The Renaissance Cleveland Hotel is again the headquarters for A Christmas Story Convention.
A Christmas Story Convention package will be available November 25 through 28, 2010 and includes:
• Deluxe accommodations
• Parking
• Buffet breakfast for two in the Brasserie Restaurant
• Two (2) Ralphie Passes
• A Christmas Story Mark Klaus exclusive welcome gift.
Package reservations will be available in the coming months starting at $229!
Ralphie Passes are available exclusive through the Renaissance Hotel. Each hotel package includes 2 Ralphie Passes. Additional passes can be purchased at the Renaissance Hotel during the convention.
Ralphie Passes Include:
Cost: $30 Adults, $25 Chrildren
A Christmas Story House adorned in thousand of lights.
Notice that even the Santa is in the front yard.
The Cox Family in front of A Christmas Story just before the lighting ceremony.
Video Courtesy of Insider Perks.
View other Cleveland tourism videos at InsiderPerks.com
A Christmas Story House adorned in thousand of lights.
Notice that even the Santa is in the front yard.
The Cox Family in front of A Christmas Story just before the lighting ceremony.
Attacthed are 3 pictures I took of our house 2 night ago. This year our house has over 260,000 lights on it (just a few more than Clark Griswold), everyone of our lights are computer animated and synchronized to music. It takes over 6 miles of extension cords to run it all, and 20- 20 amp breakers to power it all. We have been decorating since 2004, and it is our tradition to have one of the most decorated houses in the country. My wife and I have watched a Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation every year as long as I can remember, and we are now passing this tradition on to our 2 young daughters.
Just as Clark Griswold does, we have a light up night party every year with a few hundred people showing up to see our amazing light show. I have gotten the nickname Griswold in the neighborhood, and I always respond with “Clark Griswold has nothing on our display.” It would be a great honor to visit Ralphie’s home and switch on the lights. I have followed the progress of the house being renovated and I am glad this piece of history will live on for everyone to enjoy.
We even have a website dedicated to our christmas lights. www.steelcitychristmas.com
My name is Disberger, and I’m trying to win this contest for my wife. A few years ago I wanted to buy her a Red Ryder BB gun, but I couldn’t find one with a compass in the stalk and a thing which tells time. So, I bought a gun, and my son helped me add the compass in the stalk. Last year,I bought her Red Ryder BB gun form the Christmas Story store. Now she has two guns and a major award. She leaves her major award up all year. This year I’d really like to win this contest so she can see where Christmas Story was filmed. Plus, I don’t think a football is a very good Christmas present for my wife. She home schools our six children. I’ve spent forever working on the Christmas lights. I hope it will be enough to win her the best Christmas gift ever. I had a lot of things go wrong, but I kept trying. I have so many lights going that a fuse kept going out. Now, I can “change a fuse faster than a jackrabbit on a date.”
I’ve always been mystified with the spirit of Christmas Season, the time of year when people are good spirited, ministering to others, and seeking to be dazzled in return by Christmas imagery on those chilly nights, with images of Christmas they can’t find anywhere else.
Each year I love to “out-Griswold” myself, mystifying the crowds who make their annual pilgrimage to my very unique and environmentally friendly, 60,000+ LED display with no incandescent light strings to be found.
I do this for the crowds to be a beacon of light in our dark corner of the earth, because I love to see them stand in amazement; little kids with ear to ear smiles as big as adults, and to see adults with child like smiles of amazement as they relive their fondest childhood Christmas memories while having their senses dazzled by my own Clark Griswold display.
I dazzle them with unimaginable technology, lights synchronized to music, transmitted to their car radios, inspiring adult and child alike and raising the bar each year. But unlike the careless Clark Griswold, safety, careful design, and unique amazement are what make my display a hit every year.
My story is not one of great grandeur, but I am proud of it. My husband and I are originally from Cleveland Ohio but found ourselves having to re-locate to a new State due to an unexpected lay-off. We moved to North Carolina which had no snow and our first Christmas there left me feeling sad and lonely for Cleveland snow and my family. My husband knew he had to do something to bring the Christmas spirit back to me. It all started with a friendly competition between us and our neighbors to see who could create the best display. Now I have always wanted my house decorated like the Griswald’s (25,000 imported Italian twinkle lights). Before we knew it we went back to the store 3 or 4 times for more lights. 12 hours later you could see our house from 2 blocks away and cars were stopping to see the display of lights. My house is the one in the middle. My husband spent most the day on the roof making sure the lights were straight. After looking at my house I felt like I was part of the Griswald family tradition. We are now back in snowy Cleveland and loving it. I would love to be chosen to light the Christmas story house because I am a proud Clevelander and who better to represent the lighting but someone from Cleveland.
Lori M., Ohio
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Here is my entry for the Griswold Contest.
Each year my brothers, sister, and I try to convince my dad how “uncool” it is to decorate the house as much as he does. But, He says it’s our way to show our “Christmas spirit”. He typically begins the day before Thanksgiving and doesn’t stop adding to the house until it all comes down in January. When they get turned on each night it has to be in a particular order so a breaker doesn’t blow.
My dad is someone who says “bah humbug” one second but is handing out candy canes to the kids of the neighborhood the next. It’s the one time of year he doesn’t look at price tags but only thinks of how it will make us all feel, which in my opinion, is the true “Griswold style.” Like Clark Griswold my dad always puts our family first (and sometimes even has his severe outburst of frustration!).
I am nominating myself because I feel that our quaint home is a representative of the Griswold Christmas home. Clark Griswold used 25,000 lights (a Griswold is the measure of number of 25,000 lights) and I do too. With lights on the roof, on the gutters, in trees, in inflatables, used to light flamingos, and a singing reindeer that sings to the music, I hope that you enjoy my entry. In the attached picture, you see that our Christmas spirit is a family event.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Attached is a photo of my new home decorated last year for my first Christmas. As i was taking the photo it began to snow which made it feel even more like Christmas, it’s not as big as the Griswold house and it don’t have as many lights but if i could afford it i would really decorate it as Clark Griswold did in the movie.
After seeing the Christmas Vacation movie I loved it so much that i even bought the movie just so that i can watch it anytime time i want, it was truly a wonderful Christmas movie and If i was an actress those are the the types of movies that i would love to star in. Christmas is my favorite time of the year and what makes it even more special is when i watch the Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation movies which are the top two movies in my Holiday collection. Both movies really bring out the true meaning of family and the Holidays.
My name is Trevor and I want to nominate myself for this contest. Nobody loves Christmas more than I do and I really want to be chosen for this. All the Christmas shows on TV has always been a huge part of my family’s Christmas traditions. Several years ago I decided to begin making my own yard decorations to capture the special moments of everyone’s favorite Christmas specials. I personally hand-make all my character yard decorations and I try to add more each year. So far I have created “The Grinch”, a famous scene from Charlie Brown’s Christmas, the “triple dog dare” scene, and last year I created the “Peanut’s Gang” performing the nativity play that Charlie Brown directed. This year I want to create and add a life size “cousin Eddie” pumping sewage from his RV in my yard. I also built a huge drive-in style movie screen in my yard that I show Christmas films on each year and all the neighbors come out and watch with their families. Every year when I go out in public during Christmas, I wear my “cousin Eddie” hat everywhere I go. People drive from all over to see my “one of a kind”, hand made Christmas characters and take pictures with my decorations and their families. No one wants the opportunity to light the 25,000 lights and get this Christmas package more than I.
My name is Melissa and I would like to nominate my husband Stan. Stan has been decorating our house for a few years now in true Griswold fashion. What started as a contest with his brother about who could put up more Christmas lights has turned into a family tradition and fundraising event. Stan, our own expert in exterior illumination, plans for Christmas all year round and has recruited our two sons to do the same. They spend hours stapling to the side of the house…and the roof (ugh!), checking lights, programming music and wrapping trees. He loves to watch the reaction of all the people that stop by, so he spends hours every night handing out candy canes to all the families. Stan (also known to some as “Stanta”) has collected thousands of canned goods for the local food pantry just by asking people to bring a canned good when they drive by to see the lights. This year he is collecting for the Make-A-Wish foundation to spread even more Christmas cheer. He dreams of visiting the Christmas Story House someday, and this would make his dream come true!!!
I would like to nominate my husband, Rollie, as the embodiment of Clark Griswold and the Christmas spirit. When we married 19 years ago, I casually asked if he would put up a “few “ lights. Little did I know that a gentle prompt to this former self-proclaimed “Scrooge” would set into motion an obsession that became a neighborhood “competition”. And when we moved to a larger house, in turn, the display became bigger and grander; so much so that we had to add to our electrical service to accommodate the additional wattage. To complete our reputation in the neighborhood as the “Christmas House”, my husband began playing Santa about 12 years ago to over 200 children each year.
Even for Clark Griswold, the Christmas season is that short time between Thanksgiving and New Years. That is when full neighborhoods are full of lights, decorations, and music of the holidays, but for my daughter, Tina, Christmas is 365 days a year. Her bedroom is always decorated for Christmas; from its red walls with snowflake border, its Christmas comforter on the bed, and a Christmas tree, to moving animatronic figures. Christmas music can be heard playing from her old time speaker on even the hottest days of the year. For Tina, Christmas isn’t a holiday; it’s a state of being. She carries Christmas with her everyday and that is why I am nominating her for the Griswold Contest from A Christmas Story House and Museum.
These videos are our house Christmas 2008. Notice the leg lamp in the rar right window (sorry it’s not that clear). My husband absolutely LOVES Christmas! He IS “Ralphie Griswold”!
James F., New YorkWhat a great contest, my 2 main staples for christmas are “A Christmas Story” (that the kids and i watch several hunfread times a year) and christmas vacation. it has been my lifes dream to do my house like the griswalds in christams vacation, so a couple years ago i decided to computerize my christmas lights. along with what is now my light show of 20+ songs i have added amd added to my display with many blow ups, wire frames and much more, i strive to one day have every inch of my yard covered with lights. My motto “you can never have enough lights”. along with the outside of the house, the inside is just as decorated, it takes my wife and i almost a month to decorate every square inch of our house and if it were up to me, we would leave it up all year. this link show just one of my many songs in my light show, if you would like to see more, just search you tube for MAY2700. thanks for entering me into your contest. |
Here are a few pics from 2001 the year my son Chance was born. I got into the Christmas spirit big time that year and the every year since then. That year I definitly went GRISWOLD CRAZY with only a small yard [ close to the size of Ralphies back yard ] using over 32,000 lights I transformed my yard and house into The Ultimate Griswold Family Christmas House. Which included a 15 foot wreath made from our trampoline, 10 foot star, and over 8 inflatables which at that time were new to christmas decorating. 20,000 twinkling and cascadeing lights, countless numbers of hard plastic figures, candy canes, and much more. It felt great to be the talk of the town and having everyone in town drive by and see the lights. To many people to count still to this day call me “Clark Griswold” and can’t wait to see my new lights. I won’t even try to count the number of times I’ve watched Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story all I know is I haven’t watched them enough yet. Oh yeah please pick me it would make this old man’s hap hap happiest christmas ever.
We started to decorate the house about 5 yrs ago and in those 5 years, we have become known as the Griswold family of Marlton, NJ… We can be standing out on the sidewalk and have cars go by yelling out to us - “You go Griswold!” We get people from all over the tri-state area, and we have had families as far away as Ireland visit us. We decorate because we love it. We go all out and try to find unique decorations for our house and yard. This year we bought a “Mooning Santa” that wishes you a Happy Holiday, just in a very unique way. This year we will have over 100,000 lights, 25 inflatables, synchronized music to the lights, and all kind of fun things in the yard. We also raise donations for local charities because in our eyes, Christmas is for giving… We would love to represent the Griswolds of America!!
Everyone calls me Clark Griswold. My motto is “there’s not enough lights until the power company calls”. Growing Up I loved to see Christmas lights. When I grew up and bought my own home, The first thing I did was add a bunch of outlets outside for my lights, and the rest is history. From the photos, you can see my house was also incomplete, until I received a leg lamp from my wife, who every year jokes with me and tells me it had been broken in storage.
My husband has loved Christmas all his life. He has already started to put new Christmas decorations together this year. His first item out is always the manger, then he works on the roof. He has a ‘forest’ of trees and a winter amusement park with rides. We make a cd of the kids singing and talking to use on our radio station. Our house is a major draw in our area with friends and family driving from all over to see. His mentor is Clark Griswald and loves the movie.
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To commemorate the 20th anniversary of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation A Christmas Story House gift shop is carrying replica moose mugs, just like the ones that Clark and Cousin Eddie toasted. The perfect Christmas party item or gift for that special “cousin” in your life.
Replica Moose Mugs are available in our gift shop.
Eggnog from a Moose Mug! What a wonderful Christmas memory!
Replica Moose Mugs are available in our gift shop.
“Cheers Clark!”
Replica Moose Mugs are available in our gift shop.
Who wouldn’t want to toast Eggnog with their cousin!?
The 20th Anniversary of National Lampoons Christmas Vacation!
Ebay Giving Works Auction raised $5250 for Wounded Warrior Project!
