April 23rd, 2010 by Ralphie
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April 23rd, 2010 by Ralphie
| Randy Comes Home for the Summer | |
 A Christmas Story House will have a special guest this summer. Actor Ian Petrella who played Ralphie’s little brother Randy, will live in A Christmas Story House and serve as its tour guide. Ian’s “home coming” will be during the months of July and August. Ian will serve as a special tour guide recounting his first hand experiences at the House during the film of the movie. If you don’t see him when you first enter the House look in his favorite hiding place under the sink.
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| New Arrivals in the Gift Shop | ||
A Christmas Story House Gift Shop has added a few new items. We now carry fleece blankets and Snuggies in both Adult and Youth sizes. The red and green patterned fleece blanket and Snuggies capture three classic scenes from the movie: the leg lamp, the pink nightmare bunny suit and the Oh Fudge incident. We have also addedtwo new head knockers depicting the Old Man with his Major Award and Ralphie with his prized bb gun. These two compliment the previously available leg lamp head knocker.
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| A Christmas Story Convention 2010 |
 A Christmas Story Convention 2010 will be held the Friday & Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, November 26 & 27, 2010. A current schedule of events is posted on our website AChristmasStoryHouse.com. 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 live actor commentary, a downtown tree lighting ceremony and much more.
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. These packages should be available starting some time this month
Going forward A Christmas Story Convention will take place every other year. After the 2010 Convention the next one will be held in 2012. |
| The Musical Announces 2010 Location |
 A Christmas Story The Musical!, which premiered at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre in 2009, will next play Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre from November 30 – December 19, 2010.
A Christmas Story The Musical! played as a pre-Broadway engagement and enjoyed an extended run in Kansas City. The Kansas City production was the most successful engagement in the history of the Kansas City Repertory Theatre grossing over $900,000 in ticket sales. The producers will continue developing the production at the 5th Avenue Theatre this year with the goal of taking the production to Broadway in 2011. |
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Help Us Get the Word Out! |
 If you’ve stopped by to visit with A Christmas Story House and had a good time with us- please be so kind to write a review on tripadvisor.com It helps us spread the word about what a fun place the House is. We thank you for your support.
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December 1st, 2009 by Ralphie
WIN A CHANCE TO LIVE OUT A HOLIDAY FANTASY
IN A CHRISTMAS STORY HOUSE!
100% OF THE AUCTION BENEFITS THE CLEVELAND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS!
WHO:
Bid on a chance to win a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend Christmas reliving your favorite  moments from the cult classic, A Christmas Story, at the original Christmas Story House & Museum in Cleveland, OH. One lucky winner and three friends will experience A Christmas Story like never before. All your favorite moments are up for grabs in this auction. From leg lamps to BB Guns, to bunny suits and a Chinese Turkey dinner, celebrate A Christmas Story for a holiday to remember while giving to a great cause.
A Christmas Story experience charity auction benefits the Cleveland Scholarships Program. The Cleveland Scholarships Program is Northeast Ohio’s only regional resource promoting educational awareness and opportunity to enrich our community and prepare the workforce of tomorrow. The Cleveland Scholarships Program has a vital role in transforming Northeast Ohio from a manufacturing-based to a knowledge-based economy.
WHEN: Now! The Charity Auction runs December 1st to 11th at Noon EST.
WHERE: Place your bids at www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/index.php/ebay-auction
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November 4th, 2009 by Ralphie
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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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August 27th, 2009 by Ralphie
 Please support A Christmas Story House and Museum by endorsing our nomination as a inspiring small business in the Shine A Light business sweepstakes. We are proud to accept the nomination from a long time customer and friend, Melody Spangler. You can read and endorse Melody’s nomination at shinealight.ivillage.com The “Shine A Light,” campaign calls for people across the country to nominate and vote for their favorite small businesses that has distinguished itself through innovation, made a contribution to its community, or proven its merit through exceptional customer service. The winning business will receive $100,000 in grant and marketing support from American Express and will be featured on MSNBC’s small business show, “Your Business.” And the people who nominate the three finalists will receive $3,000 AmEx gift cards. Click here to endorse our nomination. We appreciate your support. |
| The 100,000th Visitor!!! |
A Christmas Story House and Museum welcomed its 100,000th visitor this Thursday. Lee Stanton from Brunswick, Maine was the lucky visitor. He made a special detour just to visit the House while traveling with his mom on their way to Kentucky. As our 100,000th visitor Lee received a ” Major Award!” Leg Lamp and commemorative over-sized ticket with the number 100,000 on it, framed in a shadow box with an original piece of the House enclosed.  Since opening less than three years ago A Christmas Story House has performed 3 weddings and welcomed visitors from all fifty states and countries around the world.
