As a seasoned gamer who’s spent countless winter nights marathoning films during holiday seasons, I can confidently say that “A Christmas Story” is one of those rare cinematic gems that has stood the test of time and become an integral part of my own festive traditions. From its quaint subversiveness to its unparalleled evocation of 1940s Indiana childhood, this film tugs at the heartstrings in a way few others can.
Initially, Bob Clark’s “A Christmas Story” didn’t find immediate popularity when it was released in November 1983. With only moderate commercial and critical reception, the film didn’t create as big an impact during its initial run as one would anticipate from a movie now widely associated with Christmas. Instead, its entry into the holiday tradition happened more organically – in homes, through home video sales and annual television marathons that ranked highly. This gradual process transformed “A Christmas Story” into a cherished annual tradition for many.
Among contemporary Christmas films, few capture the essence of the holiday season as flawlessly and vividly as “A Christmas Story.” Based on semi-autobiographical tales penned by American humorist Jean Shepherd, who also lends his voice to the film, this timeless classic masterfully combines raw edge with heartwarming sweetness, cynicism with sincerity, and wit with warmth.
Contrary to the nostalgic portrayal of Hohman, Indiana in the film “A Christmas Story,” it’s interesting to note that neither the original movie nor its 2022 sequel “A Christmas Story Christmas” were shot in Indiana. Keep reading to discover where these iconic holiday films were actually filmed instead.
A Christmas Story was shot in Toronto and Cleveland
As a gamer, I’d say, “You know, during the festive season, ‘A Christmas Story’ unfolds primarily within the Parker household. This cinematic masterpiece was brought to you by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, but here’s an interesting twist – although the movie, its creators Bob Clark and Jean Shepherd, MGM, and the American characters are all from the States, this heartwarming tale was actually considered a Canadian co-production back then. It even earned nominations for five Genie Awards, which were Canada’s highest film honors before they merged into the Canadian Screen Awards. The film bagged awards for best direction and best screenplay, making us Canadians pretty proud of our contribution to this classic holiday movie!
For the filming of certain key locations, it wasn’t Indiana but Cleveland, Ohio where some scenes were captured instead. The exterior of the Parkers’ house was filmed using a genuine house in Tremont, which has been refurbished to resemble its movie appearance and now welcomes visitors as a tourist attraction. Scenes inside and around Higbee’s store, where Ralphie first lays eyes on the rifle, were actually shot in the original Higbee’s store situated on Public Square, before it was renamed Dillard’s.
In the meantime, some shooting locations were actually filmed in Toronto earlier on. The former Victoria School served as Ralphie’s school, the bridge where Ralphie and his father (Darren McGavin) changed a tire is now the Cherry Street Bridge in Port Lands, while the Bo ling Chop Suey Palace was an East Chinatown restaurant that has since been replaced by a French eatery.
A Christmas Story Christmas also filmed in Bulgaria and Hungary
Originally titled “A Christmas Story,” this classic film actually has three follow-ups. The first, released in 1994 as “My Summer Story” or “It Runs in the Family,” was directed by Bob Clark, with Kieran Culkin portraying Ralphie. The second, “A Christmas Story 2,” a direct-to-video release in 2012 that was widely disliked, did not involve any of the original cast or creators. Lastly, there’s “A Christmas Story Christmas” which reassembled much of the original cast and debuted on HBO Max in 2022.
Each act independently follows up on the original storyline, disregarding earlier attempts at sequels, thus offering fans of “A Christmas Story” multiple options to choose from for their preferred continuation. Notably, the most well-liked and cherished sequel currently is “A Christmas Story Christmas,” which served as a respectful and faithful legacy sequel, filled with hidden references and subtle details that might have gone unnoticed.
To maintain authenticity in recreating “A Christmas Story”, they went as far as revisiting certain locations from the original film, such as Higbee’s department store in Cleveland and several spots in Toronto. Moreover, the production team included two European destinations: Bulgaria and Hungary. Many scenes were filmed in Sofia due to its snowy climate and lower construction costs compared to Los Angeles, while some additional work was carried out in Hungary as well.
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2024-11-27 06:00