The Five Best Christmas Stories

Opinion Journal Online ^ | 12-22-07 | MICHAEL DIRDA

[Billthedrill]

The Gift Of The Magi was perfection. Nothing else I've ever read comes close.

[Hebrews 11:6]

It appears there is a demand for ten or twelve favorites. By the way, how Dickens' A Christmas Carol was left off that list is beyond me.

Anyway, another popular one to add to the list of a dozen is Home Alone.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

I had Dim Sum today at the restaurant featured in the Christmas Story. Went to the school shown in the movie. The cars in the film were late very late 30’s automobiles, and were clearly old and rather worn. The 32 ford body in the alley was totally rusted out. I’m saying the movie was meant to take place post war, ‘49-50
Then again, Jean Shepherd was born in 1921, so it’s more likely that the movie props are misleading, and a case of artistic license.

[Thunder 6]

The number “1940” is inscribed on the Secret Decoder ring, and the discussion of the Chicago Bears being “Monsters” versus “Chipmunks” of the Midway always led me to believe it was 1939-40, pre-war...

Regards,

[Bommer]

“The Three Trees” was always my favorite!

[Vision]

A Christmas Story is one of the best movies ever made. It was not set during the depression though.

[Gigantor]

bump

[Joe 6-pack]

A little independent research on my part indicates that the Little Orphan Annie radio show was only on air from 1931 - 1940...so that narrows it down substantially.