This week’s memorable movie is unquestionably a classic. For years, I was sure "A Christmas Story" was made before my time, but I came to learn that this is actually a modern classic from the 80’s. Ralphie was brought to Christmas holiday traditions in 1983 and has been a staple ever since. If you haven’t seen this holiday favorite yet, you are sure to be able to find it on television this season. In years past, one station has shown 24 hours of "A Christmas Story" either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. At our house that meant we could hear Ralphie and his family everywhere we went in the house all 24 hours the movie was on TV. Of course we also had it on video in case we didn’t get enough. I’m sure this year will be just the same.
Ralphie…..Peter Billingsley
Randy…..Ian Petrella
Mother…..Melinda Dillon
Old Man (Ralphie’s Dad))…..Darren McGavin
Old Man: What is the name of the Lone Ranger’s nephew’s horse?
Mother: Uh, Victor. His name is Victor.
Old Man: How the [heck] did you know that?
Mother: Everybody knows that.
Ralphie: Hey Dad, I’ll bet you never guess what I got you for Christmas.
Old Man: A new furnace.
Ralphie: That’s a good one, Dad.
Ralphie as an Adult: My old man was one of the most feared furnace fighters in northern Indiana.
Ralphie: My little brother had not eaten voluntarily in over three years.
Randy: Meatloaf, smeatloaf, double beatloaf. I hate meatloaf.
Old Man: Alright, I’ll get that kid to eat. Where’s my screwdriver and my plumber’s helper? I’ll open his mouth, and I’ll shove it in.
Ralphie as an Adult: Meanwhile, I struggled for exactly the right BB gun hint. It had to be firm but subtle.
Ralphie: Flick says he saw some grizzly bears near Polaski’s candy store.
Ralphie as an Adult: They looked at me as if I had lobsters crawling out of my ears. I could tell I was in imminent danger of overplaying my hand.
Old Man: Fra-jee-lay. That must be Italian.
Mother: I think it says “Fragile”.
Ralphie: Only one thing in the world could have dragged me away from the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window.
Mother: That is the ugliest lamp I have ever seen in my entire life.