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| Ralphie Cast for A Christmas Story The Musical. |
 Congratulations to Zachary Carter Sayle of Hoover, Alabama has been cast as Ralphie for A Christmas Story The Musical.
Sayle — fresh off a national tour of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” – has been cast as Ralphie, the narrator and young star of the Christmas tale, at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre,. Before “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” Sayle starred as Ralphie in CenterStage Productions’ version of “A Christmas Story” in Birmingham. Sayle’s mother, Pam, runs Alabama Dance Academy in Hoover. Zachary Carter Sayle |
| Deluxe Leg Lamps back in stock. |
 Deluxe Leg Lamps are back in stock.
The beautiful 50-inch Deluxe Leg Lamp is a near perfect replica of the leg lamp featured in A Christmas Story. All of the quirky features are present in this leg lamp including the butt cheek, the chubby thigh and the knobby knee. It also show cases a fringed gallery shade, a sexy thigh high fishnet stocking, and an elegant stiletto heel. This is our tallest model of leg lamp and the most accurate in style and size to A Christmas Story leg lamp. We have also recently added a new packing option: the leg wooden crate. This new crate option ships just the lamp in a wooden crate while shipping the shade in a separate box. Its a nice upgrade from the cardboard box and an economical alternative to the full size crate. |
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August 4th, 2009 by Ralphie
| Exclusive Dept 56 Items in the Gift Shop |
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A Christmas Story House Gift Shop will once again carry two exclusive items from Dept 56 which will only be available only in our gift shop. The items are The Perfect Tree and The Santa Float. Both items are limited quantity re-releases of retired pieces. Both are now available for PRE-ORDER with an expected ship date in early October and will be the first orders to ship once the items are in stock. .
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| Dept 56 New 2009 Building and Accessories |
In addition to the exclusive pieces A Christmas Story House Gift Shop will carry this year’s new building and accessories. New for this year are Police Station, Police Car and Policeman and Boys. These three items are inspired by the police who arrived to help Flick get un-stuck from the flag pole.
We are currently offering a $10 discount through our giftshop on the “Police Trio” when you PRE-ORDER all three at the same time. All three police items are also available individually for PRE-ORDER. All items have an expected ship date in early October and will be the first orders to ship once the items are in stock. |
| Decoder Pins and Hallmark Ornaments are in Stock |
 Ralphie’s Decoder Pin is back in stock in the gift shop. This brass decoder pin works just like the 1940 Speed-O-Matic. You can create your own secret society and send coded messages to your friends. Both halves of the decoder swivel to allow you to set the decoder to any number-letter combination.
Also in stock are this year’s Hallmark Ornaments. “What a Lamp” features the Old Man’s Leg Lamp and Ralphie’s Pink Nightmare showcases Ralphie on the stairs in his pink bunny suit from Aunt Clara.
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| Christmas in July Photos |
 Photos from our Christmas in July celebration are now posted to achristmasstoryhouse.com
It was a fun event that included a visit by Patty Johnson, the Evil Elf from A Christmas Story. A Deranged Easter Bunny also stopped by to hand out balloons to kids. The celebration even involved an appearance on the Christmas in July special of That’s Life with Robin Swoboda. A good time was had by all. Thank You to everyone that joined |
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July 21st, 2009 by Ralphie
| Christmas in July Celebration is this Weekend!!! |
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Christmas in July is here!!! Come celebrate with us this weekend, 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(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. Some of the Events planned for Christmas in July Include:
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| The Pink Nightmare Bunny Suit is now available for pre-order!!! |
He looks like a Deranged Easter Bunny…
Now you too can know the humiliation Ralphie felt when he received the Pink Nightmare Bunny Suit from Aunt Clara.   We are pleased to offer an exact reproduction of the Bunny Suit Pajamas Ralphie receives from Aunt Clara. The one item that could make life at Warren G. Harding Elementary School a veritable hell. The perfect Halloween costume that you can later gift to your best friend or enemy! Let them know you still labor under the delusion that they are not only perpetually 4 years old but also a girl! Give the gift of a Pink Nightmare!
This Adult Size Costume comes as One Size Fits Most.
For extra comfort and ventilation the bunny ears hood can fold back, Slip-Mits with an opening at the wrist allow you to remove your hands from the mittens and the slippers are removable.
As a special promotion we are including a FREE Deranged Easter Bunny T-Shirt with every bunny suit. The perfect shirt to wear underneath your bunny suit pajamas.
