A Christmas Story Re-Enacted by Bunnies in 30 Seconds click image to view cartoon

The next three 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.

Big Fun - Voted Cleveland’s Best Toy Store

Just 15 minutes from A Christmas Story House

Click Here for an Extra Special Coupon from Big Fun!

At Big Fun expect movie, TV and cartoon character merchandise:

Austin Powers, Yellow Submarine, Pez, G.I. Joe, Star Wars, Star Trek,Transformers, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Godzilla, Mr. T., Ren and Stimpy, Pee Wee Herman, Three Stooges and KISS. There are school lunchboxes, model kits, action figures, and more magnets than you can shake a refrigerator at. There’s also old, weird board games and obscure movie, TV and cartoon tie-ins you thought you’d never see again .The store sits on Coventry, long considered the heart of Cleveland’s counterculture, from the hippie-era and onwards. Imagine piles of toys up to (and on) the ceiling — new, used and nostalgic. We buy and sell — but only as long as goods amply register on the “cool meter” of founder Steve Presser.

1814 Coventry Road
Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118
(216)371-4386

Store Hours

Monday-Thursday 11-8

Friday & Saturday 11-10

Sunday 11-7

Big Fun Toy Store

A Christmas Story The Musical

Hollywood Christmas Movieland

Higbee’s Department Store

Warner G. Harding (aka Victoria School)

Bo Ling Chop Suey Palace

Fire Truck

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 Past and Present

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.

Insights from Bill Dywer, an extra during the filming at Victoria School

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.

Road Trip For Ralphie

The Untold Christmas Story

ClarkWORLD

The Sequels – My Summer Story & Ollie Hopnoodle’s Haven of Bliss

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.

“Be Sure To Drink Your Ovaltine.”

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

Click here hear the song and actual episode AuthenticHistory.com

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.

Orphan Annie web sites

RadioArchives.org

AuthenticHistory.com (Plays Actual episode including crummy commercials)

Scoop Archives

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

Siskel & Ebert - 1983 Review of A Christmas Story

Click to Play Video

Ebay Giving Works Auction raised $5250 for Wounded Warrior Project!

Pennsylvania family wins chance to spend holiday in ‘A Christmas Story’ house

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 Special Thank You to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for providing 4 tickets for the auction winners.

The Auction Read as Follows:

Spend Christmas Eve & Morning in the house from A Christmas Story

VIP EXPERIENCE FOR 4 WITH AIRFARE, HOTEL, & MEALS INCLUDED!

“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.

Experience includes:

Schedule & Activities

DECEMBER 23:

DECEMBER 24:

DECEMBER 25:

DECEMBER 26:

All sales are final, there are no refunds of the winning bid. 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.

The charity auction is managed on eBay Giving Works by Auction Cause, a premier celebrity and brand auction management agency. 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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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: No. The charity auction is only valid for the winning bidder and up to three guests (four people total). No other guests will be permitted. Guests under the age of 18 may attend the experience if they are accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.

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.

The Sound Track to A Christmas Story

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!

Now Available in Our Gift Shop

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.

Now Available in Our Gift Shop

The perfect viewing companion to a treasured holiday classic.

View the trailer for Road Trip for Ralphie

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:

• Save Miss Shields’ blackboard from the hands of a demolition crew
• Recreate the famous flagpole scene in the same school yard
• Track down the antique fire truck that saved Flick
• Discover Ralphie’s screen-used Red Ryder air rifle
• Take a ride on the vintage red trolley seen in the movie
• Tour the Toronto movie studio where the interior scenes were shot
• Recover all of the film’s costumes from a Toronto warehouse
• Visit the bridge where Ralphie uttered the F-dash-dash-dash word
• Buy a Christmas tree in the same spot as the Parker family
• Walk down the street where Ralphie beat up Scutt Farkus
• Take a peek through Higbees’ window
• Be first in line at the Grand Opening of A Christmas Story House in Cleveland
• Head back-stage of A Christmas Story: The Play
• Go for dinner at the former Chop Suey Palace in Toronto

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.

Deleted Opening Scenes

Deleted Miss Shields and Flash Gordon Scenes

Picture of the delete fantasy scene with Ralphie and Flash Gordon on Planet Mongo

Ming the Merciless and Flash Gordon were still included in the credits even though the scene was deleted

Deleted Ralphie Rescues Santa Scene

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”

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 being made into a Broadway musical!

Producers Gerald Goehring and Michael Jenkins have partnered with the Kansas City Repertory Theatre for the November 20, 2009 World Premiere Pre-Broadway run of A Christmas Story, The Musical!

