A Christmas Story
(MGM, 1983)
I first saw this movie on a double date the weekend it opened in 1983,and I have the scars from shooting soda through my nostrils to prove it. The hands-down most screamingly funny Christmas movie ever made, propelled by a masterpiece of a story narrated by the author himself, and delivered by a truly inspired selection of actors. A sleeper at the time, only repeated TV and cable exposure has gotten it a deserved ranking as one of the biggest Christmas movie favorites of all time.
One of my favorites. "A compass in the stock, and this thing which tells time," "a tapestry of obscenity," and "It's a Major Award!" are recurring parts of my family lexicon.
ReplyDeleteHas "A White Christmas" made the list? Or is it predictable, formulaic schlock? I'll still like it whatever the answer.
Last year at a local fun show, a gentleman had an actual vintage Daisy Red Ryder "with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time".
ReplyDeleteThe compass was mounted in the top edge of the butt, so the metal gun wouldn't throw it off, and the "thing which tells time" was a sundial, carved into the wood stock. I actually got to touch it, just to say I had.
Holiday Inn wasn't quite schlock. But even Rosemary Clooney's phenomenal singing and Danny Kaye doing everything wasn't enough to push it onto the list. It was formulaic Technicolor to cash in on the original. Which will appear presently.
Are "Holiday Inn" and "White Christmas" the same movie? I always thought the similarities bordered on the criminal.
ReplyDeleteAfter a brief trip to IMDB:
ReplyDeleteThey both had Bing Crosby, but different sidekicks and different chicks.
White Christmas was Bing, Danny, Rosemary, and Anne O'Rexia... er... Vera-Ellen.
Eagerly awaiting the revelation of what is the original. I may not see your response for a while. I'm off in the AM for points north to attempt to slay Bambi's mother.
"My father worked in obscenity like other artists worked in oils or clay. It was his medium...a true master."
ReplyDelete