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| Flick’s Aviator Cap Now Available!!! |
 Flick’s Aviator Cap can now be yours! We are pleased to offer a hand made leather aviator cap that is an exact reproduction of the cap worn by Ralphie’s friend Flick. The cap is fleece lined for added warmth and comfort. It can be worn with or without black knit cap underneath. Black knit cap is included with purchase of leather avaitor cap. The original cap, on display at A Christmas Story House and Museum, was used as the as the model for the reproduction. This One Size Fits Most cap is available in both an Adult and Child size.
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July 6th, 2009 by Ralphie
| Celebrate Christmas in July! |
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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. Some of the Events planned for Christmas in July Include:
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| “I Triple-Dog-Dare You… Again” |
 Ralphie’s friend Schwartz is at it again! R.D. Robb who played Schwartz in A Christmas Story is the producer for a film that plays on Schwartz’s famous line “I Triple-Dog- Dare You!” The new film is aptly titled Triple Dog.
Learn more about the film at: www.tripledogfilm.com Learn more about R.D. Robb’s post A Christmas Story film career at: www.imdb.com Triple Dog takes place in a small suburban town, where six high school girls play a game of dare that careens out of control, altering their lives forever… The popular girl, Eve, is having her 16th birthday slumber party, when her best friend, the attention-hungry Chapin, arrives late and the party starts spinning out of control. Content to entertain themselves with facials and pedicures, tomboy Chapin suggests they play a game of dare called, “Triple Dog”. The rules are simple: everyone gets a dare and gives a dare. Failure to perform a dare results in one’s head being shaved. Whoever performs the best “Triple Dog Dare” by the end of the night wins a cash prize and the ultimate respect from their peers. |
| Trailer for Peter Billingsley’s “Couples Retreat” Released |
 The trailer for Peter Billingsley’s Couples Retreat was released earlier this week by Universal Studios. (Click here to view the trialer.) Peter Billingsley, who played Ralphie in A Christmas Story and is fresh off his executvie producing role in the blockbuster Iron Man is making his first major directorial debut with this big-screen comedy. 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.
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.
Couples Retreat will be in theaters on October 9th.
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| Christmas in July Online Gift Shop Special |
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June 11th, 2009 by Ralphie
| Leg Lamps Back In Stock – Just in time for Father’s Day |
 Leg Lamps are back in stock and on sale just in time for Father’s Day. Give your “Old Man” a gift that doubles as “A Major Award!!!” Both full size leg lamps also come with a free A Christmas Story T-shirt. Full Size leg lamps start at only $99.99.
Click here to visit our gift shop. 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 Story author, 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. |
| Father’s Day Packages and Specials – A Tribute to the Old Man |
 To make shopping easier this Father’s Day we have put together several packages that make the perfect Father’s Day gift for your “Old Man.” Packages start at just $29.99 and are available in the museum gift shop.
On Father’s Day, Sunday June, 21st, bring your Old Man to A Christmas Story House & Museum and he will receive half off of admission. Click here for more information on our Father’s Day Packages. A bit of trivia about Ralphie’s Old Man: The part of the Old Man was originally offered to Jack Nicholson, who reportedly was interested in playing the part. Director Bob Clark, however, lobbied hard for Darren McGavin. The producers, worried about Nicholson’s typically large salary requests, eventually approved McGavin. Though the Old Man’s first name is never mentioned in the film. In the shooting script it is revealed to be Frank. |
| Mark Klaus’ Hollywood Christmas Movieland – Announces Location |
 Great Northern Mall, just outside of Cleveland in North Olmsted, Ohio, will be the sight for this years “Holly”wood Christmas Movieland. 100s of original props, costumes, and production stills from your favorite Christmas movies will be on display! There is no greater Christmas movie collection of rare, kooky and memorable props and costumes any where!  A Christmas Story House & Museum and Christmas Movieland are partnering to provide the best Christmas movie experience possible. Mark Klaus, owner of “Holly”wood Christmas Movieland, is a well known and accomplished artist. This year he will be producing an exclusive lighted A Christmas Story House piece. Mark is well known by his collectors for the intricate miniature details included in his sculptors. The front of the piece features the Parker Family: The Old Man, Mom, Ralphie and Randy. The back features A Christmas Story House complete with lighted leg lamp in the window and each will include an original piece of the wood siding from A Christmas Story House that was on the house during the filming of the movie. These pictures are images from which the piece will be sculpted.   For more information on Christmas Movieland visit: christmasmovieland.com |
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Christmas in July Preview |
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We will once again be celebrating Christmas in July with fun activities, games, and prizes the weekend of July 25th and 26th. If you missed it last year be sure to join us for both leg lamp bowling, leg lamp ring toss, bb-gun shooting range and several other special events We’ll also sponsor a food drive with discounts on admission for every can of food you bring. A schedule of events will be provided in our next newsletter and posted to our website in the coming weeks.
