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One of Life's Happy Accidents
Date: 09-03-2005
By: lump516
( Topic#: 34 )
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I wound up going to see A CHRISTMAS STORY because a showing of CROSS CREEK at the same theater was sold out (day after Thanksgiving, 1983). The latter was one of the big oscar-bait releases for that year (it's an OK movie, but Marjorie Kinian Rawling's book is better). When I saw that Shepherd was involved, I decided to take a chance; I'd loved GREAT AMERICAN 4TH OF JULY and JOSEPHINE COZNOWSKI(?) on PBS.
The theater was half empty, but I never heard such laughter from an audience at a comedy as I did that afternoon. By the end of the weekend, it was ACS that was selling out at the theater, in spite of the fact that advertising for the film was very spotty. Although the film became something of an institution once it hit television, it certainly acheived the status of a cult classic (at least in my neck of the woods) in about two days . . . |
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Bob Clark
Date: 09-11-2005
By: fudge
( Topic#: 41 )
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Does any other director have such a varied resume-many years before I saw ACS, my favorite horror film was 'children shouldnt play with dead things'-not a fan of the genre at all-but this one creeps me out still-low budget to the extreme and silly but gives me the willies-then ACS-on my all time top ten...and the huge popularity of Porkys (not a fan of that, though)...whats he doing these days-think i saw his name on a flick recently? |
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New 20th Anniversary Edition with extras
Date: 10-26-2005
By: madmanmagic
( Topic#: 64 )
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Has anyone seen the extras on the New edition of the Christmas Story?
according to netflick it has a 2nd disc:
Talk about a great stocking stuffer!
Special features on the Bonus Disc accompanying this 20th Anniversary edition include three featurettes: "Another Christmas Story," "Get a Leg Up" and "A History of the Daisy Red Ryder."
In addition, the disc packs a "Triple Dog Dare" interactive trivia feature and a "Little Orphan Annie" Decoder Match Challenge.
Other features:
Color; interactive menus; scene access; holiday readings by author/narrator Jean Shepherd; Daisy Red Ryder faeturette; leg lamp featurette; interactive trivia; decoder game.
Dan
email - madmanmagic@mac.com
"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you."
- Walt Disney
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A Christmas Story Event: Chinese Turkey w/ Cast
Date: 11-01-2005
By: slfergus
( Topic#: 68 )
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First, let me begin by telling you that I am SO disappointed that I am unable to attend this event. I've been a HUGE fan of "A Christmas Story" since I first saw it in the theatre with my family when it was released in 1983. However, the night of the extravaganza (which I'll detail in a minute) is the same night as my wife's 10-year high school reunion. So that my happy marriage continues, I'm forced to choose the reunion over the "A Christmas Story" event of a lifetime. Here's my description of the top of the line Star Packages (tickets for 2 people) that I'm forced to sell (there were only 28 Star Packages and they are sold out):
A fundraiser for "A Christmas Story" House will take place Thanksgiving weekend, November 25 in Cleveland, Ohio. Benefitting the restoration of "A Christmas Story House," which is located in Cleveland (you will tour the house as part of the package), you and a guest will have the following itinerary:
Friday, November 25th at The Cleveland Playhouse (America's first permanently established professional theatre company; among the largest complexes in the nation, its five performance venues attract over 140,000 patrons annually)
- 10 AM to 3 PM, Open House
* Meet Flick, Randy, Scut Farkus, Schwartz and Miss Shields
* Lolly Trolley making trips to the house for tours (11AM to 3PM)
* Ovaltine & Cookies
* A Christmas Story Memorabilia on display
* House history and restoration plan displays and presentations
* Question and Answer session with kids
* Pictures with Santa Claus
* Pictures with Mr. Jingeling (Santa's keeper of the keys)
* Cast personally autographed items on sale
* Leg Lamps, t-shirts, other items on sale
* A Christmas Story Painting on sale
- 5 PM to 10 PM, A Christmas Story Play, Cocktails and Dinner with the Cast
* 5 PM to 6 PM Cocktail Hour
* 6 PM to 7:30 PM Dinner with movie actors from A Christmas Story
* 8 PM to 10 PM A Christmas Story Play
* 10 PM to 11 PM Dessert and Reception
About "A Christmas Story" Play:
By Philip Grecian
Based upon the motion picture written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark
Based on Jean Shepherd's fond and funny tribute to the original, traditional, 100% red-blooded, two-fisted, All-American Christmas. Join Ralphie in his quest for the "Holy Grail of Christmas presents" - a genuine Red Ryder 200 Shot Carbine Action Air Rifle. Along the way, experience his childhood, from coveting his father's "major award" to staring down the dreaded Scut Farcus in this funny and sweet tale of growing up in the 1940s.
