A Christmas Story: Unwrapping the Making of a Holiday Classic | A Cinematic Christmas Journey

[@miniontm69]

The final scene with the parents looking out the window gets me each time.

[@jerseyforhawks]

As I was 19 in 1983, I would not pick as a movie to see then. But, as cable and VHS grew, I discovered as magical and classic. Thank you.

[@kjay8534]

Hurrah for you men for giving this present to the world! I got the same amount of joy from watching of this podcast as I did from seeing the movie in the theater those many years ago.

[@dranderson6071]

I truly hope you lads read this. I was 15 when Christmas Story hit the scene. Of course my original thoughts were oh boy this is all we need, a new Christmas movie. Like all 15 yr olds I thought I was cool. So for 5-6 yrs never actually watched entire movie or enjoyed it. Then one holiday season around 1990/91 I Invested more time and fell in love with the movie and cast. The writing was great but you actors stole the show. All of you. And as we know now Christmas Story is a classic must watch. You guys give people a nice feeling in their stomachs and hearts. I’m truly thankful for you guys. I’m sure you hear this all the time but I had to speak up. Watching this discussion is priceless. Would love to know how to purchase a signed by all poster or large picture. Been watching Darren’s old movies, he has a great western he was lead in way back when. Anyways , honestly love you guys and hope life is being good to you. Cheers from good ole Toronto where you filmed some of the movie. Cheers lads and give this old man a reply if you have the time

[@johngeorge7126]

This movie has been special to me since mom took me to see it at the theater. I've watched it every year , and it has been a staple on my Christmas traditions.

[@Acemechanicalservices]

My daughter is almost 3 this Christmas. Every night, since the first time I showed her this movie as we decorated the tree on Saturday after Thanksgiving (a tradition), she has demanded to watch it, sometimes more than once. She calls it “Kids”. She quickly learned what the dvd cover looks like, and she picks it out every night. She has surprised me many times, quoting lines in unison. The best one was when she said, “fifty thousand bucks!”. I’m glad she chose a movie I’ll NEVER get sick of.

[@tomw324]

Great hearing you guys reminisce about this wonderful film. You all were just great and perfectly cast in the roles which you acted out flawlessly. Along with the incredible Darren McGaven and the wonderful Melinda Dillon of course. She really had the mom role down from Close Encounters to this film. However for me, the heart of the film will always be Jean Shepherd's narration, it is his creation and you can tell the love and wit and the twinkle in his voice as he relates it. Wish you luck with a sequel if that is in the works but without him as the guiding narrator and story teller, not sure it is going to work.

[@Nephilimfields]

I'm so happy this movie got made. It's my absolute favourite Christmas movie. When I had cable and it was played for 24 hours, I always had it on.

[@imissnj2]

The casting for this movie was perfect. Our favorite Christmas movie!

[@chadbennett7873]

I attended a pre-release premiere of this movie in Los Angeles. My sister-in-law had won tickets from a radio station, and knowing what a movie buff I was, invited me to attend with her. I loved it from the first to the last scene and have watched it nearly a million times since. Few people realize there was a sequel called "My Summer Story" which was also great fun, but not on the level of the first because there was an entire cast change. Charles Grodin, Mary Steenbergen and Kieran Caulkin as the Father, Mother and Ralphie, and I really give the casting of Peter as giving the original it's heart and soul. Every actor hit their spot, and the direction was great. It's fun to see Peter's work since, and I have seen several of his films and love his work. I wish he would get on lens side of the camera more frequently, because it's always fun when he's in a scene. Thanks for sharing all this fun information to an original fan!

[@Navygrl58]

My love for A Christmas Story sent me back to finding Jean Shepherds radio broadcasts, which if your not a senior citizen like me you might not know about, but it’s all available on KZbin. Do yourself a favor and settle in to all of those wonderful radio broadcasts and you’ll see where a Christmas Story really came from! Thanks so much for this wonderful video, it just extends the greatness of Jean Shepherd and the delight of the movie!

[@roxanaconception]

Also Family Theater!

[@Navygrl58]

@ Yes! Family Theatre was great, you really had to use your imagination and the shows were wholesome and enjoyable! So many wonderful things have been left in the past unfortunately.

[@patbowman6723]

Peter is just as cute as when he was little Ralphie. My favorite movie.

[@oicchico944]

This is my favorite Christmas movie. I bought the DVD ,but still watch the TV marathon.

[@jaythor70]

My family and I watch this every Christmas Eve, and have for the last 28 years or so when it first got the 24hr treatment. This is our Christmas tradition movie. We love it: great cast, relatable characters (even to me raised in the 70s), great story. Good to see the boys together, now all grown up, and their take on the making. I get Peter seeing his director as a bit through hero-goggles, but he said he knew of no other director to tackle so many genres. I guess he has never gotten to meet Steven Spielberg....