Spending a winter night in Cleveland doesn’t usually sound like a prize. But for one Pennsylvania couple, it’s going to feel like being in the movies.
Linda Campagna and husband Thomas Streib submitted the winning bid in a charity auction to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning in the West 11th Street house that was the setting for “A Christmas Story,” the classic movie that is marking its 25th anniversary.
Like young Ralphie Parker and his movie family, the couple and two of their daughters will eat a “Chinese turkey” dinner of Peking duck. They’ll unwrap gifts like a blue bowling ball and can of Simoniz, shoot BB guns in the back yard and have the chance to try on a pink bunny suit.
Just like the one Ralphie was forced to wear.
” ‘You look like a pink nightmare’ is the phrase from the movie I think I use most,” Campagna said. “We’ll try and relive the whole movie. We’ll take tons of pictures.”
No one besides owner Brian Jones and a few friends has ever stayed in the house since he bought and renovated it, and no one ever at Christmas. Campagna and Streib got their chance to relive the movie by bidding $5,250 on eBay Giving Works, the charity listings site, to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project that helps veterans.
Jones, a former Navy intelligence officer, picked the charity after eBay approached him about offering an “experience package.”
“It meant a lot to us,” Campagna said, because she and her husband are both former Army sergeants. “We went higher than we would have gone otherwise.”
They live in Stewartstown, Pa., work for Boeing in neighboring Maryland, and are — of course — longtime fans of “A Christmas Story.”
Until hearing about the auction on the radio, however, “we didn’t even realize there was a real house,” Campagna said. “My husband called and said, ‘Quick, go to eBay!’ ”
They topped 15 bidders to earn their first trip to Cleveland.
They will be flown from Baltimore to Cleveland as part of the package.
“When the whole thing is over,” Campagna said, “we’re hoping we’ll have time to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”
“A Tribute to the Original, Traditional, One-Hundred-Percent, Red-Blooded, Two-Fisted, All-American Christmas…” is now yours for the bidding. eBay Giving Works, eBay’s program that empowers people to buy and sell for a cause, and A Christmas Story House & Museum, celebrating the film’s 25th anniversary, invite the winning bidder and 3 guests to spend Christmas Eve & Christmas Morning reliving their favorite moments from the cult classic A Christmas Story at the original Christmas Story House in Cleveland, Ohio! This special experience is being offered exclusively on eBay Giving Works, with all proceeds from the charity auction going to the Wounded Warrior Project.
*The seller will book the flights for the winning bidder and guests and cover the cost up to $1800 (including air travel cost, fees, and taxes for all four people.) Every effort will be made to book the flights for less than $1800 for the 4 people, but in the event the cost exceeds $1800, the winning bidder will need to pay the difference to the seller. The flights cannot be used separately from this auction experience. The winner will not have a choice of airlines or flight times, although the seller will try to accommodate their requested itineraries. The winner may not resell the flights or any other portion of this experience. The winner and guests using the air travel will need to be the same people who will be taking part in the experience.
DECEMBER 24:
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A bid is a legally binding contract and you agree to be bound to make payment if your eBay ID is the highest bidder, even if a higher bid has been removed, resulting in you being the high bidder. If your account is used by a family member, other person in your household, or even a friend with access to your account, you are still fully liable and cannot avoid payment. Please do not bid if you are not 100% certain you can follow through with payment at the winning bid price promptly.
A non-paying bidder will be subject to collection and legal costs. By bidding in this charity auction, the bidder understands and agrees to eBay’s terms of service as well as all terms and conditions mentioned here.
No part of the text, design, photos, video, or other content from this charity auction or associated pages may be used without written permission of the appropriate license holders.
PAYMENT
Payment must be made through Paypal, although a credit card can be used at PayPal to fund this purchase if desired. Full payment is required within (3) days of the auction close. Failure to deliver payment within the designated time will result in default of the bid and we may select the next highest bidder.
A portion of the winning bid amount made through this charity auction may be tax deductible. Please consult with your tax advisor for more information, as we are unable to provide tax consulting due to the unique tax situation of each person.
Q: DO I NEED TO BE PREQUALIFIED TO BID?
A: Bidder prequalification may be necessary in order to ensure the sincerity of bids. If the auction is blocked, click here to fill out our form.
Q: CAN ADDITIONAL GUESTS ATTEND PARTS OF THE EXPERIENCE?
A:
Q: WILL I NEED TO PAY TAXES ON THE HOTEL STAY?
A. No, however, a credit card will be required upon check-in. The winning bidder must sign an agreement to pay for any missing items or damage that occurs during their stay and provide a valid credit card to cover such expenses.
Q: CAN I TAKE PICTURES IN THE HOUSE?
A: Yes. The winning bidder and guests are encouraged to bring a camera to take photos in the house.
Q: IF I LIVE NEAR OHIO, CAN I USE THE AIRFARE AT A LATER TIME?
A: The airfare must be used in conjunction with the charity auction experience and cannot be used at a later time.
Q: IS GROUND TRANSPORTATION INCLUDED?
A. No, the winning bidder and guests must provide their own transportation to and from the airport and around town.
Q: WHAT IF I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS NOT ADDRESSED HERE?
A: Should you have any questions about this charity auction not addressed here, please contact us by using the “ask seller a question” link at the top of the page.
Box Cox House in Pittsburgh, PA with 260,000 lights
Bob Cox lighting thousands of light on A Christmas Story House.
A Christmas Story House lite as a salute to Christmas Vacation.
Clark Griswold’s House from Christmas Vacation.
The Cox Family came to A Christmas Story House & Museum in Cleveland, Ohio to officially plug-in the lights on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 5:30 pm. The lights were installed by Holiday Lights of Cleveland and will remain on the house throughout the Christmas season.
The prize also included:
Contest Sponsors
The convention will feature appearances by seven original cast members (Randy, Flick, Scut Farkus, Grover Dill, Miss Shields, and the two evil elves) a bb gun range in the back yard of the house, rides on the original fire truck from the movie, special movie screening with commentary, downtown tree lighting ceremony and several other events. The convention will take place Thanksgiving weekend 2010 at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel and coincide with Cleveland’s Winterfest.
The Renaissance Cleveland Hotel is the site for most of the convention events. For A Christmas Story fans coming from outside downtown Cleveland the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel will be offering all-inclusive accommodations packages. Hotel guests receive all inclusive Ralphie Passes, exclusive admission to a cocktail party with the actors Friday night and early access to the meet and greet with the actors Saturday morning.
Click here for more information
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2010
10 AM - 5 PM: A Christmas Story House & Museum open. Tour the house, visit the museum and stop by the gift shop. Also, take your best shot (without shooting your eye out) at the BB gun range in the house’s back yard.
Location: A Christmas Story House.
Cost: Included with the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel package seperately $8 Adults, $6 Children
10 AM - 5 PM: Fire truck rides at A Christmas Story House. Ride the original fire truck used in the movie from Flick’s famous tongue-on-the-flagpole scene. Rides begin at A Christmas Story House and travel around the neighborhood. Proceeds benefit the Chippawa Volunteer Fire Department (Niagara Falls, Ontario), which owns and maintains the fire truck.
Location: A Christmas Story House.
Cost: Included with Renaissance Hotel Package. Separately $5 Adults, $3 Children.
10 AM - 9 PM: “Holly”wood Christmas Movieland open in Great Northern Mall. See original props, costumes and memorabilia from the Christmas season’s most spectacular, heartwarming, and memorable movies including the Grinch sleigh.
Location: Great Northern Mall, North Olmsted
Cost: $7 Adults, $5 Children.
12 PM - 5 PM: Meet actors from A Christmas Story and get their autographs. Meet Randy, Flick, Scut Farkus, Grover Dill, Miss Shields, and the two Evil Elves.
Location: Ambassador Ballroom of the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Admission and 2 autographs include with Renaissance Hotel Package. Seperate admission is $10 and includes 1 autograph.
4 PM - 6 PM: Screening of A Christmas Story with commentary about the movie and its production by Ian Petrella (aka Randy) Enjoy the movie on the big screen and find out all behind the scenes information and trivia from one of its stars.
Location: Gold Ballroom at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Free.
7 PM – 9 PM: Screening of Shooting Your Eye Out: The Untold ‘Christmas Story’, a documentary about the making of A Christmas Story and the phenomenon it has become. The documentary includes commentary and insights from the actors about their memories from the making of the movie.
Location: Gold Ballroom at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Free
9 PM: Cocktail reception with actors from A Christmas Story immediately following the screening of Shooting Your Eye Out:The Untold ‘Christmas Story’.
Location: Gold Ballroom at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Exclusive to Renaissance Cleveland Hotel Guests Only. Two ticket free drink tickets are included with the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel package.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2010
9 AM – 7 PM: A Christmas Story House & Museum open with extended hours. Tour the house, visit the museum and stop by the gift shop. Also, take your best shot (without shooting your eye out) at the BB gun range in the house’s back yard.
Location: A Christmas Story House.
Cost: Included with the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel package seperately $8 Adults, $6 Children
10 AM: New deleted scenes costume exhibits unveiled at A Christmas Story Museum. See the costumes from the deleted Flash Gordon fanasty scene that did not make the final cut of the movie.
Location: A Christmas Story Museum.
Cost: Free with House and Museum admission.
10 AM - 5 PM: Fire truck rides at A Christmas Story House. Ride the original fire truck used in the movie from Flick’s famous tongue-on-the-flagpole scene. Rides begin at A Christmas Story House and travel around the neighborhood. Proceeds benefit the Chippawa Volunteer Fire Department (Niagara Falls, Ontario), which owns and maintains the fire truck.
Location: A Christmas Story House.
Cost: Included with Renaissance Hotel Package. Separately $5 Adults, $3 Children.
10 AM – 5 PM: Lolly the Trolley’s “Ralphie Express” will provide round-trip transportation between the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel and A Christmas Story House. The trolley departs every half-hour. Due to limited street parking at A Christmas Story House, attendees are encouraged to park downtown near the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel and take the trolley to the house.
Location: Renaissance Cleveland Hotel main entrance.
Cost: Included with Renaissance Hotel Package Separately $7 Adults, $4 Children for round-trip transportation.
10 AM - 12 PM: Exclusive actor meet-and-greet for Renaissance Cleveland Hotel guests only. Meet actors from the movie and get their autographs. Meet Randy, Flick, Scut Farkus, Grover Dill, Miss Shields, and the two Evil Elves. (The meet-and-greet opens to the general public at 12 PM.)
Location: Ambassador Ballroom at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Exclusive to Renaissance Hotel Guests only. 2 Autographs included for adults. Additional autographs are $10 each.
10 AM - 9 PM: “Holly”wood Christmas Movieland open in Great Northern Mall. See original props, costumes and memorabilia from the Christmas season’s most spectacular, heartwarming, and memorable movies including the Grinch sleigh.
Location: Great Northern Mall, North Olmsted
Cost: $7 Adults, $5 Children.
12 PM - 6 PM: Meet actors from A Christmas Story and get their autographs. Meet Black Bart, Randy, Flick, Scut Farkus, Grover Dill, Miss Shields, and the two Evil Elves.
Location: Ambassador Ballroom of the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Admission and 2 autographs include with Renaissance Hotel Package. Seperate admission is $10 and includes 1 autograph.
4 PM: Character look-a-like contest. Dress up as your favorite A Christmas Story character to win a “Major Award” prize.
Location: Gold Ballroom at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Free.
5 PM: Last trip of the “Ralphie Express”. The last Lolly the Trolley trip departs A Christmas Story House for the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. BB-gun range in the back yard of A Christmas Story House closes
6 PM - 7:30 PM: Screening of A Christmas Story. Enjoy the movie on the big screen.
Location: Gold Ballroom at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Free.
6 PM: Winterfest! Get into the holiday spirit with the tree lighting ceremony, parade, and fireworks show. The Winterfest parade.. The parade and other events take place right on Public Square in front of the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. Enjoy the parade while standing right in front of the Higbee’s Building (also on Public Square) just like the Parker family did in A Christmas Story.
Location: Public Square.
Cost: Free.
7 PM: A Christmas Story House & Museum closes for the day.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2010
12 NOON - 5 PM: A Christmas Story House & Museum open. Tour the house, visit the museum and stop by the gift shop. Also, take your best shot (without shooting your eye out) at the BB gun range in the house’s back yard.
Location: A Christmas Story House.
Cost: $8 Adults, $6 Children.
12 NOON - 6 PM: “Holly”wood Christmas Movieland open in Great Northern Mall. See original props, costumes and memorabilia from the Christmas season’s most spectacular, heartwarming, and memorable movies including the Grinch sleigh.
Location: Great Northern Mall, North Olmsted
Cost: $7 Adults, $5 Children.
This season, two holiday classic movies have collided: A Christmas Story House & Museum has “gone Griswold” and bedecked in thousands twinkle lights to celebrate the 20th anniversary of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. To commemorate, A Christmas Story House gift shop will sell replica moose mugs, just like the ones that Clark and Cousin Eddie toasted.