Dinner/Dessert:
Chinese Turkey, peking duck stir fry topped with pickled ginger & sesame ginger glaze accompanied by jasmine rice and stir fry vegetables / Holiday dessert dux chef accompanied by a glass of ovaltine
So, come join the cast for a glass of Ovaltine and meet Randy, Flick, Scut Farcus, Schwartz and Miss Shields while helping bring the House back to its movie glory.
If you aren't from the Cleveland area, I recommend that you visit http://www.travelcleveland.com. There's more than enough in Cleveland to make for a fantastic weekend away, including the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum, the world famous Cleveland Orchestra, the Great Lakes Science Center, the Cleveland Cavaliers (LeBron James), holiday shopping at Tower City (where the movie parade, Santa Claus scene, and window shopping at Higbee's were all filmed), and much, much more.
If I can answer any questions, or assist in any way, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'll do whatever I can to make sure you enjoy your time in Cleveland! |
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Yes, your tongue WILL stick!
Date: 01-19-2006
By: Bill Bucko
( Topic#: 86 )
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Just talked with a friend last night (NOT from Hammond).
He said he was licking an icicle one day, as a kid. His tongue came in contact with a metal fence post, and stuck immediately. After a while he managed to pull it loose, and a lot of skin came off. Says his tongue was so cold it didn't hurt immediately.
It sure did, later, though! [:0]
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63 |
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Darren McGavin, Shep's Old Man in ACS dies at 83
Date: 02-26-2006
By: Brent
( Topic#: 96 )
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Prolific Actor Darren McGavin Dies at 83
Feb 26, 5:58 AM (ET)
By GREG RISLING
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Darren McGavin was painting a movie set in 1945 when he learned of an opening for a small role in the show, climbed off his ladder, and returned through Columbia's front gates to land the part.
The husky, tough-talking performer went on to become one of the busiest actors in television and film, starring in five TV series, including "Mike Hammer," and endearing holiday audiences with his role as the grouchy dad in the 1983 comedy classic "A Christmas Story."
McGavin, 83, died Saturday of natural causes at a Los Angeles-area hospital with his family at his side, said his son Bogart McGavin.
McGavin also had leading roles in TV's "Riverboat" and cult favorite "Kolchak: The Night Stalker." Among his memorable portrayals was Gen. George Patton in the 1979 TV biography "Ike."
Despite his busy career in television, McGavin was awarded only one Emmy: in 1990 for an appearance as Candice Bergen's opinionated father in an episode of "Murphy Brown."
He lacked the prominence in films he enjoyed in television, but he registered strongly in featured roles such as the young artist in Venice in "Summertime," David Lean's 1955 film with Katharine Hepburn and Rosanno Brazzi; Frank Sinatra's crafty drug supplier in "The Man with the Golden Arm" (1955); Jerry Lewis's parole officer in "The Delicate Delinquent" (1957); and the gambler in 1984's "The Natural." He also starred alongside Don Knotts, who died Friday night, in the 1976 family comedy "No Deposit, No Return."
Throughout his television career, McGavin gained a reputation as a curmudgeon willing to bad-mouth his series and combat studio bosses.
McGavin starred in the private eye series "Mike Hammer" in the 1950s. In 1968 he told a reporter: "Hammer was a dummy. I made 72 of those shows, and I thought it was a comedy. In fact, I played it camp. He was the kind of guy who would've waved the flag for George Wallace."
Born in Spokane, Wash., McGavin was sketchy in interviews about his childhood. He told TV Guide in 1973 that he was a constant runaway at 10 and 11, and as a teen lived in warehouses in Tacoma, Wash., and dodged the police and welfare workers. His parents disappeared, he said.
He spent a year at College of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., taking part in dramatics, then landed in Los Angeles. He washed dishes and was hired to paint sets at Columbia studio. He was working on "A Song to Remember" when an agent told him of an opening for a small role.
"I climbed off a painter's ladder and washed up at a nearby gas station," McGavin said. "I returned through Columbia's front gate with the agent." The director, Charles Vidor, hired him. No one recognized him but the paint foreman, who said, "You're fired."