[@frednugent2310]

Peter Billingsley is an official National Treasure.

[@AGirlandaGermanShepherd]

My favorite movie. Peter B looks just as adorable now. Now I'm embarrassed. Proud of your accomplishments ❤

[@Thekarlskorner]

A Christmas Story and Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss are my two most cherished movies to watch. Both stories are so middle America and tell real parallel stories as I experienced growing up on the Southside of Chicago.

[@jondavid1071]

"The bell rang" The way Schwartz throws his hands up in resignation was genius. So relatable on the school yard.

[@stvinney]

Im a kid of the 80s and even though i spent a lot of time playing sports and being outside, at heart i was a movie and tv junkie. I remember being at my friend's house and he told me this movie a Christmas story came on last night and he had recorded it. I remember watching it, probably in December 84 or 85 for the first time in his living room Its funny that that's a memory i hung onto... It was the perfect Christmas movie for a 9 or 10 year old boy. Funny, entertaining and comforting... The fact that we have instant access to almost everything nowadays is cool but it takes away also Today me and my friend would've probably missed that experience, playing Fortnite or Roblox or watching some TikToks like every other kid. I realize im starting to sound like an old man but todays movies, at least the ones that are supposed to make you feel good for a couple of hours, have disappeared

[@jondavid1071]

Fantastic film much like Its a Wonderful Life took awhile to become engrained in Americana society but cant imagine Christmas without it. Jean Sheps narration is wonderful. Peter was amazing as Ralphie as well as later on Messy Marvin and the Dirt Bike kid roles.

[@Jason47-74]

My Grandpa on my dad’s side passed away in 1996, long after this movie was made, but my dad says how he and his siblings would laugh hysterically during the dad scenes with him yelling because the character all reminded them of their dad. My dad said his dad was always confused why they thought it so funny. Fast forward to 2018, I’m married and it was a struggle to introduce my Ukrainian wife to watch my favorite Christmas movie. She was hesitant because it was old, but she fell in love with it instantly and suggests we watch it several times every Christmas season. I have fond memories growing up watching it. Once I received a hidden present for Christmas as a kid containing a BB gun.

[@MrKaywyn]

The group interview is fascinating.

[@thisthat283]

I remember them shooting this in Toronto. And riding those Toronto Transit Commission Red Rocket Street Cars.

[@melissahernandez3072]

I love a Christmas story. It's my favorite Christmas movie

[@Marsflyin]

Hearing you guys talk about this movie is awesome. Making my childhood

[@patrickroy3380]

My favorite Christmas movie ❤ great hearing things I didnt know about it .

[@YouthIncSports]

Ours too

[@StrummaChick]

I don’t own very many movies Because like a dummy I’ve either sold them or given them away I have this one and watch it when it’s not Christmas because it’s that great! Thank you for this behind the scenes treat

[@finchborat]

A Christmas Story was the first movie I watched from start to finish. I grew up with the 24 hr marathon and that started when I was a little kid. I still watch the marathon every yr. It never gets old. For Christmas in 2000, I got a BB gun rifle. I didn't want one because I was scared I was gonna actually shoot my eye out. 8 yr old me thought it was something that could actually happen. Ultimately, I grew to love it and I never had any BBs bounce off and come back at my face.

[@YouthIncSports]

It really never does get old!

[@danielhaynes2373]

Love behind the scenes programs like this!

[@YouthIncSports]

Thank you we have more dropping soon

[@emmabauer1906]

Really enjoyed this. Such a great movie that was perfectly cast.

[@inwex8350]

This is a must watch for fans.

[@BobbNaef]

Watched the filming of the Flagpole licking scene it was a fun day. Seen it in theaters and my favorite Christmas Flick to watch😊

[@jacobfamily4544]

Hearing the early version Shep told in '64 made me appreciate the creativity that went into the film.

[@badad0166]

Peter and Vince Vaughn worked together when Peter was the big deal and Vince was up and coming. They've been friends ever since (to my knowledge) and Peter produced Vince's "Wild West Tour" (StandUps on a bus tour documentary, really gpod) movie where they discuss how and when they met and show clips from their movie together. Vince got the master bedroom on the tour bus. Showbiz!

[@brendatrump5163]

OMG, I can still see that little child when I look at this grown up's face. It's the eyes mostly I think.

[@patrickleitgeb]

Great podcast episode! Looking forward to watching the others.

[@YouthIncSports]

They drop today and tomorrow!

[@alleyhewes6550]

I watch it all the time i have it on dvd

[@kurtb8474]

I first watched this movie on a VHS tape my brother had. I would say it was a year after it was released. It became part of my Christmas collection immediately. It's great to see Peter talk about Ralphie as another person which is appropriate. Many times an actor gest mixed up with the character they're known for by fans. Peter is an actor and Ralphie is fictitious character.

