If you like "A Christmas Story", you'll love this

While you enjoy the 24 hour marathon of the classic holiday film, "A Christmas Story", here a few fun facts for you.

You may or may not know this, but when this movie was released in  theaters, it was not a hit. In fact, it bombed. It only became a hit after it was released on video. It was one of the first movies to have more success in the video format than during it's original release.

The writer of the film is a man named Jean Shepherd. It's based on his book, "In God We Trust, All Other Pay Cash". The film is semi-autobiographical about Shepherd's life going up in Hammond, Indiana.

When it came time to cast the voice talent to do the narration for the film, producers screened hundreds of actors. In the meantime, Shepherd had cut a 'scratch' track for the film. Scratch tracks are used for editing and are usually replaced in the final project with a professional voice actor.

Upon further examination of the scratch track, the producers decided that their search was futile. Who could read it better than the man who lived it?

So Jean Shepherd became not only the writer of one of the most famous Christmas movies of all time, but the narrator as well.

And his work in this area is outstanding. Especially when he reads the description of such things as the Bumpus hounds and the leg lamp.

If the producers had chosen another narrator, it's a sure bet that that person wouldn't have provided the amazing narrative that Shepherd seems to effortlessly infuse into the film.

The film itself has also spawned a cult following that led to an overwhelming market for memorabilia.

In 2004, an entrepreneur bought the Cleveland, Ohio, home that was used in the film. After extensive renovations, the Christmas Story House and Museum opened to the public in 2006.

The site is open year round and features behind-the-scenes photos as well as a gift shop where you can pick up your own 'Major Award'.

One of the coolest things about the Christmas Story House and Museum is that every year there is an auction for the privilege of spending Christmas in the house! All of the money from the auction goes to charity.

For more on the Christmas Story House and Museum, click here.

The final interesting thing that I want to talk about in this post is for true film fans.

It's about the director of the film, a man named Bob Clark.

Clark had an interesting career prior to directing "A Christmas Story".

He started in the horror genre with "Black Christmas" and "Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things"

Then he segued to teen comedy, directing both "Porky's" and "Porky's II: the Next Day".

It was because of the success of "Porky's" that he was able to helm "A Christmas Story" and much like Shepherd's involvement, many feel that this movie would not have been the success it is without the guidance of Bob Clark.

Recently, I saw an excellent documentary about Bob Clark entitled "ClarkWorld".   

It's slightly over an hour long and features interviews with Peter Billingsley, Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder, Kim Cattrall, Jon Voight, Scott Baio, Mary Steenburgen and film critic Richard Roeper.

It's a fine tribute to a man who made the films he wanted to make and had a career every director would envy.  

Sadly, Clark died far too young in a senseless accident. It's a shame that we'll never get to know what other films he would have shaped for his fans.

To find out more about "ClarkWorld", click here.

                             

So kick back and enjoy "A Christmas Story" this holiday season. It's a true classic worth repeated viewing.