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Joulutarina

Original title: A Christmas Story
  • 1983
  • S
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
168K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,315
453
Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Jeff Gillen, and Darren McGavin in Joulutarina (1983)
Official Clip: It's a Major Award!
Play trailer0:54
11 Videos
99+ Photos
ComedyFamily

In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie Parker attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie Parker attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie Parker attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.

  • Director
    • Bob Clark
  • Writers
    • Jean Shepherd
    • Leigh Brown
    • Bob Clark
  • Stars
    • Peter Billingsley
    • Melinda Dillon
    • Darren McGavin
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    168K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,315
    453
    • Director
      • Bob Clark
    • Writers
      • Jean Shepherd
      • Leigh Brown
      • Bob Clark
    • Stars
      • Peter Billingsley
      • Melinda Dillon
      • Darren McGavin
    • 616User reviews
    • 103Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 11 nominations

    Videos11

    A Christmas Story
    Trailer 0:54
    Watch A Christmas Story
    A Christmas Story
    Trailer 1:22
    Watch A Christmas Story
    10 Top-Rated Holiday Classics to Stream Now
    Clip 2:12
    Watch 10 Top-Rated Holiday Classics to Stream Now
    'A Christmas Story' | Spotlight
    Clip 1:23
    Watch 'A Christmas Story' | Spotlight
    The Worst Gifts in Our Favorite Holiday Films
    Clip 2:37
    Watch The Worst Gifts in Our Favorite Holiday Films
    Holiday Movies and TV Specials That Get You in the Spirit
    Clip 2:06
    Watch Holiday Movies and TV Specials That Get You in the Spirit
    A Christmas Story: Ultimate Collector's Edition: Walk To School
    Clip 1:09
    Watch A Christmas Story: Ultimate Collector's Edition: Walk To School
    Which 8 Christmas Movies Almost Had Completely Different Stars?
    Video 2:34
    Watch Which 8 Christmas Movies Almost Had Completely Different Stars?
    You Just Watched: 'A Christmas Story'
    Video 4:40
    Watch You Just Watched: 'A Christmas Story'
    Dates in Movie & TV History: Christmas Eve
    Video 2:08
    Watch Dates in Movie & TV History: Christmas Eve
    "No Small Parts" IMDb Exclusive: Peter Billingsley
    Video 2:22
    Watch "No Small Parts" IMDb Exclusive: Peter Billingsley

    Photos193

    Peter Billingsley in Joulutarina (1983)
    Peter Billingsley and Jeff Gillen in Joulutarina (1983)
    Peter Billingsley in Joulutarina (1983)
    Peter Billingsley and Melinda Dillon in Joulutarina (1983)
    Peter Billingsley and Scott Schwartz in Joulutarina (1983)
    Peter Billingsley in Joulutarina (1983)
    Peter Billingsley and Jeff Gillen in Joulutarina (1983)
    Peter Billingsley in Joulutarina (1983)
    Peter Billingsley at an event for Joulutarina (1983)
    RD Robb at an event for Joulutarina (1983)
    Peter Billingsley, Bob Clark, RD Robb, Scott Schwartz, and Zack Ward at an event for Joulutarina (1983)
    Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Jeff Gillen, and Scott Schwartz in Joulutarina (1983)

    Cast

    Edit
    Peter Billingsley
    Peter Billingsley
    • Ralphie Parker
    Melinda Dillon
    Melinda Dillon
    • Mother Parker
    Darren McGavin
    Darren McGavin
    • The Old Man Parker
    Scott Schwartz
    Scott Schwartz
    • Flick
    Jean Shepherd
    • Ralphie as an Adult
    • (voice)
    Ian Petrella
    • Randy Parker
    Tedde Moore
    • Miss Shields
    RD Robb
    RD Robb
    • Schwartz
    • (as R.D. Robb)
    Zack Ward
    Zack Ward
    • Scut Farkus
    Yano Anaya
    • Grover Dill
    • Director
      • Bob Clark
    • Writers
      • Jean Shepherd
      • Leigh Brown
      • Bob Clark
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      For the scene in which Flick's tongue sticks to the flagpole, a hidden suction tube was used to safely create the illusion that his tongue had frozen to the metal.
    • Goofs
      A kid in a classroom scene has a The Dukes of Hazzard (1979) digital watch.
    • Quotes

      Ralphie as an Adult: [narrating] Only one thing in the world could've dragged me away from the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window.