The 20th Anniversary of National Lampoons Christmas Vacation!
25,000 imported Italian twinkle lights!
Eggnog from a Moose Mug! What a wonderful Christmas memory!
Replica Moose Mugs are available in our gift shop.
“Cheers Clark!”
Who wouldn’t want to toast Eggnog with their cousin!?
A Christmas Story House & Museum welcomed its 100,000th visitor on August 27, 2009. Brunswick, Maine’s Lee Stanton won the distinction–and a leg lamp–on his stop in Cleveland to visit the House
Lee Stanton, 26-year-old physical therapist insisted on a stop to the house on his drive from Maine to compete in an Ironman competition in Louisville, Kentucky. “I have probably watched the movie 25 times since I was 10 years old; it is one of my favorites. We got lucky!” Traveling with his mother, Sally Stanton of Fair Haven, Vermont, the pair decided to stay an extra day in Cleveland just to see the movie lovers’ mecca. She said, “It couldn’t have happened to a better person. He really loves the movie!”
The Stantons took home the same “major award” as the Old Man, a leg lamp, as well as other A Christmas Story House memorabilia, including an actual piece of the house, framed along with a commemorative ticket.
Since opening, the house has hosted three weddings, one renewal of vows and two proposals. Visitors have come from all 50 states and many countries, including Germany, England, China, Switzerland, Australia, Sweden, Netherlands, Ireland, Mexico and Thailand. People from all over the country and all over the world who love the movie have been coming in record numbers to join in the fun. It’s a great honor to share out tribute to one of the most memorable movies of our time with everyone.
Lee Stanton about to enter A Christmas Story House.
Lee Stanton is presented with his “Major Award” for being the 100,000th visitor.
Stopping to savor the moment (left to right) Angela Dickerson in the Pink Bunny Suit, Honored Guest Lee Stanton, Tour Guide Michelene Hart, and Executive Director Steve Siedlecki.
Lee Stanton inside A Christmas Story House with his “Major Award” and commemorative ticket.
A Chrsitmas Story House booth at the Taste of Tremont
A Chrsitmas Story House booth at the Taste of Tremont
A Deranged Easter Bunny handing out balloons
Patty Johnson, the Evil Elf in A Christmas Story
Face Painting
Christmas Story House & Museum balloons!
Kids coloring “contest”
Kids coloring “contest”
Steve Siedlecki, Executive Director of A Christmas Story House on air with Robin Swoboda during the Christmas in July Special on That’s Life with Robin Swoboda.
A Deranged Easter Bunny!
The leg lamp ring toss becomes the Santa ring toss
Robin Swoboda interviewing Santa
All the summer Santas
Peter Billingsley, who played Ralphie in A Christmas Story and is fresh off his executvie producing role in the blockbuster Iron Man will make his first major directorial debut with a new big-screen comedy called Couples Retreat. Billingsley’s long-time friend and project collaborator, Jon Favreau wrote the script and will be starring with their other good friend, Vince Vaughn, who is the movie’s producer. The movie also star Jason Bateman and Faizon Love. Since that “defining” role in 1983, Billingsley has gone on to produce most of Favreau’s films and work as a second-unit director. He is now making his directorial debut after directing a short titled The Sacred Fire in 1994.
Couples Retreat follows four couples who go to a tropical island resort. While one couple is there to work on their marriage, the others are there to play, but they all soon discover that participation in the resort’s couples therapy is not optional. The idea for the film was originally devised by Vince Vaughn before being handed off to Jon Favreau to script. Production began in October 2008 in Bora Bora and Los Angeles.
Billingsley has collaborated with Vaughn on Four Christmases and The Break-Up, and with Favreau on Iron Man, Elf and Dinner for Five. Billingsley also worked with both Favreau and Vaughn on their 2001 film Made.
 A Christmas Story Re-Enacted by Bunnies in 30 Seconds click image to view cartoon |
The next four cartoons are the work of Dan Schoening.
The scene for Chinese Turkey at Bo’ Ling Chop Sury Palace was filmed in Toronto, Canada. It is still a restaurant but now serves French Food. The idea for the name Bo’ Ling Chop Suey Palace in which the sing clearly reads Bowling with the light for the “w” burnt out came from the real life experience of assistant director Ken Goch. When he was a child, Ken’s mother had actually mistaken a Bowling alley with a burnt out “w” for a Chinese restaurant when trying to find a place for the family to eat. Lucky for them there was a restaurant attached to the Bowling alley.
The location of the Chop Suey Palace was rediscovered by Tyler Schwartz and Jordie Smits during the filming of their documentary “Road Trip for Ralphie.”
Bo’ Ling Chop Suey Palace as it appeared in A Christmas Story in 1983.
The Chop Suey Palace as it appears today. The same distinctive front still intact.
A toast to Chinese Turkey! Though you’ll now have to settle for French Turkey.
The internal layout of the restuarant is still very similar to the movie.
Raphie’s elementary schoool, Warren G. Harding Elementary School is a real school in Hammond, Indiana. Warren G. Harding Elementary School was the childhood school of “A Christmas Story” author Jean Shepherd. However, the school used for the filming of the movie was Victoria School in St Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Victoria School closed several years ago and has since been converted to a women’s shelter. Most of the pictures below were discovered by Tyler Schwartz during the filming of Road Trip for Ralphie. The photos were taken by Anne Dean a teacher at Victoria School during the filming.
Anne Dean provide an account of the filming at Victoria School to the Lincoln County Board of Education in April 1983. Here is an excerpt from that account:
“No one could believe our school had been chosen for the site of an M.G.M. movie. What an adventure awaited us! Excitement began to build. Audition time was here. They took pictures of all the students and chose those for the classroom scenes and parents signed the contracts. Other students were told they’d be used in outdoor scenes. A group of hairdressers came in from The Career School of Hairdressing to cut the hair of the boys to fit the era. Truckloads of equipment arrived. An ordinary Science classroom underwent a miraculous transformation, travelling back through time.
Costuming 120 students proved quite a task for both the teachers and wardrobe co-ordinators alike. The coats, mittens, boots, socks, sweaters, scarves, hats, caps, vests and knickers had to be delivered to each child and then returned later to the proper place. Many of the children were given makeup and wardrobe calls as early as 7 a.m. Transports, winnebagos and trailers arrived en masse. Every parking space was occupied. Lights, cameras, scaffolds, wardrobe, sound machines and snow machines were painstakingly unloaded. What a thrill it was to see the antique roadsters, fire truck and vintage police cars. The halls were jammed with furniture, lights and then came all the people.
The weather did not co-operate and once the indoor scenes were shot, everything was packed up and off they went to the studio in Toronto. Four days later, they returned when the snow arrived and unpacked everything again to film the outdoor scenes. As shooting commenced on Sunday Feb. 6th and take after take was repeated, the glitter began to wear off. The children arrived at 7:30 am and were outside most of the day. They were released at 5:30. We soon found out that movie making was a tough business. Even after standing in the cold, the children persevered and still found show business quite appealing. Filming continued on Monday. Then they packed up and left, only to again return on Friday to re-shoot the Jungle Jim scenes with about 20 students. All trace of them was gone by Monday morning.
Working with people like Director Bob Clark gave the children of the neighbourhood a sense of the awesome magic of Hollywood. Stars like Peter Billingsley, R.D. Robb and Scotty Swartz were just like ordinary kids off the set.
Not only were the experiences worthwhile, but the school will see many future benefits from the hard work of the students involved. But far more valuable than any monetary rewards are the unforgettable memories of movie-making that we will always treasure.
What a once in a lifetime opportunity!”
Staff and Students of Victoria School, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Victoria School as it appeared in the movie. (Notice in this establishing shot taken from the movie that the flagpole is out in front of the school, just in front of the car even though the scene for the flagpole in movie takes place behind the school in the playground. Just a small blooper.)
The classroom that served as Miss Shield’s classroom was the science room at the school.
Ann Snider did the writing on the blackboard.
Antigue cars in the staff parking lot.
The Parker’s family car from the movie
Make up and hair styles. Anne Dean wore the wig up on top of the mirror.
The costume room next to Anne Dean’s classroom.
Everyone had to get a 1940’s style air cut.
Jarrod Craig and Jerry Clute getting hair cuts.
Classroom turned barber shop.
Teacher Anne Dean and her class dressed and ready for the flagpole scene.
, Owen Baggott, Anne Dean, Dora Giannarakis, Tammy Klein, Sherry Gillingwater, Jarrod Craig, Leanne Wilson, Jamie Scholler, ________. (Front) Krista Warriner, Michael Sheridan, Jerry Clute, Kenny Christie, ___________, _____________
Virginia Holmes, Grace Pomroy, Beth Pomroy, Anne Dean all in costume for the film.
The monkey bars scene preparations. Taken from the landing near the staff room, overlooking the field.
The monkey bars scene preparations.
The monkey bars scene being filmed.
The monkey bars scene preparations.
The monkey bars scene being filmed.
The flagpole scene from the classroom window.
The flagpole scene from the classroom window after the police, fire department and Miss Shields (Tedde Moore ) have arrived.
Flagpole scene close up.
Flagpole scene close up.
Flagpole scene close up.
Flick (Scott Schwartz) between takes.
Two of Anne Dean’s Students: Alex and Corey at the flagpole.
Actor’s trailers.
Schwartz (R.D. Robb) closing the door to his trailer.
The fire truck from the near by Chippawa Fire Department on set.
The Famous Flag Pole Scene
The 3 Little Stars - Flick, Ralphie and Schwartz
Gary Brown in his Feature Film Debut. Gary provided the this and the preceeding two photographs.
Victoria School as it appeared in 1983 during filming.
Victoria School as it appeared in 2006.
Victoria School as is appeared in 2008 as a women’s shelter.
My friend John (he’s the Fire Chief at the flagpole) and I were hired as
drivers for the street scene in front of Victoria school. We were all told
to vary the order of the cars each time we turned for another run by. It
made for some fancy manoeuvering at the corners!
At one point, a parked car had to be relocated. It was black and had a nice
fresh covering of snow on it; the driver was told “don’t lose the snow”. He
couldn’t use the wipers to see, nor close his door for fear of disrupting
the snowflakes. We walked alongside to hold the door open and guide him.
All communication there was by walkie-talkie; they were using three
different frequencies, and one
crewman was carrying three units. It was his job to relay messages from one
group to another.
A car that was needed in a scene for continuity went missing. Dave, the “car
boss” gave John and me the keys to his Austin Mini and told us to go looking
for “the big brown Chev and get it back here now!” We found it two blocks
away; the guy had driven away to mail a letter! The car had stalled and
wouldn’t turn over. He produced a big rope and said “it always starts on a
tow”. I looked at the Chev, which was about three times the size and weight
of the Mini, and figured we should try, considering the urgency. So, we
tied the rope onto the Mini’s bumper, not noticing the bumper was bolted to
the trunk lid which was held on by two little hinges and the latch. I eased
out the slack and took off. The Mini was wound out in first gear when Mr
Chev popped the clutch. It felt like we were yanked backwards, then with a
big bang, we shot forward! I looked in the mirror and saw the trunk lid
flying through the air and Mr Chev standing on the brake pedal trying to
stop and miss the lid coming at him! The Chev was running and back to the
school it went.
When I got back to the school, I was sent to wardrobe to dress as a
bystander for the flagpole scene. The coat they gave me had a bright pink
lining, and buttoned the wrong way- it was a woman’s! The lady said “no one
will notice”.
The red lights on the police car were truck stoplights bolted to suction
cups and stuck on the roof. The cop driving made a bunch of unsuccessful
attempts to bring the car in and stop where the director wanted it.
Finally, they put a sandbag on the road (you can see it under the front
wheel), that would stop the car at the right place. So they rolled in again
and stopped. Perfect. The cops got out, slammed the doors and the lights
fell off.
I earned about $18. from the movie.
Trivia: The Fire Chief’s hat has the letters RNFBA. This is for the Regional
Niagara Fire Buffs Association, a local benevolent group that operates an
emergency canteen service for the Fire Department.
Trivia: The tire changing scene took place in St. Catharines on Glendale
Ave adjacent to the Welland Ship Canal; you can see the lift bridge in the
background.
Regards, Bill Dwyer
“Holly”wood Christmas MovieLand - Great Northern Mall (Located about 20 minutes from A Christmas Story House just out side of Cleveland, Ohio) will be hosting Mark Klaus’ HOLLY-wood Christmas Movie Land museum in 2009! Mark is extremely excited to bring the Grinch sleigh to the center court for pictures, and to expand into an exciting location at one of our favorite Northeast Ohio malls.
“Holly”wood Christmas Movieland features original props, costumes and memorabilia from the Christmas season’s most spectacular, heartwarming, and memorable movies. Hundreds of rare behind-the-scenes photos, Christmas Toys of yesteryear, are all provided under one roof - in a collection NEVER EVER seen before by the public.
The Original Grinch Sleigh.
The Original Costume from Elf.
For more information and directions visit: www.christmasmovieland.com
Click the image of the individual documentary to learn more about it.