McGavin studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse and the Actors Studio and began working in live TV drama and on Broadway. He appeared with Charlton Heston in "Macbeth" on TV and played Happy in "Death of a Salesman" in New York and on the road.
He is survived by his four children - York, Megan, Bridget and Bogart - from a previous marriage to Melanie York McGavin, Bogart McGavin said. McGavin was separated from his second wife, Kathy Brown, he said. Services were set for March 5 at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
"Mah Gawd! Hey, Maw, It's Cassie! She's home from the reformatory!" |
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Jean Shepherd Fest
Date: 04-08-2006
By: Woobergoober
( Topic#: 117 )
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Hey everybody. Finally got registered on this site, and was hoping to get a little information. Back in 2004, I took my Grandfather to Shep Fest, out in Hammond, IN. I wanted to go for two reasons- to meet the actors who played the kids in A Christmas Story, and to see any new Jean Shepherd stuff, that I had not been exposed to yet.
Meeting those guys that played the kids was really cool! I even through down some money, and got the autographed poster sheet.
We went to watch some of the videos of some miscellaneous Shep interviews and what not, but the screening room only had a projector type set up that played the movie on the wall, and the audio was real hard to hear.
Just as a side note, I am 32, and my Grandfather is going to be 80 this year. He borrowed, and read (a few times) my collection of Jean Shepherd books, and every time, we laughed afterwards, and would discuss the stories, and how that book could have been written about my Grandpa himself! Never have I gotten such enjoyment out of books, nor do I think my Grandfather has.
So, I guess the question I am getting to, is if there are any plans for there to be another Shep Fest in Hammond. It was nice, but I was really hoping to meet up with other fans of Shep- I think more people where there to do the Christmas Story thing, which is fine, but I found ole Shep through that movie, and have learned about the bigger world of Shepherd and was hoping to meet others that also appreciate that bigger world.
I check I Lost My Eye.com, but it does not seem that they ever update it, or else, I could not find the updates, if there were any.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Scott |
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Farkas
Date: 04-15-2006
By: svea3
( Topic#: 120 )
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I had working party with my two buddies , one of whom is an Engineer with Ford at headquarters in Dearborn, last night. He told me that Farkas was running the Ford Plant ? Terrence. I wonder if that is our Farkas??? He said he was from Hammond! |
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ACS Parody
Date: 04-30-2006
By: Jim R
( Topic#: 123 )
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A Christmas Story. In 30 seconds. By bunnies
[url]http://www.starz.com/features/christmasstory/[/url]
Harding Class of '67
Morton Class of '72 |
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Christmas Story House Opens
Date: 10-09-2006
By: jmosbrook
( Topic#: 147 )
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The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports the Cleveland house where the 1983 "A Christmas Story" was filmed will open as a tourist attraction November 25. According to an article, "Owner Brian Jones replaced the vinyl siding with wood, had the place painted to match the movie and gutted the inside. He also bought the house across the street, which will be the ticket office, museum and gift shop (featuring leg lamps, of course)." Jones says he is still looking for a claw-foot bath tub and a pull-chain toilet "to finish the 1940s look of the upstairs bathroom."
The house is located in the Tremont neighborhood on Cleveland's near West Side. |
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ACS Tribute: Singing Chins!
Date: 01-17-2007
By: Brent
( Topic#: 188 )
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Here is a fun little site. Type in the name of a Christmas carol and a pair of chins (you have to see it) will sing it for you. Go the site, type in "deck the halls" and you will hear a subtle tribute to A Christmas Story!
[url]http://www.sundog.net/carolofthechins/flash/index.html[/url] |
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ACS Now in High Definition!
Date: 06-01-2007
By: Brent
( Topic#: 241 )
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I see that ACS is now available on high-definition Blu-Ray DVD. Has anyone seen this yet. How does it compare with the latest standard def DVD? This new version apparently has no extras. The Blu-Ray players are still expensive but are part of the PS3.
I found the disk at [url]http://www.deepdiscount.com/Christmas-Story--Blu-ray-Disc-_stcVVproductId7362016VVviewprod.htm[/url] |
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Leg Lamps
Date: 12-04-2007
By: Jim R
( Topic#: 269 )
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I found this article on leg lamps and the movie house, thought I would share it with you.
http://www.guidepostsmag.com/WEEKLY_FEATURE.ASP?DATE=11/26/2007
Harding Class of '67
Morton Class of '72 |
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Hammond Newspaper Articles - Christmas 2007
Date: 12-27-2007
By: wvcogs
( Topic#: 277 )
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Check these links for articles related to THE MOVIE that appeared in the Northwest Indiana (Hammond) Times on Christmas Day 2007. I'm not sure just how long they will be available online......Ken...
