A Christmas Story (1983) Synopsis & Summary

Synopsis

Nine years after the Yuletide slasher flick Black Christmas, Porky's director Bob Clark once again took on the holiday genre, switching from gasps to laughs with A Christmas Story. Adapted from a memoir by humorist Jean Shepherd (who narrates), the film centers on Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), a young boy living in 1940s Indiana, desperately yearning for a Red Rider BB gun for Christmas. Despite protests from his mother (Melinda Dillon) that he'll shoot his eye out, Ralphie persists, unsuccessfully trying to enlist the assistance of both his teacher and Santa Claus. All the while, Ralphie finds himself dealing with the constant taunts of a pair of bullies and trying to not get in the middle of a feud between his mother and father (Darren McGavin) regarding a sexy lamp. - Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

Movie Info

Starring:
Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Peter Billingsley, Ian Petrella, Scott Schwartz
Theatrical Release Date:
11/18/1983
DVD Release Date:
10/29/1997
Rating:
PG
Run Time:
94 min.
Distributor(s):
MGM/UA
Director(s):
Bob Clark
Genre(s):
Comedy, Family
Themes:
Bullies, Eccentric Families, Mischievous Children
Tone:
Madcap, Gentle, Irreverent, Witty, Endearing, Warm, Humorous, Nostalgic
Keywords:
Christmas, bully, childhood-adventures, family-dynamics, gun, obsession, scheme, sibling, small-town
Setting:
Christmas
Time Period:
1940s
Language:
English
Status:
In Theaters

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