    • Crazy credits
      Early home video copies contained the following text immediately after the end credits:

      "THIS TRANSFER IS DEDICATED TO 'POPPY' JOE BLUTH 1984."
    • Alternate versions
      Theatrical and home video versions have the end credits scrolling in red text over a shot of the Parker house. The airings on TBS in the United States have the credits on white over a black background. This also happened on the Cartoon Network airing as well.
    • Connections
      Edited into A Christmas Story Christmas (2022)
    • Soundtracks
      The Hut-Sut Song (A Swedish Serenade)
      Written by Leo Killion, Ted McMichael, and Jack Owens

      Performed by Sammy Kaye and His Orchestra

    User reviews616

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Christmas Classic
    A Christmas Story touches my heart as does no other film, and I know the reason for this is because it reminds me so much of my own 1950's boyhood. For sure it strikes a nerve in persons of my generation. This is Bob Clark's masterpiece and I know I am not the only person who feels this way.

    I am going to assume that, if you are reading this, chances are you have seen the film; indeed, probably have seen it countless times as I have. This is not a film review in the normal sense. It is more a reminiscence and appreciation of a great story captured for all time in moving pictures which, in turn, captured the essence of the time and place of its setting; that time and setting being a typical town in Indiana during Christmas season in the 1940s as we observe a typical family (the Parkers) with two young sons named Ralphie and Randy.

    Most of us over the age of 50 can relate very well to the story's key elements. I recall vividly family outings to crowded downtown sidewalks, Mom and Dad squeezing in a season's worth of shopping in one day and doing it under the nose of one who had a visit to Santa Claus on his mind. Staring at the prominent HIGBEES sign in the downtown square, I could almost see the words John A. Brown in its place. Browns was the main department store in my hometown of Oklahoma City and the place where I would make my annual visit with Santa Claus.

    I am sure most who have seen the film realize this is Ralphie's story, but Melinda Dillon as the typical 1940's stay-at-home mom and Darren McGavin as the grumpy but kindly father made the story work. The stove in the Parker's kitchen reminds much of the one my grandmother had, and the rest of the house reminded me of the home my other grandparents lived in. As you see, viewing A Christmas Story is always a magical experience for me. It is almost as if Mr. Clark made this film with Tom Fowler in mind.

    There are so many comments to make. It will be impossible to relate them all in a short review, but here are some that I know people my age will be most familiar with:

    Beautiful toys displayed in department store windows. The agonizingly long wait for toys ordered via mail and learning too late they are not quite what was expected. The excitement of buying a Christmas tree, the joy of setting it up and how much bigger Christmas trees seemed then. Neighborhood bullies who were not nearly as tough as they seemed. Ralphie wanting a BB gun more than life itself. Mom covering trouble for Ralphie to his dad, and the same mom making him eat soap for uttering words -- learned from Dad. Randy sitting underneath the kitchen sink when depressed. A panicky visit to a tired Santa. An unwanted gift from a well-meaning aunt. The furious unwrapping of gifts on Christmas morning. I could go on and on. I will make two more observations and then will sign off and let somebody else speak.

    In the film's sweetest scene, we see Dad coming through for his son at the last possible moment. To see the look on young Ralphie's (ably played by Peter Billingsley) face as he unwraps his best and last gift is one of filmdom's true golden moments.

    But, for me the best moment was the last. Ralphie is in bed at film's end. We see snow outside and Ralphie dreaming of his wonderful gift, as the story's author and narrator Jean Shepherd, speaking as the grown up Ralphie, realizes this was the best Christmas he ever had, or ever would have.

    If you are middle age or older and have not seen A Christmas Story, you are perhaps unaware that you have cheated yourself. Buy or rent the 2003 20th anniversary DVD. It will be the best money you spend this Christmas -- or any Christmas.
    helpful•115
    29
    • Tommy-5
    • Dec 8, 2005

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    FAQ26

    • How long is A Christmas Story?Powered by Alexa
    • What is 'A Christmas Story' about?
    • Is this movie based on a book?
    • When and where does the story take place?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 6, 1984 (Finland)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Official site
      • Warner Bros. DVD site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Eräs joululahja
    • Filming locations
      • 3159 W. 11th Street, Cleveland, Ohio, USA(exterior of Ralphie's house)
    • Production companies
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
      • Christmas Tree Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,300,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $20,778,141
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,072,473
      • Nov 20, 1983
    • Gross worldwide
      • $20,791,797
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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