My Summer Story (1994) is the little know sequel to A Christmas Story. My Summer Story originally titled It Runs in the Family is another collaboration of director Bob Clark and author Jean Sheperd. While the film once again features narration by author Jean Shepherd, the cast is entirely different. The only returning cast member is Ralphie’s teacher Miss Shield (Tedde Moore).
The story takes place soon after the events of A Christmas Story, still revolving around the lives of the Parker family. But summer has arrived, and with school out for vacation, fourth-grader Ralphie (Kieran Culkin) is ready to experience another life-changing season. Throughout the summer, Ralphie prepares himself rigorously to do battle with the class bully, Scut Farkus in a game of tops. Meanwhile, the Old Man (Charles Grodin) declares war on the family’s hillbilly neighbors, The Bumpus’ and introduces Ralphie to fishing, Mom (Mary Steenburgen) falls victim to a theatre manager’s con, and little brother Randy (Christian Culkin) continues his annoying ways.
As with most sequels this one is a far cry from the original brilliance of A Christmas Story. The film has received little praise or notoriety. Jean Shepherd himself admitted - “That one was a real turkey.”
A third, made for television movie about the Parker family is called “Ollie Hopnoodle’s Haven of Bliss.” (1988) Chronicles the Paker’s summer vacation, Ralphie getting a job, and the dissappearance of the family dog.
After drink gallons of Ovaltine Ralphie finally receives his long-awaited Orphan Annie Secret Society decoder pin in the mail. After decoding his first message he finds out it’s only a crummy commercial telling him to “Be Sure To Drink Your Ovaltine.”
Not to ruin the hilarity of the scene for everyone but it wasn’t entirely accurate. Contrary to popular myth, the secret messages at the end of the Orphan Annie radio shows did not promote Ovaltine. Oh, the rest of the show certainly did. There was an Ovaltine commercial before the start of the program, and another one at the end. The virtues of Ovaltine were extolled by announcer Pierre Andre twice in each episode. But Annie’s secret messages, which appeared several times each week, were brief previews of what would happen in tomorrow’s exciting adventure. Orphan Annie was a fifteen minute juvenile serial show based on the comic strip by Harold Gray. Debuting in 1931, it was the first late-afternoon children’s serial.
At times, Pierre Andre would ramble on for up to three minutes about Ovaltine, and the latest gimmick on how to get premiums, Ovaltine-related merchandise. The episode included here is an example of how the show was used to push these and other premiums.
The show may best be remembered for its catchy opening song:
Who’s that little chatter box?
The one with pretty auburn locks?
Whom do you see?
It’s Little Orphan Annie!
She and Sandy make a pair
They never seem to have a care!
Cute little she,
It’s Little Orphan Annie
Bright eyes, cheeks a rosy glow,
There’s a store of healthiness handy.
Mite-size, always on the go,
If you want to know–”Arf,” it’s Sandy!
Always wears a sunny smile,
Now, wouldn’t it be worth the while,
If you could be
Like Little Orphan Annie
1935 pin was the first Orphan Annie decoder was introduced by Ovaltine. It was a small round pin with the year and “Radio Orphan Annie’s SS” and two crossed skeleton keys. The “SS” stood for “Secret Society.”
1936 pin was badge shaped with a secret compartment on the back. The two keys still crossed in the middle and “Radio Orphan Annie SS” was shortened to the initials “ROA SS.”
1937 was a sunburst design with the now-standard year, two keys, and “ROA SS” on it.
1938 model was known as the “Telematic” decoder pin. It featured a larger circular pin with a large star on it. The two keys, year and initials “ROA SS” remained
1939 model was known as the Mysto-Matic decoder pin. It was a plain circular decoder pin with a very large “ROA” in the center. The “SS” was removed, but “Secret Code” added. The two skeleton keys remained.
1940 model was the model feature in “A Christmas Story” This decoder had an eagle, shield and American flag on the front, with 1940, the skeleton keys and “ROA” on the back. Each was individualized with a unique serial number stamped on the back. The numbers and letters appeared on the edge of the wheel, rather than on the front or back.
Below are a couple movie reviews of A Christmas Story when it was first released in November, 1983. The movie received both positive and negative reviews at its release.
N.Y. Daily News - November 18, 1983
Negative Review by Rex Reed New York Post - November 18, 1983
N.Y. Times - November 18, 1983
Variety - November 16, 1983
Reviews courtesy of FlickLives.com
Billy Jeffrey poses in front of the Major Award Leg Lamp in A Christmas Story House. Photo Credit Eric Mull.
“A Tribute to the Original, Traditional, One-Hundred-Percent, Red-Blooded, Two-Fisted, All-American Christmas…” is now yours for the bidding. A Christmas Story House & Museum in partnership with Jimmy Malone invite the winning bidder and 3 guests to spend two days reliving their favorite moments from the cult classic A Christmas Story at the original A Christmas Story House in Cleveland, Ohio! This special once in-a-lifetime experience is being offered exclusively through this auction, with all proceeds from the charity auction going to the Cleveland Scholarship Programs. The Cleveland Scholarship Programs is Northeast Ohio’s only regional resource promoting educational awareness and opportunity to enrich our community and prepare the workforce of tomorrow. Cleveland Scholarship Programs has a vital role in transforming Northeast Ohio from a manufacturing-based to a knowledge-based economy.
Auction Sponsors
DECEMBER 21:
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Q: DO I NEED TO BE PREQUALIFIED TO BID?
A: Bidder prequalification may be necessary in order to ensure the sincerity of bids over $10,000.
Q: CAN ADDITIONAL GUESTS ATTEND PARTS OF THE EXPERIENCE?
A:
Q: WILL I NEED TO PAY TAXES ON THE HOTEL STAY?
A. No, however, a credit card will be required upon check-in. The winning bidder must sign an agreement to pay for any missing items or damage that occurs during their stay and provide a valid credit card to cover such expenses.
Q: CAN I TAKE PICTURES IN THE HOUSE?
A: Yes. The winning bidder and guests are encouraged to bring a camera to take photos in the house.
Q: IS GROUND TRANSPORTATION INCLUDED?
A. No, the winning bidder and guests must provide their own transportation to and from the airport and around town.
Q: WHAT IF I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS NOT ADDRESSED HERE?
A: Should you have any questions about this charity auction not addressed here, please contact us by using the “ask seller a question” link at the top of the page.
The specially mastered audio-enhanced Limited Edition Musical Tribute for the 25th Anniversary of Bob Clark’s “A Christmas Story” CD is now available!
This sound track produced by Carl Zittrer and Paul Zaza who composed the original score and music for A Christmas Story 25 years ago captures the spirit of the movie.
Now available in our gift shop!
The 75-minute documentary features interviews with the cast, never-before-seen on-set photos, a tour of Cleveland’s A Christmas Story House and a look at the fans and their devotion to a film that has become a part of their lives and a must-see experience at Christmas time.
Share the joy of the film, share the fun and go behind the scenes with “The Untold ‘Christmas Story.’”
Most of the original costumes from A Christmas Story still exist nearly 25 years after the movie was filmed. They were discovered in the Thunder Thighs Costumes warehouse by Tyler Schwartz and Jordie Smits while filming the documentary Road Trip for Ralphie. The costumes and script with polaroid pictures from the set were had been kept by Lynda Kemp the wardrobe supervisor for A Christmas Story. The costumes were acquired by A Christmas Story Museum in early 2008 and are currently on rotating display at he Museum. Included in the collection are the kids jackets, hats, caps and pants, the Parker’s clothes from Christmas morning, Randy’s snowsuit, the Black Bart shirts, the chinese waiter outfits, and even the costumes from the deleted Flash Gordon scene along with many others.
Below are some pictures of the costumes in the warehouse before they were brought to A Christmas Story Museum.
A Christmas Story costumes on the rack for transport to the Museum
A Christmas Story House owner Brian Jones with the costumes
A Christmas Story House Executive Director, Steven Siedlecki with the costumes
Left to Right: Steven Siedlecki, Lynda Kemp, Brian Jones, Jordie Smits
The Thunder Thighs Costumes warehouse was enormous. It took two full days to locate all the costumes.
Thunder Thighs Costumes entrance on 16 Busy Street, Toronto, ON, Canada
Lynda Kemp is listed as the “Wardrobe Supervisor” in the credits of A Christmas Story. Her’s is the third name down in the second group of names.
The perfect viewing companion to a treasured holiday classic.
Two mega-fans of A Christmas Story set out to find all of the film’s shooting locations. During an adventure spanning two years and two countries, they uncover forgotten facts, discover little-known locations and recover long-lost memorabilia.
Go On Location and Behind-the-Scenes to reveal the people and places behind the perennial holiday hit. Visit more than 15 locations in Canada and Cleveland to learn little-known details about the movie and the people who made it. Viewers of this heart-warming fan film will feel like they’re there in person, on their own Road Trip for Ralphie.
Highlights of the DVD include dozens of rare behind-the-scenes photos and trivia not seen anywhere else, all set to a bubbly holiday soundtrack.
Plus, join the filmmakers as they:
Road Trip for Ralphie now available in our gift shop!
As seen in the below excerpts from the script for A Christmas Story Ralphie’s middle name is Wesley and The Old Man’s first name is Frank. Neither name gets mentioned in the movie.
The bully in A Christmas Story was supposed to be Grover Dill not Scut Farkus. The excerpt from the script below shows that Grover Dill was supposed to be the bully and Scut Farkus, the toadie. This would have been more true to Jean Shepherd’s book In God We Trust All Others Pay Cash on which A Christmas Story is based. However, on set when A Christmas Story director, Bob Clark was presented with his Gover Dill (Yano Anaya) and Scut Farkus (Zack Ward) characters he took one look at them and made a switch. Clark said: “Okay, you get his lines and he gets yours.” And just that quickly the toadie was promoted to bully.
As with all movies there are several scenes in the script and filming that do not make it into the final cut of the movie. According to Stan Cole, editor of A Christmas Story there was pressure from the movie studio, MGM to keep the movie to around 90 minutes so that the movie could be shown every 2 hours in the theatre. Among the scenes cut were several possible opening scquences, a fantasy sequence in which Miss Sheilds visits Ralphie’s house and then Ralphie rescues Flash Gordon from Ming the Merciless on planet Mongo, and another fantasy sequence in which Ralphie rescues Santa from Black Bart and his men. Interestingly enough Flash Gordon and Ming the Merciless still made it into the credits for the movie. The costumes, skectches and pictures from this scene are part of the collection at A Christmas Story Museum. Unfortunatley none of the film footage of the scenes survived.
Excerpts from the movie script below detail the deleted scenes.
The Leg Lamp from A Christmas Story is one of the most iconic and recognizable movie props of all time. Replicas of the leg lamp have become prized “Major Awards” for fans everywhere. A Christmas Storyauthor, Jean Shepherd was inspired to create the leg lamp after seeing an illuminated Nehi Soda advertisement. The design of the leg lamp for A Christmas Story is the work of production designer Reuben Freed. Unsure of exactly what a leg lamp was or should look like Freed presented a couple sketches to Shepherd who said, “Yep, that’s it!” Freed then produced three leg lamps for the movie and went through several shade styles before settling on the large golden bell shade with black fringe seen in the movie. None of the three original leg lamps survived the production of the movie. All three props were broken on set during the filming. If you look closely during the scene (pictures below) in which Ralphie’s Mom breaks the leg lamp you will notice that the leg lamp is broken in two different ways.
“FRAGILE (FRA-GEE_LAY) it must be Italian!”
“It’s a Major Award!”
“It’s a lamp! What a great lamp!
“It’s indescribably beautiful!”
“The soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window.”
“It reminds me of the Fourth of July!”
“You should see what it looks like from out here!”
“Not a finga!” Notice the “blooper” in the two photos above. The leg lamp is broken in a different manner in each picture. The leg lamp is broken in “chunks” in the first and lengthwise in the second. All three leg lamps made for the production of A Christmas Story were broken on set.
“The sound of Taps playing softly”
The Leg Lamp shining once again in the window of A Christmas Story House!
The “Soft Glow of Electric Sex” in A Christmas Story House Living room!
Nehi Beverages sign that inspired the leg lamp.
A Christmas Story window displays first featured at Macy’s New York in 2003 have found a permanent home in Hammond, Indiana at the Lake County Visitors Center. The Visitors Center is located at 7770 Corinne Drive, Hammond, Indiana. The displays will open to the public beginning November 28, 2008. Hammond, Indiana is the boyhood town of A Christmas Story author, Jean Shepherd. A Christmas Story is based on Shepherd’s memories of growning up in Hammond. In the movie Hammond is referred to by the fictional name of Hohman.
Pictures of the window displays are courtesy of Flicklives.com.
More window display images available at Flicklives.com
That is right! Everyone’s favorite movie is now Broadway bound musical!
Producers Gerald Goehring and Michael Jenkins have partnered with the Kansas City Repertory Theatre for the in 2009 World Premiere Pre-Broadway run of A Christmas Story, The Musical!
