The world has gone to hell.

[shortbow]

I just looked through the TV guide rag that has all the cable stations we get in this wide spot in the road, something like 40 or so, and not on a single one is "A Christmas Story" listed during the holidays! What is Christmas if I don't get to watch Ralphy unwrap his Red Ryder? I am crushed. Is this just another example of PC run amok? Is there no hope?

 

[Geesie]

Sorry to say but while the movie seems to have a lot of nostalgic significance to boomers, Bob Clark is no Frank Capra.

 

[ScionPI2005]

It may just be one of those movies you have to get a DVD copy of and watch on your own time. Its hard to trust the cable channels...

 

[Mike in Seattle]

It's one of Ted Turner's favorites. As such, it runs repeatedly for 24 hours beginning at midnight EST Christmas. On his birthday, they do the same thing with Gone with the Wind.

 

[Rachael]

some kid probably shot his eye out. it was all fun and games until then

 

[Amy Jeanne]

Here in the States it's airing 24 hours straight on xmas eve on the TBS channel. Every single year they do this.

 

[rumblefish]

What is Christmas if I don't get to watch Ralphy unwrap his Red Ryder? I am crushed. Is this just another example of PC run amok? Is there no hope?

Ooooooohhhhhh fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuudge.

 

[dhermann1]

Get the book! "In God We Trust, Others Pay Cash"
http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?q...query=jean+shepherd&cm_sp=works*listing*title
They played an excerpt from the book on the radio the other evening. Much fun. It was the episode where Ralphie and his little brother visit Santa at the big department store. They played the original book read by the author, Jean Shepherd, who is also the narrator in the film.

 

[draws]

Sorry to say but while the movie seems to have a lot of nostalgic significance to boomers, Bob Clark is no Frank Capra.

Geesie, The kitchen is almost an exact replica of the kitchen we had in the late 40s. One difference was the gas water heater we had. It was tall (approx 3 feet), round (approx 1 foot) and made of iron with a round burner in the bottom that had to be lit by hand so that we could take baths.

There was also a small hole in the ceiling made by my fathers broom-stick handle when he tried to scare the mice that were running around above the ceiling. My brother and I used to laugh when the mice would poke their noses through the hole.

God, those were good times!!!!!!!!!!

 

[shortbow]

Thanks for the book tip. Was headed to the library today anyhow.

As to the DVD, our video joint doesn't have it.

 

[HatMagnet]

Bob Clark is no Frank Capra.

Well, for that matter no one else is either.

 

[Caity Lynn]

Don't have television, but I'm lucky I haven't had to watch that movie!!! I've pulled every string to keep my parents from getting it out...unfortunately I haven't gotten to watch a White Christmas either :'(

 

[Miss 1929]

"It's a Wonderful Life"

I haven't been able to find it on any station either. And it's my favorite. Funny, I have never seen all of "Christmas Story", just so many bits and snatches that I know the plot. Someday I will see the whole thing.

 

[get_atomized]

It wasn't on television today either (instead we watched a Star Trek movie marathon!) but my brother and his girlfriend got a Red Ryder and a leg lamp for Christmas from her parents!

 

[miss_elise]

to be honest I haven't seen either but I was most dismayed when I turned on the telly to be confronted by "A Carol Christmas" which was Tori Spelling does A Christmas Carol - Terrible!

 

[shortbow]

Oyez, all is not lost, was able to order the movie and two of Shepherd's books thru my library. With luck, shall get them Saturday.

Yea, there is a Santa.

 

[Burnsie]

Watched Ralphie 5 times over Christmas Eve and day. Not all the way through mind you, but the Ralphie-thon is always welcome on TBS.

 

[Bourbon Guy]

Don't have television, but I'm lucky I haven't had to watch that movie!!! I've pulled every string to keep my parents from getting it out...unfortunately I haven't gotten to watch a White Christmas either :'(

You sound like a barrel of laughs. Bet you unscrewed one bulb on the tree, just to make your dad look for it.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

I just found out the other day - most Canadian cable stations earlier this year started running a variation of TBS, and it didn't run the A Christmas Story marathon.

 

[univibe88]

Watched Ralphie 5 times over Christmas Eve and day. Not all the way through mind you, but the Ralphie-thon is always welcome on TBS.

The TBS marathon has become one of my favorite traditions. After the kids go to bed we watch it a couple of times while we finish Santa's work and drinking the last of the dinner wine (or opening another bottle.)

I love the two layers of nostalgia in this movie. First there is the setting which speaks to those who grew up in that time. Secondly it speaks to a younger generation that grew up watching it (it was released in 1983.)