A Christmas Story **** (1983, Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon) – Classic Movie Review 1962

Some people put this up there as their all-time favourite Christmas movie. Certainly director Bob Clark’s 1983 Christmas classic is a thoroughly enjoyable, sweetly beguiling movie of reminiscences of a boy growing up in an Indiana, Mid-West town in the 40s and wanting a special kind of gun for Christmas against the wishes of his mom, Mother Parker (Melinda Dillon).

Somehow, nine year-old Ralphie has to convince his parents, his teacher and Santa that a Red Ryder Range Shot 200 BB gun really is the perfect gift for him. When the big day comes, what has Santa brought him?

Based on writer part of  Jean Shepherd’s experiences recalled in the book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash, the nicely rambling yarn is attractively played by Peter Billingsley as young Peter Shepherd, and filmed with a good eye for laughs and nostalgic detail (surprisingly) by the maker of the gross comedies Porky’s and Porky’s II.

Dillon’s also right on the nail with her performance and Darren McGavin scores, too, as Old Man Parker, with a problem furnace.

Shepherd and Clark write the screenplay with Leigh Brown.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1962

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