A Christmas Story: Behind the Scenes of a Holiday Classic

Caseen Gaines

Oct 2013 · ECW Press

About this ebook

“The definitive book about Bob Clark’s 1983 classic holiday film. Filled with untold stories, unreleased photographs, and much more” (Parade).
 
This ultimate guide to everything fans want to know about A Christmas Story shares the inside scoop behind the film’s production, release, and unlikely ascent to the top of popular culture. From Jean Shepherd’s original radio broadcasts to Bob Clark’s 1983 sleeper hit film and beyond, A Christmas Story has become a beloved Yuletide tradition over the last three decades.
 
This is the untold story of the making of the film—and what happened afterwards. Ralphie Parker’s quest for a Red Ryder air rifle didn’t end with the movie’s release; the tale inspired massive VHS sales, a Broadway production, and a mountain of merchandise. Complete with rare and previously unreleased photographs, now fans of the movie and film buffs alike can lean all they didn’t know about the timeless classic.
 
“Entertainingly and exhaustively sheds new light on a movie that everyone loves and thinks they know inside and out. Engaging and packed with enlightening anecdotes, it’s a perfect companion to the movie.” —Richard Crouse, author of 100 Best Movies You’ve Never Seen and Raising Hell: Ken Russell and the Unmaking of The Devils
 
“Caseen Gaines’ comprehensive, insightful, and beautifully illustrated look at Ralphie Parker and his family will make perennial viewings of this beloved comedy an even richer and more entertaining tradition.” —Jeremy Kinser, Queerty
 
“An iconic and brilliant part of Americana is brought back to life through Caseen Gaines’ book. I couldn’t stop smiling while reading it!” —Noah Levy, cohost of VH1’s The Gossip Table

Ratings and reviews

This is my all time favorite Christmas movie, my brothers and i can recite every line, we watch it every year...... (unsure what the other review is about as it is fard to read and understand)

Grandbaby I must say you’re meaner than a dog you but harder than the dog but I love you if you was home alone you could take care of grandma and daddy and grandma’s new boyfriend get help me get worse you need to brush your hair

About the author

Caseen Gaines is a pop culture enthusiast who has won awards for essays on The Flip Wilson Show and the Planet of the Apes film series. He is a high school English teacher, the cofounder of Hackensack Theatre Company, and the author of Inside Pee-wee’s Playhouse. He lives in Hackensack, New Jersey.