A Christmas Story Special Edition

[Chris D]

What a great movie. This one has become a perennial holiday favorite. Now for the 20th Anniversary, a Special Edition 2-disc DVD has been released.

Great story. It's a compilation of numerous short stories by the author about his life as a child, keeping the primary plot line throughout the movie of wanting a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. I think anyone who watches this movie will be brought back to their days as a child, remembering the innocence and joy of the holidays, and the angst of wanting a particular toy or dealing with friends and school.

Great DVD transfer--the picture is nice a clear, presented in anamorphic widescreen. As the sound is mostly dialogue, there isn't much to report, but it sounds fine in a Dolby Digital transfer. DVD extras are nice, with a director's commentary, but as with some other DVD's recently, I wonder if a second DVD is really necessary or just a gimmick to make it look better. I wonder if all the features could have fit on one disc.

This disc is one sure to please, whether you've never seen the movie or are an avid fan. It's one that I'll break out of the collection every year to be sure.




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"

[David Meek]

"You'll shoot your eye out, kid." :B




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[George Bellefontaine]

Loved that lamp.

AND THE KID ROLLING AROUND IN HIS BULKY SNOWSUIT... what a hoot.

I alternate playing this every Christmas with Christmas Vacation.




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[Chris D]

One thing I found to be interesting is that I haven't seen any of the actors in other productions. They were all one-hit wonders. One exception is the older red-haired bully, who was the younger brother on the TV show Titus. I think the mom may have been in something else.

What's really funny is that you can buy replicas of that lamp today. One extra on the DVD is even taking you to the factory where they make the lamps. What a hoot.




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"

[Burke Strickland]

While YOU may not have seen any of the actors in anything else (except as noted), from the data in IMDB for A Christmas Story, only one of the major members of the cast were "one hit wonders". http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085334/ . Here's how many "Acting Credits" in movies the main actors had (many as recent as 2003):

• Melinda Dillon ... Mrs. Parker (Mother)
39 Acting Credits
• Darren McGavin ... Mr. Parker (The Old Man)
97 Acting Credits
• Peter Billingsley ... Ralph 'Ralphie' Parker
20 Acting Credits
• Ian Petrella ... Randy Parker
2 Acting Credits
• Scott Schwartz ... Flick
20 Acting Credits
• R.D. Robb ... Schwartz
10 Acting Credits
• Tedde Moore ... Miss Shields
19 Acting Credits
• Yano Anaya ... Grover Gill
3 Acting Credits
• Zack Ward ... Scut Farkus
31 Acting Credits
• Jeff Gillen ... Santa Claus
11 Acting Credits
• Colin Fox ... Ming the Merciless
83 Acting Credits
• Paul Hubbard ... Flash Gordon
16 Acting Credits
• Leslie Carlson ... Tree Man (as Les Carlson)
55 Acting Credits
• Jim Hunter ... Freight Man
4 Acting Credits
• Patty Johnson ... Head Elf
1 Acting Credit (A Christmas Story)

Only one out of 15 not doing any other credited acting isn't too bad. While they are not generally "household names", most of the cast did go on to do other acting work after A Chrismas Story. (A few have done a LOT of TV, with notable guest appearances listed separately from the acting credits in IMDB.)

Burke

[Chris D]

Okay, Burke.... :roll: (sigh) I'll cry uncle. You're right of course... I don't intend to insinuate that nobody in this or other films ever worked again after this film. I just haven't seen any of the characters in other works.




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"

[Dean McManis]

Yeah, it's a fun movie Chris.

I actually held off on buying this film on DVD because the last release was pan-and-scan 4:3 only, but even though I haven't watched the new SE release, I did pick up the widescreen DVD of this movie, and I'm looking forward to seeing it.

-Dean.