There's an extremely good chance that "A Christmas Story" will find its way into your holiday movie rotation this winter. Why not have some fun facts about the film mentally queued up so you can impress friends and family? Hopefully, the facts we've compiled here are just obscure enough that you've never heard them before. Plus, if you want to know where to watch "A Christmas Story," we've got that covered as well.
The heartwarming tale of young Ralphie Parker's quest for the perfect Christmas gift has captured the hearts of generations, making it a quintessential part of the festive experience. The film has the power to transport us back in time, evoking a sense of nostalgia and warm memories. It's a movie that has the remarkable ability to unite families and friends, making it a staple in countless households. According to many, "A Christmas Story" is the single greatest Christmas movie of all time.
While you may know every line and scene by heart, there's always something delightful about discovering the behind-the-scenes magic that brings a beloved film to life. From the real-life inspiration behind the leg lamp to the celebrities who were nearly cast in the film, these tidbits are sure to entertain and inform.
Without further ado, here are 15 fun facts about "A Christmas Story" that you might not know. And, most importantly, here is where you can watch this classic film during the 2023 holiday season.
1. The Film Is Based on the Narrator's Real Life
Michael Tighe/Donaldson Collection/Getty Images
Jean Shepherd, the film's narrator, co-wrote "A Christmas Story" using his own life experiences. He first shared these semi-autobiographical tales on the radio and later in Playboy magazine. The main source material for the movie came from his 1966 book "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash," along with stories from his 1971 book "Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories and Other Disasters." Ralphie Parker, the film's protagonist, serves as Shepherd's on-screen persona, narrating nostalgically from an adult perspective.
2. The Director Had Already Made a Very Different Kind of Christmas Movie
David Cooper/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Director Bob Clark, known for diverse films including "Porky's" and "Baby Geniuses," made a surprising turn with "A Christmas Story." Before this heartwarming holiday classic, he helmed "Black Christmas," one of the earliest American slasher films.
3. Ralphie's Dad Doesn't Actually Have a Name
MGM/UA Entertainment Co.
Ralphie's dad remains nameless, despite some fans thinking he's called Hal. The confusion arises from a neighbor's question about the leg lamp. Still, the movie's original screenplay confirms that the neighbor's query is, "Damn, hell, you say you won it?"
4. You Can Visit the House From the Film — and Even Spend a Night in It
MGM/UA Entertainment Co.
The original "A Christmas Story" house is now a museum in Cleveland. Entrepreneur Brian Jones purchased the house in 2004 for $150,000 on eBay and meticulously restored it to match the film's set design. Visitors can enjoy year-round tours and even stay overnight. Across the street, the "Christmas Story" Museum showcases original props and memorabilia.
5. Ralphie Didn't Say 'Fudge'
MGM/UA Entertainment Co.
Ralphie's famous line isn't "fudge," but rather, "The queen mother of [bad] words." Actor Peter Billingsley revealed that he didn't say "fudge" either. He said the actual word repeatedly during filming for the perfect take. Billingsley said he was already more than familiar with the word, given his Hollywood upbringing.
6. Three Leg Lamps Were Made for the Movie
MGM/UA Entertainment Co.
Three identical leg lamps were made for the movie, but none survived filming. Production designer Reuben Freed crafted the design based on several sketches until the director approved it. Unfortunately, all three lamps met their demise during the shooting.
7. The Leg Lamp Was Inspired by a Real-Life Award
MGM/UA Entertainment Co.
The leg lamp in the film was inspired by a Nehi soda advertisement. Jean Shepherd's story, "My Old Man and the Lascivious Special Award That Heralded the Birth of Pop Art," inspired the "major award." Production designer Reuben Freed brought it to life, drawing inspiration from vintage Nehi soda ads, which featured a bottle alongside a woman's leg.
8. Jack Nicholson Was Originally Considered for a Role
Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images
Jack Nicholson was considered for Ralphie's dad, known as "The Old Man," in the movie. However, director Bob Clark ultimately chose Darren McGavin, who also played Kolchak in the cult TV show "Kolchak: The Night Stalker." McGavin's performance impressed Clark, leading to additional collaborations.
9. The Director and Writer Both Have Cameos
MGM/UA Entertainment Co.
Screenwriter Jean Shepherd appears in the film as a department store employee directing Ralphie and Randy to see Santa. He also provides the narration. Director Bob Clark makes a cameo as Swede, the neighbor fascinated by the infamous leg lamp.
10. The Furnace Scene Was Improvised
MGM/UA Entertainment Co.
The furnace fight scene was entirely improvised. Darren McGavin had difficulty delivering angry lines without profanity — maintaining a PG rating was crucial for the film — so most of his "swears" are gibberish words.
11. The Actor Who Played Ralphie Helped Make the Marvel Cinematic Universe a Reality
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Peter Billingsley's role as Ralphie in "A Christmas Story" launched his career. As an adult, he transitioned to behind-the-scenes work and collaborated with Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau on "Made." He was an executive producer on Favreau's "Iron Man," the inaugural film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
12. No One Knows Exactly When the Movie Takes Place
MGM/UA Entertainment Co.
The year the movie takes place remains a subject of debate. "The Wizard of Oz" references suggest 1939, but the Old Man's mention of a 1941 football game and Ralphie's 1940 decoder pin muddle the timeline.
13. Ralphie Was Chewing Real Tobacco During the Cowboy Fantasy Scene
MGM/UA Entertainment Co.
During the cowboy scene, Peter Billingsley chewed real tobacco, an unconventional choice by the prop department. This decision left the child actor dizzy, sweaty and with burning lips on set.
14. A Deleted Scene Shows Ralphie Rescuing Hero Flash Gordon
Getty Images
A secret deleted scene involving Ralphie rescuing Flash Gordon from Ming the Merciless on planet Mongo existed. Pages from the script and a character image are preserved at the Christmas Story Museum. Both Flash Gordon and Ming the Merciless appear in the film's end credits.
15. Sean Astin and Wil Wheaton Auditioned for the Role of Ralphie
Presley Ann/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images / Araya Doheny/Getty Images for Paramount+
The casting process for the role of Ralphie in "A Christmas Story" involved thousands of auditions. Although Peter Billingsley was the early favorite, other future stars including Sean Astin and Wil Wheaton tried out. Ultimately, Billingsley was chosen for the iconic role.
Where to Watch "A Christmas Story"
If you're looking to stream "A Christmas Story" on Netflix, Hulu or Max (like last year), you're sadly out of luck. This year, the only place where you can watch the holiday classic is by renting it on Amazon. You can watch the sequel, "A Christmas Story Christmas," on Max as its a Max original.
