blow up when I was younger (around 7-8 years old). I was in elementary school and I'd just gotten a new pair of jeans for Christmas or my birthday, one of the two. Doesn't sound like much but we were poor. Most of my clothes were hand-me-downs from my older brother or my cousins. They were slightly long so I could grow into them but other than that I loved them because it felt like they were really mine. Some pretext is that my bully and my brothers were brothers who lived nearby and they'd been harassing us for a while. My grandpa, Charlie, (a no nonsense Vietnam vet from New York) told me I should stand up for myself but my parents told me to walk away if I was able. So anyways I wear the jeans to school to show them off and my bully, a kid 2 years older than me, comes over with his buddies and start teasing me. I tried to do what I was taught and walk away when he stepped on the end of my pants. I tried to pull myself free but only managed to tear the seam in my pants. I was really upset but they were just laughing. I may have been small for my age but I've always been stocky. So I tackled him to the ground and began beating the shit out of him. His buddies just run away and go get a teacher. It takes the gym coach and another teacher to finally pull me off him. My dad comes down from his shift at Central Concrete and walks in to see me in one chair, my pants torn and an absolutely livid look on my face, and in the other seat is the neighbor kid that had been harassing me, his face all busted up with an ice pack. Mind you I was not a violent kid, I was mostly quiet and kept to myself. That kids dad comes flying into the office, his attire much nicer than my dad's filthy work uniform covered in concrete dust and dirt, demanding I'm expelled and that he's going to sue the pants off my family and blah blah blah. The principal plays the tape (yes, tape) from the security camera showing that they'd instigated the fight and torn my brand new jeans. My mom flips out when she hears my jeans were torn because she's on the phone from her work and I'd literally just gotten these jeans (yes, she already knew that I was fine and was not the one in need of seeing the nurse). The dad is forced to eat his words and apologize to us for his son's behavior. I'm still suspended for a couple days for fighting, not grounded since I only fought when they wouldn't let me run away, but the other dad promises to replace my jeans. Bonus, my grandmother manages to mend my first pair so I have some weekend jeans and a new pair of school jeans. I don't remember much from this time but I heard this story from my dad a couple years ago.

[@clericofchaos1]

I feel like if you stepped back and looked at this movie ONLY with a critical eye, it would probably be pretty bad. There are plot issues, character issues, and some parts that could be left out without changing anything, but the reason this has stuck around so long and what makes this such a great Christmas movie is how relatable it all is. Every kid has had that one Christmas gift they put so much extra effort to get, every kid knows you can't turn down a triple-dog dare and still save face, every kid knows that the only real way to stop a bully is to fight them, every kid has accidentally cussed in front of their parents, and on and on it goes. It never misses a beat. Which is why this movie, set in the 40's and made in the 80's appeals to such a large crowd and will continue to appeal to a large crowd until doomsday.

[@WTFG78]

10:23 “Pfft. Kids.” 😂

[@timspellman47]

I love this movie but i always found it funny because i had my own real shotgun at seven years old.

[@joeymartinez9854]

12:55 not only is the author is in that scene but his wife is in it who wrote the screenplay of this movie and their son is with them in that scene too