Love 'A Christmas Story'? Visit Cleveland!
Filed under: Fandom, Family Films
I was one of the dozen people who actually saw A Christmas Story in a movie theater in 1983 when the movie was first released. I was just the right age to have read a bunch of Jean Shepherd's stories and wanted to see the adaptation. I liked the film well enough, but over the years, I've watched everyone go ga-ga over the movie. If you are a big fan of Ralphie and his family -- and I know some of you out there sit through a surprisingly large portion of TNT's annual 24-hour marathon of the film -- perhaps you might want to include Cleveland in your future travel plans.Although A Christmas Story is set in a small Indiana town, the film was shot in Cleveland and Ontario. The Cleveland house that was used as the Parkers' family home is currently being restored to match the 1940s look of the movie as much as possible. The new owner,
According to TMZ, Jones is a big fan of the movie who started a business selling copies of the film's notorious leg lamps, which have helped fund the house's restoration. (My siblings and I have been very tempted to buy one for my parents, but so far we've been restrained by good taste.) The restored house/museum will open on Nov. 25, just in time for the holidays. Actors from the film will be on hand for the grand opening. The Christmas Story House project has its own website if you want more details for your next vacation.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
10-18-2006 @ 12:00PM
Darien Allen said...
I always make sure somewhere in the Holiday season I watch this DVD. Just a great, great movie.
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10-18-2006 @ 2:03PM
Erik Davis said...
Ha, I am one of those people who owns a smaller version of the leg lamp. As much as I wanted the big one, my wife wouldn't let me have it. Darn.
However, every now and then I rub my hand up and down the leg and go, "Yeahhh, a statue."
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10-18-2006 @ 6:43PM
Brian Jones said...
Not to disappoint any one but my name is Brian Jones not Ralph Jones. If you are a fan of A Christmas Story you have to come see the house. It is surreal to be there. Its like you are in the movie. Thats how it was for me the first time anyway. The shed still stands in the back yard and Randy snowsuit and Zepplin are on display. We open Nov 25 with a cast reunion.
Brian
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10-19-2006 @ 2:13PM
julieanne said...
You'll shoot your eye out! hehehe
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10-19-2006 @ 2:33PM
marie said...
I own a fullsize leglamp courtesy of my husbands love for this movie. It stays in the front window to bring smiles to those who have loved the movie and to offend those who think they are above owning something that is obviously italian made. I will be in line to walk thru the house and look forward to doing so. Thanks for making it possible.
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10-19-2006 @ 2:49PM
Bob said...
Oh, Fu---dge.
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10-19-2006 @ 2:40PM
Margie said...
love the movie .. some of us at my house even watches it thur the year not just at Christmas time ....
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10-19-2006 @ 2:37PM
Leisha said...
I really love this movie. Every year we watch it and if it is a marathon we will watch it a couple of times. We can`t get enough!
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10-20-2006 @ 8:05AM
Pam Woolsey said...
Thank You Brian, for keeping a bit of an American Cristmas classic alive for those of us who LOVE the film. My soon to graduate from high school son and I watch this movie every year..........
Pam
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10-19-2006 @ 2:41PM
kathy said...
darren mcgavin is priceless in that movie. i love the little dance he does when he finds out he won an "award". and of course when he curses, or whatever that is he does when the heater isn't working, or the neighbors dogs come in his house. the whole movie is priceless, but my brother and i (i'm 50 he's 49) still laugh hysterically whenever we see the movie and darren mcgavin comes on the screen. we laugh like we're little kids all over again. what a great movie. period.
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10-19-2006 @ 2:44PM
Karen Seifer said...
I have watched A Christmas Story, it seems forever. A friend finally bought the VCR for me because they were tired of having to look for it in the TV guide every Christmas.
I love the parts where Ralphie beats the bully up, and Christmas dinner in the Chinese Resturant, the best.
The Christmas holidays just wouldn't be the same without A Christmas Story
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10-19-2006 @ 2:53PM
lucy said...
I also saw it back in 1983 when it came out at the theatre. I thought it was funny and charming. Glad to know good stuff stays around
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10-19-2006 @ 2:48PM
Denise Helwig said...
I Love this Movie..It makes me remember what times use to be like, good and homsome. My Favorite scene is when they are watching the Macy's Parade and go to
see Santa, it brings back memories from my own childhood. We watch this Movie every Christmas EVE.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
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10-19-2006 @ 2:48PM
Frank said...
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuudge!"
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10-19-2006 @ 11:03PM
Jason Mariner said...
One of the greatest and enduring film treasures of all time, right up there with 'It's A Wonderful Life'. If you haven't read Jean Shepherd's book 'In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash', try to find a copy. 'Christmas Story' is just one of many hilarious tales all told in the same humorous style and voice.
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10-19-2006 @ 2:56PM
Diane said...
Nada Finga! U used up all the glue on PURPOSE!
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10-19-2006 @ 2:55PM
Michelle said...
The movie marathon runs on TBS now...it has for the last couple years.
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10-20-2006 @ 8:50AM
Ann Sletcher said...
Christmas just isn't Christmas unless I watch this movie with my neice. She is 27 years old and this is her favorite movie of all time. Someday I hope to but her a leg lamp.
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10-20-2006 @ 8:51AM
Ann Sletcher said...
Christmas just isn't Christmas unless I watch this movie with my neice. She is 27 years old and this is her favorite movie of all time. Someday I hope to but her a leg lamp.
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10-19-2006 @ 3:02PM
Bob said...
I recall the Christmas I received my own Red Ryder BB gun. This movie brings it all back. Ralphie and I are kindred spirits. Had my mother permitted it, I believe my father would have had his own leg lamp.
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