A Christmas Story: Behind the Scenes of a Holiday Classic

by Caseen Gaines, Wil Wheaton (Foreword by), Eugene B. Bergmann (Foreword by)

Overview

“The definitive book about Bob Clark’s 1983 classic holiday film.” — Parade

A delightful gift book with rare and previously unreleased photographs, behind-the-scenes insight, and interviews with the stars of the beloved film

Learn about the special effects required to stick Flick’s tongue to the frozen pole, the film’s unlikely rise to fame after a mediocre theater debut, and which famous actor Darren McGavin beat out for the role of the Old Man

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 engaging book reveals — and celebrates — the inside scoop behind the film’s production, release, and unlikely ascent to the top of popular culture.

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 conclude 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, this book provides fans of the movie and film buffs alike with all they didn’t know about the timeless classic.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781770411401
Publisher:	ECW Press
Publication date:	10/01/2013
Edition description:	Media Tie
Pages:	232
Sales rank:	449,725
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 10.30(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Caseen Gaines is a pop culture enthusiast and the author of Inside Pee-wee’s Playhouse (2011). He lives in New Jersey.

Table of Contents

My Christmas Story by Wil Wheaton

Christmas Revisited: Minor Disasters and Happy Endings by Eugene B. Bergman

Introduction / xxi

1. The Ten-Year Itch

2. Atop Mighty Mount Olympus

3. St. Catharines and the No-Show Snow

4. Indiana, Canada

5. Reconstructing Christmas

6. Explorers Road Trip for Ralphie

7. This Little Piggy Came Home

8. Zack the Bully, Toady, and Nameless Victim

9. Applauding the Geniuses on Cleveland Street

10. The Shark and the Real Turkey

Notes

Acknowledgements

Index

Editorial Reviews

Caseen Gaines should be very proud of what he has done with this book. He has lovingly pulled back the curtain of a film we have grown to know so well...I do not hesitate for a second to recommend it to any fan of the film.” — The Retroist

“Caseen Gaines...has written the most comprehensive book on the history and making of the movie...This is definitely a book that any fan of the movie must have on their shelf, not only to read, but to use as a reference.” — Flick’s Tongue blog

“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

From the Publisher