A Boy, a House, a BB Gun and a Major Award
"A Christmas Story" Nostalgia

"A Christmas Story," the tale of young Ralphie and his quest for the ultimate Christmas toy, the Red Ryder BB Gun, has become as much a part of our Christmas folklore as George Bailey and Kris Kringle.

The story comes from a 1966 book by Jean Shepherd, In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash, but most of us know it from the 1981 film starring Peter Billingsley and Darrin McGavin. The movie recreates Christmas time in Indiana in the early the early 1940s and is based on the life of the author.

Technically…this is not a boomer-era story but it does capture the spirit of mid-century Christmas. Despite the war and other changes in the world during the decade, there does not appear to be much difference between Christmas in 1940 and Christmas in 1950. And, today, all ages seem to love this film.

While set in Indiana, the movie was actually filmed in Cleveland, and the house used in the film still stands at 3159 W. 11th St. in Cleveland. In fact, it is now the A Christmas Story Museum featuring original props and memorabilia from the film. The museum held its Grand Opening this year in November. Also in the city is the Higbee’s Department Store building, no longer Higbees but still displaying the sign and windows that once held real “electric joy” for the kids of Cleveland.

Shepherd was a native son of Hammond, Indiana, and that town, too, remembers the story and its author. In fact, Hammond built the Jean Shepherd Community Center in honor of the author.

For fans of the movie, the story and its author, there are several websites including the Jean Shepherd Website that features recordings of the authors’ works and links to sites about the author and the movie. A Christmas Story House Museum includes links to fan sites and even sites by some of the cast members. They also host a great trivia page!

— Betty