Whenever I went to my in-laws’ for Christmas Eve, their grandchildren would like to switch to a TV channel that played “A Christmas Story” over and over and over and over. It would drive me crazy, being constantly in the background.
“…has become a classic in our family and is always shown at least a couple of times in the background on Christmas eve.”
I’ve never been a fan of “in the background”. Not in stores, pubs, gyms, nor at home, and especially not walking around with something plugged into my ears.
Whatever it is, if I’m not going to give it close attention, I don’t want it interfering with those things I am attending to.
Jean Shepherd was an absolute genius. Loved this movie since I saw it in a theatre. Greatest radio program on WOR for years, and books were amazing. But somehow this seems like a lousy commercial. Words of wisdom: In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash
Although actress Irene Dunne was born in the same year as my grandmother, I had a crush on her. Early on, she was known as “Queen of the Weepies.” But later in her career she made several classic screwball comedies. Several were with Cary Grant.
One she made with him was “Penny Serenade,” a combination comedy-tragedy-romance. I sometimes watch it during the Holidays, instead of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It also has a Christmas theme embedded in the plot.
I would not recommend it for viewing at a Holiday party, however, as it has a child’s death in it. I watch it alone. I have melancholy this time of the year, and the movie helps me vent somewhat. The movie also parallels certain events in in the marriage of my late parents.
Another movie I now watch this time of year — bittersweet, but intrinsically optimistic — is a foreign movie, “Babette’s Feast.”
Here is how I remember it. For decades, “It’s a Wonderful Life” ruled Christmas. It was on some TV channel almost every night in December. But in the 1990s, as the 50th anniversary of the film drew close, the company that owned the rights would not let it be shown for a year or two so there’d be lots of anticipation for one big showing on network TV.
The TV channels had become accustomed to having a film they could play over and over in the holiday season that cost almost nothing to license. They needed a replacement. Many of them settled on “A Christmas Story.” And so a whole generation discovered what a fun film it is.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” never recovered its previous place. Sure, it still gets played but it’s no longer the King of Christmas Movies. Frankly, I’ve always thought it is an odd mix of dark, sappy, and preachy. “A Christmas Story” is more lighthearted and enjoyable.
Not a fan of Christmas movies – or Christmas. Yeah, yeah – bah humbug. While people are at home spending money they don’t have for things people don’t need or want, that leaves a lot of cheap hotel deals for me.Do they still make L’Eggs?
As someone who is skeptical of the actual humor value of puns, this one is a rare gem! I count 7 “Christmas Story” related puns/gags! Excellent and Merry Christmas, Mr. Hilburn!
ronaldspence 11 months ago
it’s a major award…yippee-aye-yo-kay yay!
Bilan 11 months ago
Shouldn’t the You’ll-shoot-your-RYE-out be next to the Red Ryder b.b. gum?
Gent 11 months ago
If it Le Eggs then French.
PraiseofFolly 11 months ago
Whenever I went to my in-laws’ for Christmas Eve, their grandchildren would like to switch to a TV channel that played “A Christmas Story” over and over and over and over. It would drive me crazy, being constantly in the background.
nosirrom 11 months ago
Don’t forget the soap. You’ll need it after you get a flat on the way home.
Little Caesar 11 months ago
Has anybody seen Flick?
iggyman 11 months ago
Triple Dog Dare hot dog buns!, good one!
farside2000 Premium Member 11 months ago
Awesome!! A gr8 Christmas Classic! Merry Christmas to All!
ladykat 11 months ago
Ovaltine??!! I haven’t had that in years!
My First Premium Member 11 months ago
I need a decoder to get these jokes.
[Traveler] Premium Member 11 months ago
Official Red Ryder carbine action 200 shot range model air rifle
e.groves 11 months ago
Where’s the fudge?
gammaguy 11 months ago
“…has become a classic in our family and is always shown at least a couple of times in the background on Christmas eve.”
I’ve never been a fan of “in the background”. Not in stores, pubs, gyms, nor at home, and especially not walking around with something plugged into my ears.
Whatever it is, if I’m not going to give it close attention, I don’t want it interfering with those things I am attending to.
treutvid 11 months ago
Jean Shepherd was an absolute genius. Loved this movie since I saw it in a theatre. Greatest radio program on WOR for years, and books were amazing. But somehow this seems like a lousy commercial. Words of wisdom: In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash
WDDIM 11 months ago
Time to return home to the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window.
Lee26 Premium Member 11 months ago
One of these days I am gonna have to watch that movie, lol.
DaBump Premium Member 11 months ago
Don’t you mean, A Christmas Stor-E?
PraiseofFolly 11 months ago
This is somewhat off-topic:
Although actress Irene Dunne was born in the same year as my grandmother, I had a crush on her. Early on, she was known as “Queen of the Weepies.” But later in her career she made several classic screwball comedies. Several were with Cary Grant.
One she made with him was “Penny Serenade,” a combination comedy-tragedy-romance. I sometimes watch it during the Holidays, instead of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It also has a Christmas theme embedded in the plot.
I would not recommend it for viewing at a Holiday party, however, as it has a child’s death in it. I watch it alone. I have melancholy this time of the year, and the movie helps me vent somewhat. The movie also parallels certain events in in the marriage of my late parents.
Another movie I now watch this time of year — bittersweet, but intrinsically optimistic — is a foreign movie, “Babette’s Feast.”
Zebrastripes 11 months ago
Merry Christmas everyone! ☺️
jel354 11 months ago
Careful. They are fra-g-il-e (fragile in ,“Italian”).
Ed The Red Premium Member 11 months ago
Here is how I remember it. For decades, “It’s a Wonderful Life” ruled Christmas. It was on some TV channel almost every night in December. But in the 1990s, as the 50th anniversary of the film drew close, the company that owned the rights would not let it be shown for a year or two so there’d be lots of anticipation for one big showing on network TV.
The TV channels had become accustomed to having a film they could play over and over in the holiday season that cost almost nothing to license. They needed a replacement. Many of them settled on “A Christmas Story.” And so a whole generation discovered what a fun film it is.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” never recovered its previous place. Sure, it still gets played but it’s no longer the King of Christmas Movies. Frankly, I’ve always thought it is an odd mix of dark, sappy, and preachy. “A Christmas Story” is more lighthearted and enjoyable.
Queen of America 11 months ago
Not a fan of Christmas movies – or Christmas. Yeah, yeah – bah humbug. While people are at home spending money they don’t have for things people don’t need or want, that leaves a lot of cheap hotel deals for me.Do they still make L’Eggs?
paranormal 11 months ago
Wouldn’t that be French?
WCraft Premium Member 11 months ago
As someone who is skeptical of the actual humor value of puns, this one is a rare gem! I count 7 “Christmas Story” related puns/gags! Excellent and Merry Christmas, Mr. Hilburn!
mpolo11 Premium Member 11 months ago
Perfect!
RonBerg13 Premium Member 11 months ago
Pretty punny, from a certain point of view.
Merry Christmas.
chief tommy 11 months ago
this is hilarious - you get a Major Award
zeexenon 11 months ago
‘Been to Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland. Does that count?
Richard S Russell Premium Member 11 months ago
Is that Randy in the lower left?
Happy Tinkerbelle Premium Member 11 months ago
rdb72 11 months ago
You know I’ve never seen this movie.
blackman2732 11 months ago
Best. Christmas movie. Ever.
stamps 11 months ago
Ovaltine. I remember ovaltine. Horrid stuff.
Nuliajuk 11 months ago
I haven’t seen L’Eggs pantyhose in the plastic eggs in decades. I think they stopped doing that in about 1991.