10 Things You Didn't Know About ChristmasStory

[scottcaldwell]

While on vacation this past summer we traveled through Cleveland and stopped to see the house. The complex includes the house, a museum and a gift shop. They were all jam packed with people, a testament to how loved this movie truly is.

[aubnwa]

"In The Heat Of Battle, My Father Wove A Tapestry Of Obscenity, That As Far As We Know Is Still Hanging In Space Over Lake Michigan."

[kellycrawford]

My dad passed in 1994. We watched it together every year. I still watch it every year with love in my heart for my old man.

[richkader]

This was my father's favorite Christmas movie. He would often say that this is what it was like growing up in the 1940's in the Midwest. He passed away in 2016. - Greetings from Cleveland, Ohio- home of the Christmas Story House.

[igotarock]

"My old man worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay"

[clicks]

This movie was released about the same time I started understanding the real world I lived in. I was in my 20’s. I had landed a really good job with an electric utility company that took me out into the real world. The job was a power line clearance tree trimmer. We would go into people’s backyards. While working out in the field, I met fantastic people that shared their holiday cheer with perfect strangers. It was common to enter a yard and find a pot of coffee and doughnuts or cookies. Every year, as the holidays approach, I reflect back on those years… and a Christmas Story. They were truly challenging but simpler times. As I approach my 63rd year, I reflect back with a humble appreciation for life and for the wonderful people that I had the opportunity to serve.

[mattrodgers]

Some men are Catholics, others Baptists, my father was a Oldsmobile man.

[jefflang]

“Where did you hear that word?” Now I had heard that word at least 10 times a day from my old man 🤣 absolutely classic film and one of my personal favorite lines.

[emilytrott]

The scene at the end with Mr. and Mrs. Parker sitting next to each other in soft glow of the lights on the tree, and watching the snow fall, is one of the most romantic scenes I've ever seen. You can feel the love emanating from them. ❤

[keriezy]

This *IS* _the Christmas movie_ ! It embodies so much of a real Christmas. The tree drama, crappy gifts, friends and enemies, and the inevitable dinner disasters.

[jrlauer]

“The snap of a few sparks, a quick whiff of ozone and the lamp blazed forth in unparalleled glory.”

[Bellthorian]

If anyone is curious about the exact date of the movie, I actually calculated it using the newspaper the father is reading at the dinner table at time stamp 1:02:31. There is a picture of a The KMS Admiral Graf Spee, a German Pocket battleship on it. I cross referenced that with the online archives of the Chicago Tribune and found the article about the sinking of the Admiral Graf Spee on 17 December 1939.

[loodath]

I don't care how many times I've seen the movie, it's just not Christmas without it.

[Orlor]

"Randy lay there like a slug. It was his only defense."

[Lucky-mnvc]

I grew up with Flick, went to the family bar on kennedy ave, in hammond. Attended warren harding school. So this movie holds a very special place for me.

[walteracevedo]

Bonus Fact: The Chinese Food scene was mostly improv, but they didn't tell the "boys" and "Mother Parker" for a genuine reaction.

[joncarranzakuh-ran-zah]

A Christmas story IS a tradition here in the states. In my house, all day all Christmas on TBS.

[bobbybarnes]

The original leg lamp used in the movie was destroyed after filming was completed. The slide used in the movie is on display at Castle Noel in Medina Ohio, along with many other props. Fox8 newscaster Stefani Schaffer along with her brother were extras in the movie. She's the one in blue coat sitting on the bench in the store. Higbees is now Jacks Casino. Filming was done in February, 2 months after Christmas. The area where the house is located has its own little cottage tourism, with a store across the street that sells souvenirs. Most of the cars used in the street scenes were all locally owned, all the owners were paid rental fees for their use and they were hired to do the driving. Most of these facts are very well known in the Cleveland area. I hope you enjoyed them.

[DreamDancer]

I read that TBS and TNT ran this movie for 24 hours every Christmas so that their employees could have the day off. But I love this movie, especially Darren McGavin as "The Old Man." He's hysterical. "NADDAFINGAH!"

[stephensupernor]

“I can’t put my arms down” one of my all time favorite movies of all time let alone favorite Christmas movies.