MovieChat Forums > A Christmas Story (1983) Discussion > Favorite Parts, Lines, Whatever

Favorite Parts, Lines, Whatever

posted 7 years ago by moogie (205)
24 replies | jump to latest

I love this movie and as someone else posted, it just isn't Christmas without watching it. Well done, I love the nostalgic setting and old school thinking. And always a Kolchak fan I love Darren McGavin in this roll. So many funny scenes like when he is in his jammies reading the paper and the hounds come running past, the look on his face as he watches his son be a "little piggy" at the dinner table or his reaction when the bowling ball gets put in his lap. But the part that floods me with tears every time is Christmas morning sitting on the couch, he tells Ralphie he thinks he sees something in the corner. Our hearts are swelling as the shape of the box has immediately put high hopes back into Ralphie's mind, and this whole wonderful scene captures so many heart warming meaningful Christmas feelings; McGavin's excitement watching his son's expressions as he tears the wrapping off, checking that Ralphie knows how to use the gun and mimicking him pouring the BB's in ... one wonders which kid is the more excited.

[–] nutsberryfarm (286) 7 years ago

those bumpuses hounds!

[–] [email protected] (5854) 7 years ago

I love the dad's excitement about his "major award". It's "brain power".

He reads the crate, "fra-gee-lee. It most be Italian." "No, that's fragile dear."

Ralphie wearing the gift that his aunt sent him, a furry bunny suit. "The kid looks like a pink nightmare."

And of course, Ralphie, Randy and the other boys being terrorized by Scut Farkas. "In our world you were either a bully, a toady, or one of the nameless rabble of victims."

[–] nutsberryfarm (286) 7 years ago

got my scut farkas hat on.

[–] csweetleaf2 (3669) 7 years ago

"Don't you give me that look, you're gonna get it!" from the mother.

[–] kathykato (97) 7 years ago

Fa rah rah rah rah
rah rah rah rah

[–] nutsberryfarm (286) 7 years ago

pass the egg rolls!

[–] nutsberryfarm (286) 7 years ago

oh my!

[–] melloeric (28) 7 years ago

"You used up all the glue on purpose!"

[–] ShogunofYonkers (77369) 7 years ago

Every frame was perfect
My favorite Christmas movie of them all
And yes, every dad has a bit of McGavin lol

[–] [email protected] (5854) 7 years ago

I love the dad's fondness for "interesting" newspaper articles, like the guy who swallowed a yo-yo.

"This is real news, not that politics slop." My own father felt the same way about politics, just give him the sports page and he was happy.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (77369) 7 years ago

Your Pop seems a wise fellow:)
Sports and weather for me...
The rest is all a great big sad mess and life is just too short

[–] [email protected] (5854) 7 years ago

He was pretty wise. He had a cynical, no nonsense attitude about life and hated all politicians (of either party).
He never won a leg lamp though. "It's indescribably beautiful." lol

[–] ShogunofYonkers (77369) 7 years ago

Sadly ive never won a leg lamp either
i am very patient though!

[–] ReturnOfWhiskey (70) 7 years ago

Any and every scene with Scut Farkas was the best

*cue the Farkas laugh*

[–] nutsberryfarm (286) 7 years ago

scut is a legend.

[–] [email protected] (5854) 7 years ago

But he had yellow eyes. "I swear he had yellow eyes."

The actor who played him said that he got recognized a lot for being the bully and almost got beat up a few times because of it!

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

I agree with you 100 percent. The Christmas morning scene reminds me of the Christmases I had as a child, and every time I watch it I cry happy tears and wish my Mom and Dad were still alive. I had a wonderful childhood (And I am starting to tear up as I type this!)

[–] moogie (205) 6 years ago

What a wonderful reply! Thank You.

[–] strntz (12224) 6 years ago

We weren't rich, but I wouldn't trade my childhood for anyone's.

My wife and I did the same for our kids.

[–] ChalupaBatman99 (188) 6 years ago

Even though I didn't grow up in the '40s, I feel like this is how Christmas is supposed to be. The snow, the childhood wonder, mom and dad, getting that present you soooo wanted but never thought you'd get, writing letters to Santa at school, the big fancy department store etc. etc.

[–] moogie (205) 6 years ago

I agree. I am old school and would rather believe that this is how Christmas is supposed to be. Thank you all for your heartwarming replies.

[–] Moonglum9 (11267) 6 years ago

When George Bailey said "Look Mary, everyone gave me money so I won't kill myself."

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8707) 6 years ago

I still have a very vague memory of watching A Christmas Story for the first time. I was young, probably only five or six or so. I remember riding with my mom and stepdad to the video store and they said we were going to pick the movie up and I had never heard of it before.

I'm glad that the whole story revolves around a Red Ryder BB gun. For me, that hearkens back to an earlier and largely better America. It seems like today a film with such a plot would never be made, with all the attempts being made to emasculate young boys.

I actually ended up getting a Red Ryder for Christmas myself just a few years after seeing this film. It served me well!