For more information about the musical and its upcoming 2010 season visit: www.AChristmasStorytheMusical.com
You can also read more the production of the Mucical in this article on Playbill.com
Now available in the DVD Section of our Gift Shop
Every year, over 40 million people tune in to watch the holiday classic film A Christmas Story which has become more than just tradition, it’s part of American culture. ClarkWORLD is an inside look into the life, works and tragic death of famed film Director, Bob Clark, the revered storyteller who brought us A Christmas Story along with some of the greatest movies ever made… but also some of the worst.
Official Wedding Photographer of A Christmas Story House
(216) 798-4672
The Wedding of Robyn and Michael of Maryland in A Christmas Story House on Saturday, June 14, 2008
The first Christmas Story House Wedding, Saturday, December 2, 2007
Erin Reed and Jeff Dubois from Fort Wayne, Indiana
In Cleveland, it’s summer, but at A Christmas Story House & Museum, it’s always Christmas! We will be celebrating Christmas in July on Saturday and Sunday, July 25th and 26th . There will be free fun for the kids, a sneak peek at a new Ralphie display, Leg Lamp and table games, and even a bb-gun range in the same place Ralphie first shot his Red Ryder!
To top it all off there will be a Sidewalk Sale every Saturday in July (weather permitting). Great saving on sweatshirts, movie still, ornaments and more.
After the fun and games visit one of the several local restaurants that will offering discounts throughout July when you show your A Christmas Story House ticket stub.
Guests will get a sneak peek at the “Ralphie Collection.” A new exhibit that will open Nov. 27, 2009. This exhibit will include numerous outfits worn by Ralphie, including his Blind Scene jacket and other outfits worn to school.
The kids fun never ends with face painting, balloons, coloring contest with prizes and more! Also meet Patty Johnson, the surly elf from the Santa scene! And maybe even an appearance by a “Deranged” Easter Bunny!
We will be hosting a food drive to benefit the St. Augustine’s Hunger Center. Receive $1 off admission for every non-perishable food item you bring, up to $3 per person. Enjoy Christmas in July while at the same time helping those in need.
Win prizes and enter to win a Leg Lamp prize pack in the following family fun games:
Leg Lamp Ring Toss
Leg Lamp Putt Putt
Leg Lamp Ping-Pong Ball Toss
Challenge a friend to your favorite board games with A Christmas Story twist!
Trivia Board game
Monopoly
Checkers
Dominoes
Test your aim to see if you could defeat Black Bart shooting a bb-gun in the exact same place as Ralphie.
But, don’t “shoot your eye out!”
Come enjoy all that Ralphie’s neighborhood of Tremont has to offer as we join our neighbors in The Taste of Tremont. Come visit the House, and then enjoy fine dining and shopping in Tremont.
Bring your Christmas Story House ticket stub to any of the business below and receive the listed discount:
Grumpy’s Cafe - 1/2 price appetizers with DINNER purchase (Mon-Sat)
Flying Monkey - 10% total bill
Roosevelt Post 58 - Free day pass and 1 non-alcoholic drink
Cookie and a Cupcake - Purchase 5 cupcake get 1 free
A Christmas Story House, now restored to its movie splendor, is open year round to the public for tours. Directly across the street from the house is the official A Christmas Story House Museum, which features original props, costumes and memorabilia from the film, as well as hundreds of rare behind-the-scenes photos. Among the props and costumes are the toys from the Higbee’s window, Randy’s snowsuit and zeppelin, the chalkboard from Miss Shields’ classroom and the family car. After reliving A Christmas Story at Ralphie’s house don’t forget to visit the museum gift shop for your own Major Award Leg Lamp and other great movie memorabilia. You can even shop through our online gift shop here. Proceeds from the gift shop help support and maintain A Christmas Story House and Museum.
Information: (216) 298-4919 or info@achristmasstoryhouse.com
For a more information watch the video below about A Christmas Story House and Museum from InsiderPerks.com
Video Courtesy of Insider Perks.
View other Cleveland tourism videos at InsiderPerks.com
A Christmas Story cast reunion around the leg lamp in A Christmas Story House living room at the Grand Opening. From left to right Zack Ward (Scut Farkus), Yano Anaya (Grover Dill), Tedde Moore (Miss Shields), Ian Petrella (Randy), Scott Schwartz (Flick), Patty Lafontaine (Elf) and Drew Hocevear (Elf).
A Christmas Story Re-Enacted by Bunnies in 30 Seconds click image to view cartoon |
Below are pre and post renovation pictures of A Christmas Story House. To see the pictures of the renovation process please visit our renovation log
The old mailbox is still there.
A light dusting of snow in early winter
Snow falling just like the end of A Christmas Story
Below are pictures of the house before it was renovated back to its Movie Glory.
Note the gray siding and replacement windows
The old shed had fallen to disrepair
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Offered on eBay - December 2004 Buy this house and re-live Ralphies adventures in the original house from the movie “A Christmas Story”. The # 1 Christmas movie of all time. Still attracts hundreds of people from all over who are interested in seeing this historic Christmas icon. The original shed from the movie still stands in the back yard, and will bring back childhood memories. The home has been vinyl sided, re-roofed and new windows since the release of the movie. Backyard view overlooks Cleveland Ohio. |
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Movie Screen Shots of the House
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Offered on eBay - December 2004 Buy this house and re-live Ralphies adventures in the original house from the movie “A Christmas Story”. The # 1 Christmas movie of all time. Still attracts hundreds of people from all over who are interested in seeing this historic Christmas icon. The original shed from the movie still stands in the back yard, and will bring back childhood memories. The home has been vinyl sided, re-roofed and new windows since the release of the movie. Backyard view overlooks Cleveland Ohio. |
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Director Bob Clark (above right) played a cameo role as the dim witted neighbor Swede who inquires about the Old Man’s (Darren McGavin) “Major Award”
-Biography: August 05, 1941 - April 04, 2007 -New Orleans, LA. Bejamin “Bob” Clark began making independent low-budget features as a writer/director with the transvestite comedy The She Man in 1967, and is fondly remembered for his horror films of the early ’70s, made with writer/actor Alan Ormsby: Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things and Deathdream. Clark also won admiration for his Sherlock Holmes film Murder By Decree, scripted by John Hopkins.
Clark then branched out as a competent helmer of a wide variety of genres, mostly from his own original stories. His films include the atmospheric, imaginative period thriller, “Murder By Decree” (1979), in which Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson solve the mystery of Jack the Ripper, the film version of the sentimental father-son stage drama “Tribute” (1980) and the semi-autobiographical, smarmy but high grossing hit comedies, “Porky’s” (1981) and “Porky’s II–The Next Day” (1983). Clark is perhaps best-known for the now classic holiday-themed “A Christmas Story” (1983).
Bob Clark was killed along with his son, Ariel Hanrath-Clark, in a head-on crash with a vehicle that steered into the wrong lane. The driver fo the other car was found guilty of driving without a license while intoxicated.
A Christmas Story author Jean Shepherd (above left) played a cameo role as the angery gentleman who tells Ralphie “The line ends here! It begins there!”
-Biography: July 26, 1921 - October 16, 1999 - South Chicago, IL. Raised in Hammond Indiana, Jean Shepherd also known simply as Shep went on to work in the steel mills and was a veteran of the Army Signal Corps before entering the arts. In the 1950s, he began a long career as a radio personality telling stories of his youth, commenting on current topics and performing silly songs. While at WOR-AM in New York he also broadcast live night club acts from the Limelight in Greenwich Village. He wrote for Playboy and other magazines. His articles were published in a series of books including “The America of George Ade”, “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash”, “Wanda Hickey’s Night of Golden Memories, and Other Disasters”, “A Fistful of Fig Newtons” and “The Ferrari in the Bedroom”. During the 1970s he did two series of humorous programs as well as several “American Playhouse” episodes for PBS. In 1983 he wrote his first feature film, “A Christmas Story” putting together many tales of his semi-autobiographical character “Ralphie”. A sequel, “My Summer Story” (AKA “It Runs in the Family”) was made in 1994. To find out more about Jean Shepherd visit FlickLives.com
-Biography: April 16, 1971 - New York, NY. Prior to “A Christmas Story,” Peter Billingsley, who played Ralphie, gained fame as a correspondent for the variety show “Real People.” He also played Messy Marvin in Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup commercials. After a waining child acting career Peter made the move behind the camera and is now a producer often working with his close friends Vince Vaugh and John Favreau. His recent credits as a producer include: Iron Man and The Break Up. He often appears in cameo roles in the movies he produces. He directed his first movie Couples Retreat in 2008.
Peter tells how he met long time friend Vince Vaughn. The two have collaborated on a number of Hollywood projects since meeting on the set of an after school special titled “The Fourth Man”
Peter Billingsley pre-Ralphie as Messy Marvin
-Biography: May 7, 1922 - February 25, 2006 - San Joaquin, CA. Darren McGavin who’s birth name was William Lyle Richardson was a remarkably seasoned actor of stage, screen and television, Darren McGavin notched in excess of 200 performances; however, he is most fondly remembered by cult TV fans as heroic newspaper reporter Carl Kolchak in the classic but short-lived horror TV series “Kolchak: The Night Stalker” (1974). In a long and varied career, McGavin has often turned up as authority figures including policemen, military officers, stern-faced business executives or father figures; however, he is equally adept at light-hearted comedic performances. He was the second choice to play The Old Man in “A Christmas Story” behind Jack Nicholson. According to IMDB.com McGavin’s salary for the role was $2,000,000.
| Melinda Dillon … Darren McGavin … Peter Billingsley … Ian Petrella … Scott Schwartz … R.D. Robb … Tedde Moore … Yano Anaya … Zack Ward … Jeff Gillen … Colin Fox … Paul Hubbard … Leslie Carlson … Jim Hunter … Patty Johnson … Drew Hocevar … David Svoboda … Dwayne McLean … Helen E. Kaider … John Wong … Johan Wong … Fred Lee … Dan Ma … Rocco Bellusci … Tommy Wallace … Jean Shepherd … Bob Clark … Bill Kravitz … Jordan-Patrick Marcantonio … Christine Powrie … |
Mrs. Parker Mr. Parker Ralphie Parker Randy Parker Flick Schwartz Miss Shields Grover Dill Scut Farkus Santa Claus Ming the Merciless Flash Gordon Tree Man (as Les Carlson) Freight Man Head Elf Male Elf Goggles Black Bart Wicked Witch Chop Suey Palace Owner Waiter #1 Waiter #2 Waiter #3 Street Kid Boy in School Narrator, Man in Line for Santa, Voice of Santa Swede (uncredited) Billy (uncredited) Boy Visiting Santa (uncredited) Screaming Girl On Slide After Ralphie (uncredited) |
interview by Wayne Chinsang
YOU MIGHT NOT REMEMBER PETER BILLINGSLEY AS THE TWO-YEAR-OLD PROP IN THAT GERITOL COMMERCIAL FROM THE SEVENTIES. BUT YOU PROBABLY DO REMEMBER HIM AS “RALPHIE” FROM A CHRISTMAS STORY. READ ON TO FIND OUT JUST HOW MUCH OUR LITTLE PETER HAS GROWNS UP, AND GROWNS UP, AND GROWNS UP.
Peter: I guess sort of by luck. I grew up in New York City, and people used to tell my mom that my brother and I were cute, and that we should be in commercials. My mom didn’t know much about it, but she took us to an agent with aspirations of maybe getting a print ad in The Times in our little sailor suits or something. One agent said we were too fat, another agent said we were too ugly. (laughs) She was kind of beaten up from the business after a couple of meetings. But the third agent said, “Yeah, they’ll work.” So I went on an audition for Geritol, and I got it. I was two-and-a-half years old. Betty Buckley played the mom, and there were some other kids, but I was basically a prop. And she said something like, “With kids like these you take Geritol twice a day.” It just snowballed from there.
W: I was going to ask how a kid–
P: Was using Geritol?
W: Yeah. (laughs)
P: Yeah. They were just popping me full of pills. (laughs) I was blessed because I didn’t have the child star syndrome family that you hear a lot about. It was always just something that was to be done for fun. If anything, my family was trying to stop and make sure that I was comfortable doing it. And I was.
W: That was part of my next question. There seems to be so much talk of child actors being thrown into the “harsh world” of Hollywood. Do you think it’s that dramatic?
P: I think it was a different time for me back then. The amount of available money wasn’t as great. Now, kids are making adult salaries. Before, there were kid salaries and adult salaries. So I think it’s encouraging parents more and more to see there’s some financial benefit that they can make off of their kids. But also, the regulations have improved. But I was really lucky. I don’t have an E! True Hollywood Story. (laughs) Some woman from E! came up to me in a bar one time and said, “Oh, we should do one.” And I said, “I don’t think it will get good ratings.” There’s nothing to talk about. You know: “Peter grew up in a loving family in Phoenix.”
W: (laughs) “He did not smoke crack or star in porn.”
P: (laughs) “He tried a cigarette once. We’ll be right back.” There’s really nothing there.
W: You hear a lot, especially earlier on and with child actors, about how people sign their royalty rights away because it wasn’t something anybody considered. Were you fortunate enough to not sign away your royalties?
