A Christmas Story was a delightful movie from 1983 that has entertained Christmas holiday television watchers for years as they shared Ralphie Parker's anguish and determination to get that Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle for Christmas.
So now Peter Billingsley, the guy who played little Ralphie, is peddling his musical version of the same story. Here he is on a Nightline episode telling about it. All well and good, until he lets slip at about the 2:58 mark that the movie was "set in the depression". The depression ended around 1939 having lasted much longer than it should have due to political ineptitude. But the movie was set in the 40's or 50's -- clue: see the family car. As a child actor Mr. Billingsley was probably tutored on the set, and maybe they didn't cover history. But at least he learned a trade.
Never mind that. The movie is still a delight. And if somehow you've missed it, check out the scene when Darren McGavin as Mr. Parker cuts loose with a string of colorful but fake expletives that probably had the censors scrambling for the dictionary.
Anyone wanting to see the movie a few more times can catch it on TBS where it starts at 7 pm on Christmas eve and reruns for 24 hours.
Comments