[url]http://www.nwi.com/articles/2007/12/25/news/top_news/doc4c101c34627af0ee862573bb007cf9c2.txt[/url]
[url]http://www.nwi.com/articles/2007/12/25/news/top_news/doc5b5a547206ffb771862573bb006c6791.txt[/url] |
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Indiana Boys Re-create Flagpole Dare
Date: 01-26-2008
By: raccoonradio
( Topic#: 282 )
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http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,325845,00.html
Indiana Boys Left With Bleeding Tongues After Licking Flagpole
Excerpt: "CHESTERTON, Ind. — Two fourth-grade boys mimicking a scene from the movie "A Christmas Story" wound up with their tongues stuck to a frozen flagpole. Gavin Dempsey and James Alexander were serving on flag duty at Jackson Elementary School Friday morning, with the job of raising and lowering the school's flags. They decided to see if their tongues really would stick to the cold metal...Karen Alexander, James' mother , said her son told her he got the idea from the movie, which is based on stories about a boy growing up in the northwest Indiana community of Hammond in the 1940s."
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Christmas Memories
Date: 02-06-2008
By: wvcogs
( Topic#: 288 )
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The Christmases We Used to Know, a book published by Reiman Publications in 1996, is a collection of memories of Christmases past that were submitted by readers of "Reminisce" magazine. Two of the articles bring back thoughts of "A Christmas Story."
"About a week before Christmas in the late '40s and '50s, my mom and I dressed in our finest clothes, climbed onto a streetcar and made our annual trip to downtown Cleveland.
Downtown was glorious and safe in those days. Public square and all the stores were decked out with lights and beautiful decorations.
Higbee's Department Store on the square was known for its lavish and extravagant decorations...."
Another article about a high school choral group singing Christmas carols on a city bus in Hammond in the 1930s included this: "Crowded as those buses were, chivalry wasn't dead. Many a tired steel worker would stand gallantly in the aisle relinquishing his seat to some lady who had just spent the day galloping through Goldblatt's Department Store."
Ken... |
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One more use!
Date: 07-06-2008
By: Bill Bucko
( Topic#: 314 )
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This enterprising fellow found one more use for the famous Red Ryder BB gun:
from http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,376803,00.html
"Using his trusty BB gun to help him return to Earth, a 48-year-old gas station owner flew a lawn chair rigged with helium-filled balloons more than 200 miles across the Oregon desert Saturday, landing in a field in Idaho ...
"He takes his BB gun and shoots some balloons to lower himself to the ground ...
"For that job, he carried a Red Ryder BB gun ..."
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63 |
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wholesale max 88 89,j8+af1,j6+af1,j3+af1,adidas sl
Date: 07-29-2008
By: n/a
( Topic#: 323 )
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THE REAL FLICK !!!
Date: 08-17-2008
By: briz57
( Topic#: 331 )
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HI...
I'M NEW ON HERE, BUT WANTED TO SHARE...
THERE USED TO BE A BAR ON KENNEDY AV. JUST NORTH OF KENWOOD CALLED FLICKS....
I STOPPED IN THERE ONCE AND THERE WAS AN OLDER GUY IN THERE...
HE WAS THE OWNER AND WAS IN HIS LATE 60s OR EARLY 70s...
[THIS WAS IN 1990']
I STRUCK UP A CONVERSATION WITH HIM, AND CAME TO FIND OUT HE WAS "FLICK" FROM THE CHRISTMAS STORY FAME...
I DID HAVE TO ASK HIM ABOUT THE FLAG POLE THING....
HE SAID WITH A STRAIGHT FACE "THAT SHEPHERD IS FULL OF S***"
HE EXCLAIMED THAT MOST OF SHEP'S STORIES WERE SO EXAGGERATED.
AND SAID THAT SHEPHERD WAS A GREAT STORY TELLER EVEN WHEN HE WAS YOUNG... |
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Movie about ACS filming locations
Date: 11-07-2008
By: duane
( Topic#: 350 )
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I just heard about this DVD. Won't be available until later this month, but they guarantee delivery by Christmas.
Someone made a documentary about all the filming locations and other effluvia related to the Christmas Story.
