Opinion

All I want for the holidays is a classic Christmas story

In keeping with the holiday spirit, I decided to share my thoughts about a good holiday DVD.

“A Christmas Story” is a 1983  comedy film based on the short stories of author Jean Shepherd.  The movie includes material from his books “In God We Trust,” “All Others Pay Cash” and “Wanda Hickey’s Night of Golden Memories.”

“A Christmas story is set in the fictional city of Hohman,  which is based on Hammond, Ind. where writer Shepherd grew up. 

Bob Clark directs the movie and Shepherd narrates.

 A Christmas Story was released the week before Thanksgiving,  and in its first weekend, earned about $2 million. 

For most children, Christmas is a time for them to get that one gift they have waited for all year long. 

Young Ralphie Parker played by Peter Billingsley is no exception to this rule. The gift he desires is different from what other boys his age want. The traditional fire truck, police car or action figures are not on Ralphie’s list this year. Ralphie decides  he will ask Santa for a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model BB gun. Problems with a bully at school, his brother and getting his tongue stuck to an icy pole are a few things that make Ralphie wonder if he will even make it to Christmas day to get the BB gun he wants so much. 

The plot is centered on Ralphie’s quest to get a BB gun for Christmas. He discusses the BB gun with his mom, Santa Claus and in a letter written at school. Every time he mentions the BB gun to an adult, he gets the same response. “You will shoot your eyes out.”  

To find out if Ralphie makes it to Christmas Day, gets a BB gun and shoots his eye out you have to watch the movie. I am confident you’ll enjoy this timeless movie.