Let's say you are a passionate American who has grown up around a television for the last thirty years. In that case, the possibilities are A Christmas story It's at least a tangential part of your vacation memories. Whatever you think of the film itself (I think it's perfectly fine, if overly exaggerated), there's no doubt that it has entered the American lexicon by dint of its omnipresence on television screens during the holidays.
But how did such a small, independent Christmas movie, with a decidedly jaundiced (and BB-filled) look at 1940s nostalgia, go from theatrical shrug to unlikely American treasure? Let alone one that would spawn multiple sequels, including last year's. A Christmas Story Christmas.
Let's turn back time, break out our secret Little Orphan Annie decoder rings, and unravel the mystery. Just make sure you have your Ovaltine on hand.
(Side note: for more valuable information on the story, fandom, and creation of A Christmas storyI highly recommend Caseen Gaines' book. A Christmas Story: Behind the scenes of a Christmas classicwhich was essential reading for this article).
