“A Christmas Story” offers a glimpse into the life of an average family a few weeks before Christmas. But it's packed with so many memorable gags, characters and lines that it reads more as a comedic character study of a family during the holiday season than a traditional Christmas movie.

Why do people like A Christmas Story so much?

The whole thing smacks of nostalgia, from the warm holiday music poured over the film to screenwriter/monologuist Jean Shepherd's honeyed narration over Peter Billingsley's innocent, expressive face as our put-upon boy hero, the BB gun-hungry Ralphie Parker.

How did A Christmas Story get popular?

In 1997, TNT initiated a 24-hour marathon of "A Christmas Story" on Christmas Eve, creating a new holiday tradition for countless families. This marathon has significantly contributed to the film's popularity and its status as a beloved part of holiday celebrations.

What was the point of A Christmas Story?

But that's what makes A Christmas Story so different. It's entirely about young Ralphie's desire to get his dream present, a Red Rifle BB gun. That's exactly why the movie has endured. It's about the innocence and wonder of experiencing Christmas as a child.

Why is A Christmas Story the best movie?

However, at the heart of the movie lies an endearing message about the magic of childhood, and what happens when we get the gift we've always wanted. "A Christmas Story" is one of the few holiday movies that I find genuinely funny, even after watching it on repeat during the days leading up to Christmas.

WTF Happened to A Christmas Story?

What is the #1 Christmas movie of all time?

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Why is the Christmas story important?

Because Christmas is about the birth of God's Son – Jesus. It is about how he came to give us love, hope and joy. That message doesn't change from year to year. When there is so much bad news and devastation in the world, this is good news worth celebrating!

What was the secret message in A Christmas Story?

The film A Christmas Story (1983) depicts the Little Orphan Annie radio show transmitting a secret message that deciphered to: "Be sure to drink your Ovaltine", unlike the actual broadcasts' secret code segments, which usually previewed the upcoming episode.

What is the moral of the Christmas story?

It may have been a lot of work, but Ralphie's unwavering persistence paid off in the end. He did indeed receive the only Christmas gift he wanted that year, reminding children and adults alike to never give up.

How old was Ralphie in A Christmas Story?

The film is presented in a series of vignettes, with narration provided by the adult Ralphie Parker. As a 9-year-old boy in 1940, all Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle.

Was the tongue scene in A Christmas Story real?

Fortunately, the 14-year-old actor's tongue wasn't really “thtuck,” and no children were harmed filming the scene. The prop people painted the pole to appear old and rusty, and masked a piece of plastic wrapped around it, according to Schwartz.

Did they use a real bar of soap in A Christmas Story?

The soap scene, while believable, was all thanks to Peter Billingsley's sharp acting skills. The iconic red Lifebuoy soap we saw in the movie was actually made of wax. Because of the movie's small budget, real soap was out of the question.

What does the Christmas story tell us?

It tell us that God the Father made sure His Son was born into this world surrounded by family. The Christmas story is about inclusion and a reminder that family is important to us and to God. He doesn't want us to be alone or try to do our spiritual walk by ourselves.

Why can't Ralphie have a BB gun?

To not get the weapon would mean Ralphie would be inconsolable, his life irrevocably ruined. Not even warnings that he would shoot his eye out can dissuade him. Unlike the leg lamp, another infamous totem of the holiday classic, the Red Ryder was a real product that had a life outside of the film.

What does the Christmas story teach us about God?

Christmas is all about God's love and mercy, not His damnation. It's spotlighting God's unconditional love for us the way it should be done all year long.

What does Ralphie tell Santa he wants?

I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle! Santa Claus : You'll shoot your eye out, kid.

What is the famous line from A Christmas Story?

1 “You'll shoot your eye out, kid.”

The most ever-present theme in this classic Christmas movie is Ralphie's quest for the official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle.

Why did the dad get the leg lamp in A Christmas Story?

Mr. Parker loves the lamp because it is his award for completing a crossword puzzle about great characters in American literature in the newspaper. It is an iconic part of pop culture and popularizes A Christmas Story further.

What did Ralphie's decoder ring say?

We don't get to hear the whole message, but we see it later when Ralphie sets up in the bathroom to decode in private. He works furiously, and discovers that the answer is Be sure to drink your Ovaltine (“a crummy commercial?”).

Is the Christmas story historically accurate?

Most scholars believe both stories were written some 70 to 80 years after the birth of Jesus. Secular history contains no mention, anywhere, of events in the story. Evans: Our records are admittedly sparse, sometimes just nothing is there.

How old was Mary when she had Jesus?

Her age during her pregnancy has varied up to 17 in apocryphal sources. In a large part, apocryphal texts are historically unreliable. According to ancient Jewish custom, Mary technically could have been betrothed at about 12, but some scholars hold the view that in Judea it typically happened later.

Which book of the Bible is the Christmas story in?

The Christmas story in the Bible can be found in a couple of different places, mainly Matthew 1:18-2:23 and Luke 1:26-2:40. Although the word “Christmas” is never used in scripture, the word itself means “Christ's Mass,” a day (and season) to remember the birth of Jesus.

What is America's favorite Christmas movie?

This study had several predictable results. However, we also uncovered some interesting findings. For instance: America's favorite holiday movies are Home Alone, The Grinch (2018), Elf, Edward Scissorhands, and Happiest Season.

What is the absolute best Christmas movie?

94% Critics Consensus: The holiday classic to define all holiday classics, It's a Wonderful Life is one of a handful of films worth an annual viewing.

What is the most played movie during Christmas?

According to a survey conducted in December 2022, "Home Alone" ranked as the most viewed Christmas film in the United States, with 87 percent of respondents saying they had seen it. Chris Columbus' 1990 comedy classic was followed by 2000´s "How The Grinch Stole Christmas".