Lights, so many Lights

I write this at Christmas time, when one pastime can be watching old holiday movies. A Christmas Story, a film made by Bob Clark, was released in 1983. Not a lot of people saw it at first, but over the years it has become a modern Christmas classic. It's the story of Ralphie, a boy who dreams of nothing but a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Set in 1940s Indiana, Ralphie tries to convince everyone the gift is perfect, and everyone replies with the same phrase, "you'll shoot your eye out."

It's a funny movie, a story well told, about growing up in the U.S. and running the alley gauntlet from the neighborhood bullies. The boys' friend Flick is the victim of the freezing flag pole-playground dare "I triple-dog dare you to lick it!". Loyal to the end, he doesn't rat on his friends even after a local fire house is called to bring a hose and detach him from the pole.

One wonders where the story is going, as the idealistic father wins a prize in a contest - when it arrives, it's a lamp in pieces in a big crate. As it's assembled, it comes together as a stockinged, stilettoed leg, and its short skirt is the lampshade. The husband is thrilled; the wife, horrified. I won't give anything away here but let me just say it becomes a point of contention.

The kids listen to radio shows and win decoder rings as prizes for sending off to Ovaltine. Ralphie's teacher only gives him a C+ on his essay about his carbine BB gun, writing in red letters at the bottom, "you'll shoot your eye out!". Ralphie even goes so far as to hedge his bet by making a visit to the department store Santa, in pursuing his perfect Xmas gift.

I like their Christmas morning - younger brother Randy gets a toy Zeppelin, the father a can of Simonize - there are paper and boxes everywhere. The story has twists and surprises up until the end, and I can see why some consider it a classic. Get your hot chocolate, egg nog, champagne or whatever helps you celebrate and sit down with the family for this one. Light, a comedy, the movie comes up with the real flavor based on a true story.

I close with a note about the photos - interior shots of the Madonna Inn in central California. Stop and see it sometime. There's a little bit of Christmas everywhere, just as long as people care.