P: Yeah. As far as I understand it, it was all done through the Union through SAG, so it was whatever the contracts were at the time. The unfortunate thing is that with movies like A Christmas Story, made in ‘83, cable was something that only a couple of lucky people had. No one really knew what it was. So, they had to find a royalty based for cable back then, and it’s really worth nothing, and of course TNT plays it a lot. But, it’s certainly not about that. I’m just thrilled to have been a part of a movie that goes on and on. I mean, Jesus, it plays 24 straight hours. That’s pretty awesome.
W: I was wondering about that. There’s so many things that people associate with the holidays. They watch certain things, or they do certain things. And A Christmas Story is a big part of many other people’s holidays. What is something that is a big part of your holiday?
P: Trying to avoid watching A Christmas Story. (laughs) Sometimes I go back and my parents will still put it on. My family is all spread out so, like a lot of families, we just try our best to get together at Christmas time. Every other holiday and birthdays fall by the wayside, but Christmas is one time we all try to meet up. We’re just spread out everywhere. I’m on the West Coast, I have family in Philly, Florida and New York. And I’ve got a brother in Turkey.
W: Yeah. I read an interview E! did with you, and you were in Turkey while you were doing the interview.
P: Really?
W: I’m pretty sure. I remember thinking it was bizarre you were in Turkey. Maybe they made it up.
P: Well, I was in Romania once, and I saw a TV movie that I had done; it was one of the last things I had done acting. I was about 21 at the time. But it was dubbed in Turkish, and I had the voice of a 55-year-old guy. (laughs) I had a really deep voice.
W: One of the most timeless qualities about A Christmas Story is that Jean Shepherd’s writing is so universal. I know you said you try and avoid watching it, but how does the film hold up for you?
P: I say that I avoid it really only as a joke. I’m at the point where I can appreciate it now. It’s just that, when you’re so close to something, and you’ve got so many memories associated with it, it’s hard to be objective when watching it. But I’m actually at a point when I can watch it, and it does hold up. He (Shepherd) just seemed to have a knack, and everyone,.. (pauses) I think the movie speaks for itself. So it’s a bit difficult to articulate why the movie works. Jean just really had a way of capturing the world through a child’s eyes, and creating a family life that everyone can relate to. He was a great guy.
W: There has always been a lot of comparisons between A Christmas Story and The Wonder Years.
P: Yeah. The similarities are pretty obvious, I guess. Hats off to ‘em. They were smart enough to be inspired by the film and to make a really successful TV show about it. It was neat to watch.
W: The interview that I read on E!–
P: I don’t know what this interview on E! is.
W: I can send you the link.
P: They cannot be trusted. (laughs)
W: (laughs) But the funny part about the interview is that it is with “The Christmas Story Kid”, not Peter Billingsley. Does it ever get frustrating being “The Christmas Story Kid”?
P: (laughs) Yeah. But thank God it’s not like, “Oh. You’re Mikey from Life.” At least it’s a great film. It’s kind of something I want to be known for. Being associated with it is a really positive thing.
W: It’s cool to hear that you enjoy being a part of it, because so often you hear people that are like, “That was forever ago, and I don’t want to have anything to do with it now.”
P: I think your life takes you where you lead it. And, in time, people will get to know you. And I prefer to move more organically toward the things I’m doing next. As I became a teenager, I wasn’t going to rip off my glasses, spike my hair, and say, “Oh. I’m a young adult.” I was still blind; I still wore my hair down. It was just a lot easier to be myself through the phases of life than to try and do something fake. My family life was a blessing. With the kids I was working with at the time, really the big difference was the family. We were raised in Phoenix, I had a lot of brothers and sisters, and acting was something that was a privilege and a joy to be a part of. And if it wasn’t fun, then it was just going to stop.
W: That’s a great way to look at it. I just interviewed James Gunn, and we talked about how so many people just bitch about working in Hollywood. And he said they should just get a different job.
P: It’s a pretty awesome business to be involved in when you break it down. I mean, what we’re actually doing for a living is pretty incredible.
W: The freedom has to be amazing.
P: It’s great. But you’re also in that a little bit, aren’t you? I imagine you can budget your schedule, and you get to call up cool people and ask them funky questions.
W: (laughs) Yeah.
P: Try and rattle their cages a little bit. (laughs)
W: A bit. (laughs) So, has there been any talk of a sequel?
P: There was one.
W: You mean the one where no one from the original returns?
P: Yeah. With Mary Steenburgen and Kieran Culkin. Did you see it?
W: No. But I’m talking a sequel with the original cast, where the kids are all grown up.
P: Well, A Christmas Story is a short story in Jean’s anthology. There was some talk about it. But Jean’s gone now, and I don’t know,.. you know, the idea certainly entered my head. But I don’t know how you approach it without him. Without the voice and without his vision behind it, it would be hard.
W: Good point. So, my father loves the movie. He got me hooked on it as a kid, and he wants me to ask you who got to keep the leg lamp?
read the rest of the interview here …
Chinese Turkey Dinner with the actors fron A Christmas Story
The line just before the opening of the convention 
Deren Abram filming for a documentary of Director Bob Clark
The unveiling of the chalk board from Miss Shields’ class room
Character look-a-like contest
Brian Jones with the ClarkWORLD film crew
Cindy, Brian, and Wayne Jones at the conclusion of the convention
THE MAKING OF A MUSEUM:
Renovation Log #6: October 16, 2006
The house is nearly complete!!! With exception to some touch up painting the outside of the house is just about complete. The “X” railing has been installed on the porch, and the new lattice work has been put on also. The side staircase is in place and is awaiting a paint job. On the inside, final touches are being put on the staircase and the spindles are being painted. The sink has been installed in the kitchen along with the checkered tile, and the wood paneling has been painted. As the final couple weeks of renovation come to a close, the second floor bathing will be getting tiled and a donated claw foot tub will be installed. House will then get a complete cleaning from top to bottom and the floors will then get one final coating.
Renovation Log #5: September 1, 2006
All new siding has been put up and painting has begun. The first coat of paint has been applied to the outside and the inside. Some green trim work has also begun on the outside. Work on the structure of the porch has also been started. The porch had to be jacked up a few inches. The original pillars have been removed and new ones will replace those. The porch itself is also starting to get its makeover. Parts on the porch have been torn out and soon will be replaced with all new wood. Work will continue on the porch and the siding in the next few weeks in order to complete its look.
The hardwood floors have been put in, sanded and stained. The temporary staircase has been removed and the permanent one has replaced it. Still to come for the inside, will be more painting, the trim will be installed and painted also. More work will also be continuing on the staircase.
Renovation Log #4: August 8, 2006
Work has been moving along smoothly over the past couple months, mostly center around the interior walls. Drywall has now been put up in replace of the plaster walls that were taken down in order go get new wiring and plumbing in the house. The house also recieved new modern insulation. The drywall marks the completion of the interior rough woork. The next step will be to sand the walls down, and get them primed for painting. Once the painting is complete flooring on both stories is will be installed.
Turning to the outside, all the new windows have been put in and framing around the windows is being worked on. The next step for the outside is to start on the new siding.
Renovation Log #3: May 22, 2006
Spring is in full swing in the Cleveland area. So with the nice weather work has shifted to the outside of the house. The once blue vinyl sided house is now cover it a house wrap. The original wood siding still visible is some parts of the house has been taken off and will be replaced with new wood siding. The porch is starting to get its make over also. The once solid vinyl railings have been removed and soon the “X” frame railing that were there in the movie will be going in.
Now although most of the work has shifted to the outside the inside is not being ignored. The new wiring, plumbing and duct work is almost at completion and the newly installed staircase is coming along nicely. There are just a few things that still need to be done on the inside, when those things are done new walls will be going up.
Renovation Log #2: February 9,2006
One full dumpster has been removed and a second dump truck of debris has also been taken away. Some more walls have cam down and a new bathroom entrance has been added. Two support beams have been added for the ceiling, so now the staircase can be started. The framework for the staircase has been started and the floor on the second story has been added for the top of the staircase.
Renovation Log #1: January 30, 2006
Renovation has started on the house. The dumpster arrived and it did not take long to fill it up. Walls have been removed and a hole cut into the ceiling for the staircase. Once the structure is secured they will proceed with the staircase.
The Fire Truck that arrived to rescue Flick from the flag pole is owned and opertated by the Chippawa Volunteer Fire Fighters’ Association in Niagara Falls, Canada. The Fire Truck, a 1938 Ford La-France is still in working order. The fire truck was rediscovered by Tyler Schwartz and Jordie Smits while filming their documentary Road Trip for Ralphie.
The fire truck is available for public viewing every Sunday 9 AM to 12 PM at Chippawa Volunteer Fire Fighters’ Association located at 8696 Banting Ave Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Click here to read a news story about the history of the fire truck.
The Fire Truck on set at Victoria School in 1983.
Rides in Original Fire Truck at A Christmas Story House, November 2008.
Cleveland Visitors Guide:
www.positivelycleveland.com
Big Fun Toy Store:
www.bigfunbigfun.com
Hollywood Christmas Movieland
www.christmasmovieland.com
Renaissance Cleveland Hotel:
www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/clebr-renaissance-cleveland-hotel
Tremont Neighborhood - A Christmas Story House Neighborhood:
www.restoretremont.com
Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame:
www.rockhall.com
b.a. Sweetie Candy Company (Largest Candy Store in the USA!)
http://www.sweetiescandy.com
Cleveland Weather:
www.weather.com/weather/local/USOH0195
Cleveland Airport:
www.clevelandairport.com
DarrenMcGavin.net (Ralphie’s Old Man)
Scott Schwartz (Flick) MySpace
Zack Ward (Scut Farkus) MySpace
Zack Ward (Scut Farkus) Website
AuthenticHistory.com (Plays Actual episode including crummy commercials)
The movie A Christmas Story is arguably one of America’s favorite holiday films. Over the years, this modest little movie has grown into a Yuletide perennial.
The movie “A Christmas Story” might never have been made had it not been for another, decidedly less reputable comedic creature - “Porky’s.” That’s right. One of the most beloved holiday movies largely owes its existence to an infamous, unabashedly crude teen comedy.
In the late 1960s, “A Christmas Story” director Bob Clark was driving to a date’s house when he happened upon a broadcast of radio personality and writer Jean Shepherd’s recollections of growing up in Indiana in the late ’30s and early ’40s. Clark wound up driving around the block for almost an hour, glued to the radio until the program was over.
“My date was not happy,” Clark said, but he knew right away he wanted to make a movie out of the stories, many of which first appeared in Playboy magazine and were collected in Shepherd’s 1966 book, “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash.”
Clark’s adaptation, however, didn’t happen overnight. At the time, he was a journeyman director who specialized in low-budget B movies. For years Clark tried to find a studio to finance the film. But none were interested. Nevertheless, Clark held on to his ambition to bring Shepherd’s stories to the screen, and, in 1981, he directed Porky’s. Which became a hit at the box office. Suddenly he had some clout the bargain with. In the wake of that hit the studio want a sequel to Porky’s. Clark agreed to make a sequel if the studio agreed to let him do “A Christmas Story” first.
The modestly budgeted little comedy opened in 1983 the week before Thanksgiving on fewer than 900 screens. The film took in about $2 million its first weekend and double that Thanksgiving weekend – solid business for the time. The movie was getting strong word-of-mouth support. But, MGM hadn’t counted on the movie receiving much success and did not schedule distribution to more than the opening screens for the lead up to Christmas.
Thus A Christmas Story disappeared from theatres. Abruptly elbowed into the theatrical void by the bigger seasonal studio movies of the day, most notably Scarface and Christine. Ultimately, A Christmas Story collected about $19 million at the box office. It was a good showing, but not great.
At the same time, however, home video and cable television were just beginning to grow in popularity, and A Christmas Story crept into the mainstream through videotape and cable broadcasts. The rights to the movie were sold in 1986 to Warner Bros. by MGM as part of a 50-movie package deal. In fact, MGM practically gave the movie way when it tossed A Christmas Story into the deal in order to simply meet the 50-movie quota agreed to. The cable network TNT first aired its 12 showing, 24-hour marathon as a stunt in 1988, but popular demand turned stunt into tradition. The annual marathon (now aired on TBS) starts every Christmas Eve and attracts more that 40 million people who tune in at some point to watch. A Christmas Story is now one of the most popular holiday movies of all time earning a place along side “It’s A Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34th Street.”
Jean Shepherd’s book “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash”, which “A Christmas Story” is based on, is a collection of semi-autobiographical short stories that Shepherd wrote for “Playboy” magazine during the 1960s.
The character Scut Farkus, played by Zack Ward, was created specifically for the movie, and never appears in the book. In the book, Grover Dill is the only bully who torments Ralphie. The setting for the movie was based on Hammond, Indiana the home town of author Jean Sheperd. Sheperd grew up on Cleveland St and went to Warren G. Harding Elementary School. Just like Ralphie.