For more information about the musical visit: www.AChristmasStorytheMusical.com

You can also read more the production of the Mucical in this article on Playbill.com

The Musical will Opening December, 2009

Latest Update as of 12/11/2008 on the Musical from Playbill.com

Gerald Goehring and Michael Jenkins will present an industry reading of the new musical, A Christmas Story, based on the Warner Brothers movie and humorist Jean Shepherd’s novel “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash,”  Dec. 16-17 in Manhattan.

Already popular as a non-musical play in regional theatres, this new and separate song-filled stage version of the 1983 film features a book by Joseph Robinette (Charlotte’s Web; Sarah, Plain and Tall) and music and lyrics by Scott Davenport Richards (A Thousand Words Come to Mind).

The movie source material is 25 years old this year, and is a beloved modern classic. “Ralphie, the mischievous, bespeckled boy, dreams of getting a Red Ryder BB-gun for Christmas,” according to the musical’s producers. “In the weeks before the big holiday, Ralphie and his friends get into all kinds of trouble — including encounters with a ‘yellow-eyed’ bully, a tongue stuck to lamp post, a bar of soap in the mouth, a garish leglamp and a Chinese Christmas dinner.”

The reading cast of A Christmas Story includes Beau Bridges (”The Fabulous Baker Boys”) as Jean/Older Ralph, Gregg Edelman (Wonderful Town) as Old Man, Liz Larsen (Starmites, Damn Yankees) as Mother, Dalton Harrod (Ace, the Musical) as Ralphie, Michael D’Addario (All My Sons) as Randy, Simon Pincus (Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas) as Flick, Henry Hodges (Mary Poppins) as Schwartz and Annie Golden (Xanadu) as Miss Shields. The ensemble features Chantylla Johnson, Lina Silver, Luke Marcus Rosen, Aaron D. Conley, Kelvin Moon Loh, Tom Aulino, Matt Wilson, Todd Alan Johnson, Jill Abramovitz, Jesmille Darbouze and Mimi Bessette.

A Christmas Story is directed by Eric Rosen (artistic director, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, and director of Clay), with James Sampliner (Mamma Mia!) serving as music director.

The production stage manager is Robert Bennett (American Buffalo, Nick and Nora). Kansas City Repertory Theatre is the regional theatre partner of A Christmas Story.

The performances are open to members of the industry by invitation only

“ClarkWORLD” will have a special premiere screening during the “A Christmas Story” 25th year Anniversary Celebration and Convention on Nov. 29th, 2008 in Cleveland, Ohio at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel. The proceeds from tickets will go to MADD in Cleveland.  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!

In the tradition of award winning, offbeat and stylized documentaries such as The Kid Stays in the Picture and Crumb, ClarkWorldis an inside look into the eccentric life of famed film Director, Bob Clark.  When success was met with high-profile box office failures, Clark would effortlessly switch genres, studios and even countries…anything to continue making movies.  But as Clark continued to struggle against a series of flops, he was simultaneously being heralded as an inspiration to a new breed of filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino, John Carpenter and many others, citing their influence from his iconic films such as Porky’s, Murder by Decree, Turk 182, Black Christmas, and of course, the legendary film A Christmas Story (on over 100 critics lists of top 50 movies of all time, and the best Christmas movie of all time).  Clark’s film Black Christmas was initially blasted by critics when originally released in 1974, but now, three decades later, it is acknowledged a a pure post-modern masterpiece. As we continue to weave between various anecdotes told by some very famous people, we discover insight to Clark’s quirky and unpredictable personality as well as his integrity and genius. ClarkWorld is unique, because Bob Clark was unique. It is a riveting, hilarious, edgy, and poignant film that takes us on a whimsical journey inside the world of Bob Clark.

For more information about ClarkWORLD visit ClarkWORLDFilms.com or indiegogo.com/clarkworldfilms

See pictures of Peter Billingsley (Ralphie) on the set of ClarkWORLD at ClarkWORLDFilms.com

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.

Events planned for Christmas in July

July 25th and 26th

Sneak Preview of the “Ralphie Collection” Costume Display

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.

Free Fun for the Kids

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!

Food Drive

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.

Leg Lamp Games

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

A Christmas Story Themed Table Games

Challenge a friend to your favorite board games with A Christmas Story twist!

Trivia Board game
Monopoly
Checkers
Dominoes

BB-Gun Range

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!”

Other Events in July

Taste of Tremont - July 19th

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.

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