Also during July be sure to join us Sunday, July 19th for our neighborhood’s Taste of Tremont Festival! |
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Join our networks on Twitter, Facebook & Myspace |
  
twitter.com/ACSHouse facebook.com/ACSHouse myspace.com/achristmasstoryhouse |
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A Christmas Story House & Museum is open year-round on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Tours of the house run every 30 minutes. Regular admission is $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors, $5.50 for children (ages 7-12) and free for children ages 6 and under. For more information, visit www.achristmasstoryhouse.com or call 216-298-4919.
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April 15th, 2009 by Ralphie
| Schwartz & Randy’s Stocking Cap – Can now be yours! |
 After numerous fan requests we decided we just had reproduce the stocking caps worn by Schwartz and Randy. Take a nostalgic step back into time with your very own knit stocking cap like the kids in “A Christmas Story” wore. The original movie worn stocking caps on display at “A Christmas Story” House and Museum were used as the model for the reproduction to ensure proper color and proportion. Each cap is handmade in Cleveland, Ohio. These stocking caps are great for children and adults alike! One Size Fits Most and available in our online gift shop in two styles, named after the boys who wore them, Schwartz and Randy.Â
For more information and pictures or to purchase stocking caps click here. The stocking caps are just two of the many new products being released this year!  Stay tuned for further details as products become available. |
| THE MUSICAL Announces World Premiere Location |
 Kansas City will be the location for the World Premiere Pre-Broadway run of “A Christmas Story, The Musical.” The Kansas City Repertory Theatre has partnered with producers Gerald Goehring and Michael Jenkins to bring to life the most beloved Christmas movie of all time as a musical. “A Christmas Story, The Musical” is quickly becoming one of the most highly anticipated shows in the theatrical world. The show will be directed by Rep Artistic Director Eric Rosen. Performance dates have not yet been announced.
For more information A Christmas Story, The Musical click here.
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| Mark Klaus’ Hollywood Christmas Movieland |
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For those of you who love Christmas movies then Mark Klaus’ “Holly”wood Christmas Movieland is a must see next time you come to see “A Christmas Story” House! Christmas Movieland opened last year for the Christmas season just outside of Cleveland and will reopen later this year as a permanent year round attraction. Christmas Movieland has 100s of original props, costumes, and production stills from your favorite Christmas movies! There is no greater Christmas movie collection of rare, kooky and memorable props and costumes any where! In addition to owning Christmas Movieland Mark Klaus is also well known and accomplished artist. This year he will be producing the first ever ornament of “A Christmas Story” House. Mark is well known by his collectors for the intricate miniature details included in his sculptures. The ornament of the house is sure to be just as amazing as his other works. For more about Mark Klaus and his work visit: christmasmovieland.com/collectibles  The sleigh form The Grinch on display at Christmas Movieland! |
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Disney Family Travel Feature & The Wizard of Oz Munchkins |
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 Disney Family Travel recently rated “A Christmas Story” House & Museum #5 in their web article “Lights, Camera, Action: 13 Places to Live the Movies”.
To read the full article about all the fun place to “Live the Movies” please visit: family.go.com For those of you that do love to live the movies this year is the 70th Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind. The Clark Gable Foundation in Cadiz, Ohio is having a 70th Anniversary Celebration May 1-3. In attendance for the celebration will be three of the original Munchkins from Oz; Jerry Maren (Lollipop Kid), Margaret Pellegrini (Sweetheart of Oz) and Karl Slover (1st Trumpeter of Oz) and from Gone With the Wind: Cammie King (Bonnie Blue) and Ann Rutherford (Scarlet’s Younger Sister). You can also tour Clark Gable’s birthplace and boyhood home while at the celebration. For more information on the 70th Anniversary Celebration visit: clarkgablefoundation.com |
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Join our networks on Twitter, Facebook & Myspace |
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          twitter.com/ACSHouse                                     facebook.com/ACSHouse                            myspace.com/achristmasstoryhouse |
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A Christmas Story House & Museum is open year-round on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Tours of the house run every 30 minutes. Regular admission is $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors, $5.50 for children (ages 7-12) and free for children ages 6 and under. For more information, visit www.achristmasstoryhouse.com or call 216-298-4919.
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