[@lynnturman8157]

Great analysis. Here's my two cents why this still has legs: In the 70s, 80s, 90, 2000s, It's a Wonderful Life had universal appeal (and of course it still does) because it showed us the value of community. But community doesn't really exist anymore (when was the last time most of us visited, took interest in, or even acknowledged our neighbor?). Christmas Story sort of took over the spot as everybody's favorite Christmas movie because it primarily focuses on the nuclear family (which still does have value) as opposed to community. And also I think it resonates more now than it did when it first came out because the world has become more cynical. This movie seemed very cynical when it first came out. I know that that's what I thought when I first saw it at about 20 years old on HBO in 1984. But our sensibility has changed & what seemed inappropriate for a family Christmas movie in the early-mid 80s now feels familiar, relatable, and heartwarming. I love this movie & we watch it every year.

[@AndyJay1985]

To me, it's the "underdog" movie. It's not grandiose or flashy. It's the movie you relate to, then tell your friends about it, and then so on and so on. While others might feel like 24 hours is overkill, it's comforting for me. For Christmas, I can turn on the TV and be with the Parkers.

[@cheryl2962]

Looks interesing! Subscribed today!

[@johngeorge7126]

I'd like to hear about the Toy and acting with Richard Pryor

[@garfixit]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤I also like the part 2 I have to watch this video every Christmas 🎄

[@MrKaywyn]

Clark also directed Black Christmas and Murder By Decree.

[@jackharle1251]

Everyone had a Scott Farkus

[@SuperJoshuaWorld64]

I'm watching a Christmas story christmas.. Which made me up a interview from you

[@MultiPetercool]

Jason Robards played a character named Murray in a film called “A Thousand Clowns”. The character of Murray was based on Jean Shepherd. it is no way is biographical, but apparently the character was meant to portray someone with a personality like old Shep.

[@robdailey2014]

I went to one of the old conventions in Cleveland put on by Brian. Met everyone except Peter. Seen where the Cleveland just had everyone there again. Where’s the best place to find out when all of the cast will be together again??

[@unclematt3134]

Don't get kicked in the face ! lol. The trailer for the 2022 film looks good. I'll check it out.

[@sebrofg]

Great podcast! I can’t believe the low viewing figures this has under 1,000 when posted 🤯

[@YouthIncSports]

Spread the word!

[@tylerthompson1842]

Is there a cast commentary version out? If not we need one with you guys

[@lynnturman8157]

The DVD that came out in 2004 has a commentary with Bob Clarke & Peter Billingsley. Plus interviews with the kid actors in the special features. Great DVD if you can find it.

[@MultiPetercool]

“The Wonder Years” TV series was clearly inspired by A Christmas Story.

[@Mr.EastCoast-oj2xk]

"Listen jerk... When i tell you to come you better come..."

[@joeanderson9852]

❤

[@tim58850]

Wow good to see tham

[@andyhamilton8940]

What about the heater conflict? 😅

[@jediknightjairinaiki560]

I've never seen this film.

[@jerseyforhawks]

Ralphie got the BB gun I always wanted, only in my 40s did reward myself, winging fictionous bad guys now, thank you.❤

[@Mr.EastCoast-oj2xk]

Just had my newly 4k blu ray delivered the other day

[@badad0166]

11:10 He should have jumped up and proclaimed, "I demand a refund!"

[@princerob610]

I almost was the kid who got tongue stuck on pole in movie

[@MsDisneylandlover]

I have it on dvd #DisneyDiva

[@jm1551701]

I remember when this film premiered in 83, it was really not that big of a hit then, I did go see this in the theater, mainly because I was a Darren McGavin fan, i grew up watching him as Kolchek The Night Stalker, so I wanted to see him in this film, but now it has a definite cult following,

[@nicholasmilillomusic]

Anyone have timestamps?

[@robertmiller3810]

I guess Ralph is colorblind because he knocks off his glasses and cannot see brown framed glasses on white snow and steps on them.

[@jackharle1251]

Norm MacDonald and Drake Sather took that goofy writing class, said it was worthless and deserved criticism (10:30)

[@OurBackwoodsHomestead]

Love the concept, but everyone is talking over each other....try it again talking about the scenes , locations, how you got the job one at a time.

[@jerrycundiff6748]

Schwartz is so overbearing. Just can't help himselff.

[@SueProv]

It's 1939...before America entered. WW2.

[@finchborat]

It actually is based in the 40s. I noticed this a few yrs back. On the decoder, it has 1940 engraved on it.

[@michaelharrington75]

I think 40 to 41?

[@luisrizo8813]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r164hZecg9Gcg9U