The movie was actually filmed in Cleveland, Ohio and Toronto, Ontario. The house from the movie is located just outside of downtown Cleveland and the Higbee building still stands in downtown Cleveland. The Christmas tree shopping scene and many of the inside shots of the house, were filmed in Toronto, Ontario . One of Toronto’s trademark red trolleys can be seen driving by the shot of the outside of the tree lot. Ralphie’s school exteriors were filmed at Victoria School in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
To find an American city resembling an Indiana town of the 1940s, director Clark sent his location scouts to twenty cities before selecting Cleveland, Ohio, as the site for filming. The decision to film in Cleveland was due to the willing of Higbee’s (an actual department store) to allow the movie to be filmed inside the store.
In addition to providing the voice-over narration, writer Jean Shepherd had a cameo appearance in the movie as a grouchy department store customer who tells Ralphie to go to the back of the Santa line.
Director Bob Clark has a brief cameo appearance as Swede, the Parker family’s the dim-witted neighbor with a southern-accent who stops to marvel at the leg lamp from across the street.
The role of Mr. Parker, Ralphie’s father, was originally offered to Jack Nicholson, who reportedly was interested in playing the part. Director Clark, however, lobbied hard for Darren McGavin. The producers, worried about Nicholson’s typically large salary requests, eventually approved McGavin.
Yano Anaya, who played Grover Dill (the toadie), appeared in only two other films but is probably best known as the evil paperboy with the war cry, “Two dollars!” in the 1985 John Cusack comedy, “Better off Dead.”
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.
Author Jean Shepherd’s concept for the “major award” leg lamp was based on a real lamp: an illuminated Nehi logo. The style of the leg lamp for A Christmas Story was created by production designer Reuben Freed who had never before seen or heard of a leg lamp. Three leg lamps were made for the movie and all were broken on set during the filming.
The Radio Orphan Annie decoder pin that Ralphie receives is the 1940 “Speedomatic” model, indicating that the movie takes place in December, 1940. Different decoder badges were made each year from 1935-1940. By 1941, the decoders were made of paper due to World War II metal shortages.
Some of the “snow” used during the scenes between the kids and the bullies was actually soap flakes and fire fighters foam. The stars later remarked that they were slipping and sliding during the filming of the scenes.
An elaborate fantasy sequence - in which Ralphie joins Flash Gordon to fight Ming the Merciless - was filmed but dropped from the final cut. Picture of this scene and the costumes used in it are on display at A Christmas Story House and Museum.
A Second fantasy sequence involving Blark Barts men was cut the film in favor of the back yard fantasy sequence. The delete sequence involved Ralphie rescuing Santa from Black Bart’s men while Santa is stuck in a chimney. Little brother Randy (in disguise) played one of Black Bart’s men in the scene. His costume from the scene is on display at A Christmas Story House and Museum.
The film was released just before Thanksgiving and became a surprise hit. By the time Christmas rolled around, the movie had already been pulled from most theaters because it had been “played out”. After complaints were lodged at the theater owners and the studio, the film played on select screens until after the first of the year 1984.
A Christmas Story” Inspired the creation of “The Wonder Year” television show.
Prior to “A Christmas Story,” Peter Billingsley, who played Ralphie, gained fame as a correspondent for the variety show “Real People.” He also played Messy Marvin in Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup commercials. Peter is now a producer often working with his close friends with Vince Vaugh and John Favreau. His credits as a producer include: Iron Man and The Break Up. He often appears in cameo roles in the movies he produces.
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A Christmas Story
-Plot: Set during a snowy Christmas season in 1940’s Indiana, nine-year-old Ralphie longs for the ideal Christmas gift, a 200-Shot, Range-Model Air Rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time.” But when gruff dad and doting mom, and even a stressed-out Santa quote the usual BB gun warning, “You’ll shoot your eye out!” Ralphie mounts a full-scale, hint dropping campaign that is a sly combination of innocence and calculation. The movie is not only about Christmas and BB guns, but also about childhood and a semi-dysfunctional family life.
Ralphie endures endless kid-sized trials and classic moments: A bully with “yellow eyes” and a rancid coonskin cap terrorizes him. There is a sequence where a kid is not merely dared but Triple-Dog-Dared to stick his tongue onto a frozen lamp post, and the fire department has to be called to remove him from the pole. Ralphie’s Old Man winning the “Major Award” of a garish lamp in the shape of a woman’s leg. Ralphie blurts out the Queen Mother of swear words and gets his mouth washed out with Lifebuoy soap. His long-awaited Little Orphan Annie Secret Society Decoder Pin translates a radio program’s top-secret message that turns out to be a crummy commercial. Even Santa is a scary fraud. But Ralphie hangs tough and ends up getting his BB gun.
-Tag Line: A Tribute to the Original, Traditional, One-Hundred-Percent, Red-Blooded, Two-Fisted, All-American Christmas…
Peace. Harmony. Comfort and Joy… Maybe Next Year.
-Run Time: 94 min
-Release Date: Friday, November 18,1983
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Proudly serving Chinese Turkey
Just a short drive from A Christmas Story House
(See map and directions below)
Click on the Leg Lamp to enter Gift Shop
Please note that many of the promotions and sales on our website are online only and may not be available in our physical gift shop. Prices and availablity may vary.
Physical Address of A Christmas Story House:
3159 W 11th St
Cleveland, OH 44109
Museum and Mailing Address:
A Christmas Story House
1103 Rowley Ave
Cleveland, OH 44109
Phone:
216-298-4919
Fax:
440-777-2430
E-mail:
For general information:
info@achristmasstoryhouse.com
For sales:
sales@achristmasstoryhouse.com
For web page questions:
webmaster@achristmasstoryhouse.com
Media Contact:
Angela Dickerson
(216) 255-6651 ext 2
adickerson@achristmasstoryhouse.com
Maps and Directions
3159 W 11th St.
Cleveland, OH 44109
(216) 298-4919
Directions to “A Christmas Story” House
Via 80 (Ohio Turnpike):
Take 80 West to I-71 North. Exit at the W.14th exit. Follow the signs for 14th north around the traffic circle, then turn right onto Rowley Ave.
Via 480:
Take 480 West to 176 North. Exit at the W.14th exit. Follow the signs for 14th north around the traffic circle, then turn right onto Rowley Ave.
Via 90:
Take 90 West to the W.14th exit. Head South on W.14th, turn left onto Clark Ave. and Right onto W 11th.
From the West:
Via 80 (Ohio Turnpike)
Take 80 East to I-71 North. Exit at the W.14th exit. Follow the signs for 14th north around the traffic circle, then turn right onto Rowley Ave.
Via 480:
Take 480 East to I-71 North. Exit at the W.14th exit. Follow the signs for 14th north around the traffic circle, then turn right onto Rowley Ave.
Via 90:
Take 90 East exit at the W.25th exit. Turn Right onto W.25th, left onto Clark Ave. then right onto W. 11th.
From the south.
Via I-71:
Take I-71 North. Exit at the W.14th exit. Follow the signs for 14th north around the traffic circle, then turn right onto Rowley Ave.
Via 77:
Take 77 North to 90 West. Exit at the W.14th exit. Head South on W.14th, turn left onto Clark Ave. and Right onto W 11th.
From Downtown Cleveland:
Take 90 West to the W.14th exit. Head South on W.14th, turn left onto Clark Ave. and Right onto W 11th.
Adults: $8.00
Children 7 to 12: $6.00
(Children 6 & under: FREE)
Seniors: $7.00
Admissions information: (216) 298-4919 or info@achristmasstoryhouse.com
Tickets include access to both A Christmas Story House and the accompanying museum.
Tickets can be purchased at the museum gift shop or in advance in our online gift shop.
The museum and gift shop are both located across the street from A Christmas Story House. The museum is directly accross the street and the gift shop is in a seperate house (white with black trim) to the left of the museum.
Group tours and rates are available.
Call for information.
“A Christmas Story” House and Museum is open year around.
Our hours of operation are:
“A Christmas Story” House, Museum and Gift shop are closed, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day, and all other Major Holidays.
Tours run every half hour with the last tour at 4:30pm.
Tickets must be purchased prior to the last tour.
Tickets can be purchased at our gift shop located diagonally across the street from the house.
Beginning November 24 through December 29 we will be open on Wednesdays 10am to 5pm.
We will be open daily December 15 through December 30 except for Christmas Day.
We will also have extended hours on Friday and Saturdays until 7pm through out December.
We will close early Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve at 2pm.
We will be closed New Year’s Day
Street parking is available at no charge.
Lolly Trolley rides from downtown to A Christmas Story House are available on a seasonal basis.
Check the Lolly Trolley web site www.lollytrolley.com for details.
Ian Petrella (Randy) and Scotty Schwartz (Flick) checking out the living room of A Christmas Story House just before the Grand Opening.
Ian Petrella (Randy) once again hiding uder the sink in A Christmas Story House
Zack Ward (Scut Farkus) and Yano Anaya (Gover Dill) signing autographs for fans at the Renaissance Hotel meet and greet Thanksgiving weekend.
A bully and his toadie. Zack Ward (Scut Farkus) and Yano Anaya (Gover Dill)
Yano Ayana (Gover Dill) near the stairs inside the house.
Scotty Schwartz (Flick) shaking hands with Brian Jones (Owner of A Christmas Story House) in the living room of the house just before the grand opening.
Ian Petrella (Randy) holds up his original snowsuit from A Christmas Story on display in the museum.
Ian Petrella (Randy) and Jim Morelavitz (Freight Man) reunite after 23 years. Jim took care of Ian on set during the filming and delivered the crate that held the leg lamp during the movie.
Patty Lafontaine and Drew Hocevar (The Evil Elves) at the Renaissance Hotel meet and greet.
Scotty Schwartz (Flick) holding a Bumpus hound puppy.
Scotty Schwartz (Flick) and Tedde Morre (Miss Shield) inside the front door of the house.
2008 marks the 25th anniversary of the beloved holiday film A Christmas Story. A Christmas Story House and Museum is hosting its fourth annual event to mark the occasion: A Christmas Story 25th Anniversary Celebration and Convention. The convention will feature appearances by eight original cast members (Black Bart, Randy, Flick, Scut Farkus, Grover Dill, Miss Shields, and the two evil elves), the premiere of two documentaries about the movie, rides in the original fire truck from the movie, unveiling of original movie costumes, a bb gun range in the back yard of the house, along with several other events. The celebration will take place Thanksgiving weekend at the Renaissance Cleveland Hoteland coincide with Cleveland’s Winterfest.
The Renaissance Cleveland Hotel is the site for almost all of the celebration and convention events. For A Christmas Story fans coming from outside downtown Cleveland the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel is offering all-inclusive accommodations packages. Hotel guests get two complementary Ralphie Passes and early access to an exclusive meet and greet with the actors Saturday morning.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2008
10 AM - 5 PM: A Christmas Story House & Museum open. Tour the house, visit the museum and stop by the gift shop. Also, ride the fire truck from the movie and take your best shot (without shooting your eye out) at the BB gun range in the house’s back yard.
Location: A Christmas Story House.
Cost: Included with Ralphie Pass; Separately $7.50 Adults, $5.50 Children.
10 AM - 5 PM: Fire truck rides at A Christmas Story House. Ride the original fire truck used in the movie from Flick’s famous tongue-on-the-flagpole scene. Rides begin at A Christmas Story House and travel around the neighborhood. Proceeds benefit the Chippawa Volunteer Fire Department (Niagara Falls, Ontario), which owns and maintains the fire truck.
Location: A Christmas Story House.
Cost: Included with Ralphie Pass; Separately $5 Adults, $3 Children.
12 PM - 5 PM: Meet actors from A Christmas Story and get their autographs. Meet Black Bart, Randy, Flick, Scut Farkus, Grover Dill, Miss Shields, and the two Evil Elves.
Location: Ambassador Ballroom of the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Included with Ralphie Pass, Separately $10 Adult, $5 Children. Autograph fees apply.
2 PM: Original Genie Awards unveiling at A Christmas Story Museum. Witness the unveiling the two Genie Awards won by A Christmas Story on public display for the first time ever. The Genie Award is the Canadian equivalent of the Oscars. The exhibit is on loan from the estate of A Christmas Story Director Bob Clark for 25th Anniversary holiday season only.
Location: Canada Room of A Christmas Story Museum.
Cost: Free with House and Museum admission.
4 PM - 6 PM: Screening of A Christmas Story. Enjoy the movie on the big screen.
Location: Gold Ballroom at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Free.
7 PM – 9 PM: Premiere of “Shooting Your Eye Out: The Untold ‘Christmas Story’” Join the actors from A Christmas Story for the premiere of this documentary. Directed by Bill Szark, “The Untold ‘Christmas Story’” is a documentary about the making of “A Christmas Story” and the phenomenon it has become. The documentary includes commentary and insights from the actors about their memories from the making of the movie. DVD copies of the films will be for sale on-site and at A Christmas Story House Gift Shop.
Location: Gold Ballroom at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Included with Ralphie Pass; Separately $7 Adults, $5 Children.
9 PM: Cocktail reception with actors from A Christmas Story immediately following the premiere of “Shooting Your Eye Out:The Untold ‘Christmas Story’.”
