Every year millions of people tune in to watch the 24-hour marathon of A Christmas Story on TBS, and even more people watch the show on DVD or Blu-ray. The classic movie has become so popular that many viewers have memorized every single line from the movie.
Despite the amazing amount of fan loyalty A Christmas Story has maintained and continued to build, there are many facts about the movie that a majority of people don’t know about.
1. Ralphie says Red Ryder BB Gun 28 Times
2. Cleveland Residents loaned their classic cars to the movies director so they could shoot several scenes.
3. Enter the family’s home address of 3159 W 11th Street, Cleveland, OH into street view on Google Maps and you will see the infamous leg lamp in the home’s front window.
4. The movie takes place in 1939 or 1940. However in the classroom scene, one kid can be seen wearing a digital Dick Tracy watch. The movie was released in 1983.
5. How did they stick Flick’s tongue to the pole in A Christmas Story? They used a suction tube!
6. Scut Farkas’ last name derives from the Norwegian word for “wolf.” When he first appears on screen, “Wolf” from Sergei Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” plays in the background.
7. Farkas is a fashion trendsetter for his time period. That Davey Crockett hat he wore in the movie wouldn’t become popular until the 1950s when worn by Fess Parker in the mini series about the famed legend.
8. Jack Nicholson wanted to play the dad in A Christmas Story. His salary would have doubled the film’s budget.
9. A 1980s math book can be seen on Miss Shields’ desk.
10. Every mumble between Ralphie and Farkas during their infamous fight scene was scripted.
11. Chattering Wind-Up Teeth were not invented until 1949 yet they appear in A Christmas Story.
12. Bing Crosby’s Merry Christmas album didn’t come out until 1945, however, it can be heard playing in the background as the family opens Christmas presents.
13. Ralphie’s school theme title reads “What I Want For Chistmas.” Notice the incorrect spelling of Christmas.
14. The creator of the Wonder Years decided to create the TV series because of the inspiration they received from A Christmas Story.
15. Will Wheaton auditioned for the role of Ralphie but lost out to Peter Billingsley
16. Director Bob Clark made a cameo in A Christmas Story. He appeared as Swede, the neighbor impressed by Mr. Parker’s major award.
17. Screenplay writer and narrator Jean Shepherd is the guy who tells Ralphie and Randy that the line for Santa is way at the back of the store.
18. A quick movie to make? Heck no! It took Bob Clark (left) and writer Jean Shepherd (right) 10 years to complete the concept for A Christmas Story.
19. Before A Christmas Story Bob Clark directed the not so family friendly film Porky’s. His success with that film led to financing for the Christmas classic.
20. Jean Shepherd began A Christmas Story with a set of short stories that were published in Playboy.
For such a wholesome family film, a lot of adult movie and magazine financing and publicity went into the films creation.
I will openly admit that I have watched A Christmas Story more than 100 times over my lifetime, typically five to six times per holiday season, and I have to say that I only knew eight of the 20 facts on this list.
Which A Christmas Story facts most surprised you when you first read about them?