Here's the link to their website!
http://www.roadtripforralphie.com/ |
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the line waiting for Santa
Date: 11-20-2008
By: hunna1977
( Topic#: 355 )
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Can anyone confirm whether the man who tells Ralphie that the line starts "back there" is none other than Jean Shepherd himself? It sounds just like him, but i cannot find a decent photo of Jean from that period to be certain. There is no mention in the credits that i can see either. Any comments?
Regards
Blue |
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Christmas Story live performance .
Date: 11-27-2008
By: cgn37vet
( Topic#: 358 )
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In my town of Lexington , SC one of the local theatre company is putting on a live performance/adaptation of ACS . Anyone else seen something like this in your area ? |
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Where Are They Now
Date: 12-08-2008
By: wvcogs
( Topic#: 360 )
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Here's a link to the latest article about the current whereabouts of the ACS cast members. It appears to have been published today, 12/08/08, in the New York Daily News.
[url="http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/galleries/where_are_they_now_a_christmas_story/where_are_they_now_a_christmas_story.html"]Cast Members[/url]
Ken... |
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News Article about Christmas Story
Date: 11-20-2009
By: duane
( Topic#: 515 )
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http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/article_85e28b32-5cab-54ef-87ba-f6879fe6d88b.html |
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Shepherd’s Sister-in-Law to Speak at Tennessee Rep
Date: 11-23-2009
By: lordsayet
( Topic#: 516 )
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Tennessee Repertory Theatre welcomes Jean Shepherd's sister-in-law, Dorothy Shepherd, as the featured speaker at Tennessee Rep InDepth Q & A following the Dec. 2 performance of A Christmas Story. Shepherd will be the celebrity cameo in that evening's performance; she will also be bringing the original Red Ryder BB gun used in the movie. Grecian's adaptation masterfully blends audience participation into the funniest moments of Jean Shepherd's tale. Tennessee Rep InDepth is an ongoing education/outreach program aimed at a more detailed exploration and discussion of the play. The show runs from Nov. 21 – Dec. 19 at Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Johnson Theater.
If a Shep weekend in Music City interests you, check out the Nashville Convention and Visitor's Bureau special hotel/show/t-shirt offer: http://travel-musiccityusa.com/Nashville/fe/Contents/P_Details.cfm?id=395&specCat=7&ts=56:57
For more information about the show, check out Tennesse Rep's A Christmas Story page on our website: http://tennesseerep.org/christmas_story.php
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Original Gun from the Movie
Date: 12-08-2009
By: lordsayet
( Topic#: 528 )
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Dorothy Shepherd was kind enough to let Tennessee Rep borrow the gun used in the movie. It will not, however, be used in the play.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=130012&id=28069317567&saved#/photo.php?pid=3176739&id=28069317567
http://www.facebook.com/tennesseerep#/photo.php?pid=3176738&id=28069317567 |
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Ralphy's Rabbit Suit
Date: 12-02-2010
By: Jim R
( Topic#: 627 )
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Found this while surfing around the tubes, just had to post it.
[url]http://www.brandsonsale.com/christmas-story-costumes.html[/url]
Harding K thru 7
Morton 8 thru 12
Class of 1972 |
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Great talk show with Scott Schwartz, ACS kids
Date: 04-05-2011
By: raccoonradio
( Topic#: 640 )
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Stu's Show is a weekly talk show on Shokus Internet Radio. In December Scott "Flick" Schwartz was there with 2 other actors who played Ralph's fellow kids (mostly in second hour). Go to the following link and scroll down
http://www.stusshow.com/2010.html
Look for:
PROGRAM 207 - 12/08/10 - A look back at the now cult classic 1983 feature, "A CHRISTMAS STORY" with guests SCOTT SCHWARTZ (Flick), ZACK WARD (Scut Farcus), and YANO ANAYA (Grover Dill).
Download it and listen on your comp. or dub to your mp3 player. This was a LOT of fun. |
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Christmas Story 2 - Sequel?? It is real
Date: 08-13-2012
By: duane
( Topic#: 774 )
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Unfortunately, it is true.
Coming direct to DVD this October.
I don't think this will be good.
More here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2281069/
and here:http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/7556/christmas_story2.html
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A Christmas Story: Now a Broadway Musical
Date: 11-20-2012
By: Brent
( Topic#: 780 )
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A Christmas Story has been turned into a Broadway musical. Here is the NY Times review:
[url]http://theater.nytimes.com/2012/11/20/theater/reviews/a-christmas-story-the-musical-at-the-lunt-fontanne-theater.html?_r=1&[/url] |
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