Location: Gold Ballroom at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: $10 per person which includes one free drink per ticket. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Two tickets are included with the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel package.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2008
9 AM – 7 PM: A Christmas Story House & Museum open with extended hours. Tour the house, visit the museum and stop by the gift shop. Also, ride the fire truck from the movie and take your best shot (without shooting your eye out) at the BB gun range in the house’s back yard.
Location: A Christmas Story House.
Cost: Included with Ralphie Pass, Separately $7.50 Adults, $5.50 Children.
10 AM: Original movie costume exhibits unveiled at A Christmas Story Museum. Exhibits include costumes from the Parker family Christmas Morning and the Black Bart Bandits scene. These costumes have never been seen by the public and are part of a recently discovered collection thought to have been lost to the ages. These exhibits will be on display through September 30, 2009, when they will rotate out to make room for other costume displays.
Location: A Christmas Story Museum.
Cost: Free with House and Museum admission.
10 AM – 5 PM: Lolly the Trolley’s “Ralphie Express” will provide round-trip transportation between the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel and A Christmas Story House. The trolley departs every half-hour. Due to limited street parking at A Christmas Story House, attendees are encouraged to park downtown near the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel and take the trolley to the house.
Location: Renaissance Cleveland Hotel main entrance.
Cost: Included with Ralphie Pass; Separately $7 Adults, $4 Children for round-trip transportation.
10 AM - 4 PM: Fire truck rides at A Christmas Story House. Ride the original fire truck used in the movie from Flick’s famous tongue-on-the-flagpole scene. Rides begin at A Christmas Story House and travel around the neighborhood. Proceeds benefit the Chippawa Volunteer Fire Department (Niagara Falls, Ontario), which owns and maintains the fire truck.
Location: A Christmas Story House.
Cost: Included with Ralphie Pass; Separately $5 Adults, $3 Children.
10 AM - 12 PM: Exclusive actor meet-and-greet for Renaissance Cleveland Hotel guests only. Meet actors from the movie and get their autographs. Meet Black Bart, Randy, Flick, Scut Farkus, Grover Dill, Miss Shields, and the two Evil Elves. (The meet-and-greet opens to the general public at 12 PM.)
Location: Ambassador Ballroom at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Included in Hotel Package open to Hotel Guests only. Autograph fees apply.
10 AM -11:30 AM: Speakers Series - Session #1. Find out what REALLY happened behind the scenes of A Christmas Story. Hear from guest speakers who share their special stories about the making of the movie. To join the sessions, you must have a Ralphie Pass that gets you into all the weekend’s events. Ralphie Passes can be purchased online.
- A Christmas Story Class Reunion - a panel discussion with several of Ralphie’s grown-up classmates. Find out what happened when Hollywood came calling at an ordinary elementary school and the students were cast as extras and paid $1 a day for their work. Hear how A Christmas Story changed their lives and what they’re doing now.
- A Christmas Story Production Panel - a panel session featuring Jim Moralevitz, who delivered the leg lamp crate to the Old Man and looked after Peter Billingsley (Ralphie) on set and still lives a few doors down from A Christmas Story House, Julie Matthews, who cast all the supporting roles, Carl Zitter & Paul Zaza, who composed the score and music, and Dwayne Mclean (Black Bart), who coordinated all the stunts.
- The speaker series is organized and moderated by Tyler Schwartz and Jordie Smits, the experts (and mega fans) on all the Canadian location shoots for A Christmas Story.
Location: Grand Ballroom at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Ralphie Pass holders only, no separate admissions will be sold.
10 AM – 11:30 AM: Second Screening of “Shooting Your Eye Out: The Untold ‘Christmas Story’” Directed by Bill Szark, “The Untold ‘Christmas Story’” is a documentary about the making of “A Christmas Story” and the phenomenon it has become. The documentary includes commentary and insights from the actors about their memories from the making of the movie. DVD copies of the films will be for sale on-site and at A Christmas Story House Gift Shop.
Location: Gold Ballroom at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Included with Ralphie Pass; Separately $7 Adults, $5 Children.
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: A Christmas Story The Musical Preview - A Christmas Story is being made into a Broadway musical. Be the first to find out the production details, cast introductions, and hear a reading from the script by producer Gerald Goehring and several members of the creative team.
Location: Grand Ballroom at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Ralphie Pass holders only, no separate admissions will be sold.
12 PM - 6 PM: Meet actors from “A Christmas Story” and get their autographs. Meet Black Bart, Randy, Flick, Scut Farkus, Grover Dill, Miss Shields, and the two Evil Elves.
Location: Ambassador Ballroom of the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Included with Ralphie Pass; Separately $10 Adult, $5 Children. Autograph fees apply.
1 PM – 2:30 PM: Speakers Series - Session #2. Find out what REALLY happened behind the scenes of A Christmas Story. Hear from guest speakers who share their special stories about the making of the movie. To join the sessions, you must have a Ralphie Pass that gets you into all the weekend’s events. Ralphie Passes can be purchased online.
- A Christmas Story Class Reunion - a panel discussion with several of Ralphie’s grown-up classmates. Find out what happened when Hollywood came calling at an ordinary elementary school and the students were cast as extras and paid $1 a day for their work. Hear how A Christmas Story changed their lives and what they’re doing now.
- A Christmas Story Production Panel - a panel session featuring Jim Moralevitz, who delivered the leg lamp crate to the Old Man and looked after Peter Billingsley (Ralphie) on set and still lives a few doors down from A Christmas Story House, Julie Matthews, who cast all the supporting roles, Carl Zitter & Paul Zaza, who composed the score and music, and Dwayne Mclean (Black Bart), who coordinated all the stunts.
- The speaker series is organized and moderated by Tyler Schwartz and Jordie Smits, the experts (and mega fans) on all the Canadian location shoots for A Christmas Story.
Location: Grand Ballroom at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Ralphie Pass holders only, no separate admissions will be sold.
2:30 PM - 4 PM: Premiere of “Road Trip for Ralphie” A Documentary produced by two mega-fans of A Christmas Story that set out to find all of the film’s shooting locations. During an adventure spanning two years and two countries, they uncover forgotten facts, discover little-known shooting locations and recover long-lost memorabilia including the costumes unveiled convention weekend.
Location: Grand Ballroom at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Included with Ralphie Pass; Separately $7 Adults, $5 Children.
4 PM: Character look-a-like contest. Dress up as your favorite A Christmas Story character. The constest is moderated by Canadian mega-fans Tyler Schwartz and Jordie Smits. The winner of the contest will get to be a part of the Winterfest Parade and ride with the actors in the fire truck from the movie. Other prizes will also be given out.
Location: Grand Ballroom at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Free.
4:30 PM – 6 PM: Final Screening of “Shooting Your Eye Out: The Untold ‘Christmas Story’” Directed by Bill Szark, “The Untold ‘Christmas Story’” is a documentary about the making of “A Christmas Story” and the phenomenon it has become. The documentary includes commentary and insights from the actors about their memories from the making of the movie. DVD copies of the films will be for sale on-site and at A Christmas Story House Gift Shop.
Location: Gold Ballroom at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Included with Ralphie Pass; Separately $7 Adults, $5 Children.
5 PM: Last trip of the “Ralphie Express”. The last Lolly the Trolley trip departs A Christmas Story House for the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. BB-gun range in the back yard of A Christmas Story House closes
6 PM - 7:30 PM: Screening of A Christmas Story. Enjoy the movie on the big screen.
Location: Gold Ballroom at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: Free.
6 PM: Winterfest! Get into the holiday spirit with the tree lighting ceremony, parade, and fireworks show. The Winterfest parade will feature the actors riding in the fire truck from the movie. The parade and other events take place right on Public Square in front of the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. Enjoy the parade while standing right in front of the Higbee’s Building (also on Public Square) just like the Parker family did in A Christmas Story.
Location: Public Square.
Cost: Free.
7 PM: A Christmas Story House & Museum closes for the day.
8 PM - 11 PM: Premiere of ClarkWORLD documentary by ClarkWorld Films about the life and works of A Christmas Story director Bob Clark. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to support the local Cleveland chapter of MADD. The movie features many of the people that worked closely with Bob Clark over the years, including Kim Cattrall, Denise Richards, Jon Voight, Scott Baio, Peter Billingsley, Dom DeLuise, and many others! Also on public display for the first time ever will be the two Genie Awards (the Canadian equivalent of the Oscars) won by A Christmas Story.
Location: Grand Ballroom at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
Cost: $5 Adults, $3 Children and please bring a new unwrapped toy for the Marine Corps. Toys for Tots drive and receive a free popcorn. Priority up front seating will be given to all Ralphie Pass holders but they must still pay admission. VIP tables are also available and can be purchased online in our gift shop. All proceeds go to support the local Cleveland chapter of MADD.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2008
12 NOON - 5 PM: A Christmas Story House & Museum open. Tour the house, visit the museum and stop by the gift shop. Also, take your best shot (without shooting your eye out) at the BB gun range in the house’s back yard.
Location: A Christmas Story House.
Cost: $7.50 Adults, $5.50 Children.
Higbee Company Department Store
Higbee’s department store was the stage for three scenes in A Christmas Story. The first is the opening scene in which Ralphie first spies the Red Ryder BB Gun. The large glowing “HIGBEE” sign is unmistakable. The second scene is the parade just before Ralphie goes to see Santa. The parade scene was filmed just outside Higbee’s in Cleveland’s public square at 3 AM in the morning. The final scene is Ralphie and Randy’s visit to see Santa which was filmed inside Higbee’s. Higbee’s kept the Santa slide that was made especailly for the movie and used it for several years after the movie’s release.
Higbee’s was the first department store in the greater Cleveland area. The 12-floor Higbee Company building was the anchor for Cleveland’s Public Square from its open in 1931 until its eventual close on Monday, Jan. 7, 2002. Higbee’s operated as Dillard’s between 1992 and its close. When Higbee’s closed it was the last of the downtown department stores in Cleveland.
In 2007 the Higbee corner window and front area of the department store reopened as a Visitor Center and the headquarters for Positively Cleveland the city’s convention and visitors bureau. The new center blends the historical features of the Higbee building with a modern and expansive visitor information area. Fans can walk through the same doors as young Ralphie did. They won’t see Santa, but they will discover all the wonderful events and attactions Cleveland has to offer. In 2008 the Higbee Window was decorated with “A Christmas Story” theme to mark the 25th Anniversary.
Higbee’s is named for Edwin Converse Higbee. Edwin Higbee opened the Hower & Higbee Dry Goods store in 1860 with partner John G. Hower. After, Hower’s passing, Edwin Higbee became President and the name of the store was changed to the Higbee Company. Edwin Higbee served as President from 1897 until his death in January 1906. The company lived on and opened its department store is 1931. In the decade of the 1960s, Higbee’s established 6 stores in the Cleveland suburbs. The profitable chain was sold in 1987 to Dillard Dept. Stores and Edward J. DeBartolo. At that time Higbee’s was the area’s largest sales volume retailer of high-end fashion merchandise, with 14 stores in northeast Ohio. When DeBartolo sold his share in July 1992, the chain was renamed Dillard’s.
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument
The monument visible in A Christmas Story that sits opposite of Higbee’s in Public Square is the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument. It is the Cleveland’s major Civil War memorial. Dedicated on 4 July 1894 the monument consists of an elevated base containing a tablet room. The base is surmounted by a column capped with a 15′ high Statue of Liberty, bringing the total height of the structure to 125′. Surrounding the exterior of the base are 4 groupings of bronze sculpture depicting various Civil War battle scenes.
Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Public Square 1890s
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Win a Trip to A Christmas Story House!!!
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GRISWOLD CONTEST!
Christmas Vacation 20th Anniversary Salute! Show us your Clark Griswold approach to Christmas for a chance to win a trip to A Christmas Story House & Museum as the guest of honor and official illuminator of 25,000 twinkle lights on A Christmas Story House.
Starting November 1 through November 13, 2009, contestants can email photos or a YouTube video link of a home that they have decorated in true Griswold fashion along with a description, in 200 words or less, of how they feel they reflect the spirit of Clark Griswold at Christmas. One lucky winner (and a guest) will win the opportunity to come to A Christmas Story House & Museum in Cleveland, Ohio to officially plug-in the lights on Saturday, November 21, 2009. The lights will remain on the house throughout the Christmas season. Photos will be displayed on our website so that people can see the Clark Griswold-inspired decorating that goes on around the country! The winner will be announced the week of November 16, 2009. We promise we won’t staple the winner’s shirt to the house, or ask them to check every bulb! PRIZE:
WHEN: The Griswold Contest runs November 1st to 13th. The lighting ceremony will take place November 21st. WHERE: For entry and official rules visit: www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/index.php/griswold-contest |
| Christmas Vacation Moose Mugs now available for pre-order!!! |
| To commemorate the 20th anniversary of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation A Christmas Story House gift shop is carrying replica moose mugs, just like the ones that Clark and Cousin Eddie toasted. The perfect Christmas party item or gift for that special “cousin” in your life.
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