A Christmas Story ~ a 1983 Film

What is now a Christmas classic was filmed in part in Cleveland, Ohio. The house at 3159 W. 11th St was used for exterior shots of the Parker's home, and an entrepreneur has since reconfigured it to match the interior sound stage sets. It's open for tours and there is also a gift shop across the street. If you're a fan of the film, this is a great stop in Cleveland.

The backyard is complete with shed and fence.

Interior photos

You  might wonder why the crate says "His End Up" if you noticed 😊

The crate had to be trimmed while filming in order to get into the house. There you have it.

After we toured the house, we walked across the street to the gift shop.

The movie is based on some of the short stories by Jean Shepherd, published in 1966 as "In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash." The stories are somewhat autobiographical but fiction is mixed freely with fact. In 2003, four of the stories used for the movie, plus one story from Shepherd's second book, were published together as "A Christmas Story."

The screenplay for the movie was written by Jean Shepherd, his 4th wife Leigh Brown, and the movie director, Bob Clark. And all three of them had cameos in the movie. Jean and Leigh were the man and woman in the Santa line when Jean directs Ralphie & Randy to the back of the line. Jean is also the adult Ralph narrator. Bob Clark is the Swede who is admiring the leg lamp with the Old Man. There is a bench outside of the gift shop in Clark's honor.

Jean Shepherd grew up in Hammond, Indiana, and the Welcome Center there has a complete map to Shepherd sites. We just took in the Welcome Center, featuring Flick and the flagpole (7770 Corinne Drive).

For a fun read about the movie, pick up this book by Quentin Schultze. You'll find tidbits like the "His Side Up" mentioned earlier, and much more from the author who knew Jean Shepherd.

Movie fans will enjoy visiting both locations ~ we sure did 

(frah-JEE-lay) 😊

Happy New Year!

The years roll on, faster and faster. Our New Year's Eve festivities for the last few years have ended before midnight. It's just another night after all, albeit one that connects everyone in the world, just separated by time zones.

Earlier years found us gathering at someone's home after dinner out to wait for midnight. Last year some of us went to a movie after dinner, just to stay up, and the rest of us went home. This year, we were all home by 9pm. Two and a half hours with friends over dinner was great but enough for one night. Yeah, we're older, but wiser :-)

This year was our first gathering at Schnitz Ada Grill and it was a welcome change from Flat River Grill in Lowell with its porch plastic wall enclosure and heat lamps.

One main lesson Roy and I have garnered as we've aged is to not feel obligated to celebrate as Hallmark or "tradition" dictates. We learned that lesson many years ago regarding Christmas and now enjoy a stress-free holiday season. The money we spent on each other is now donated to charity, and we make a point of getting together with friends and family but not necessarily on dictated dates.

Christmas Day was spent with Roy, Matt, and Rachael at a movie and a wonderful Japanese dinner.

  

We also enjoyed a post-Christmas dinner with Marilyn & Dave at Vitale's,

a dinner with Ed & Joan at the Winchester, and are looking forward

to a Friday night get-together with Rob & Deb:

(photo added 1/3/14)

The best thing about the holiday season for us is doing what we want to (and can) do and not doing what people expect/demand that we do. Seeing family and friends on your own terms during the holidays is a wonderful thing. Christmas decorations? All three of them put away.

Cheers to 2014!