'A Christmas Story': Where Are They Now?

NY DAILY NEWS ^ | 12-21-2011 | Staff

[Red Badger]

It wouldn't be Christmas without 'A Christmas Story,' the 1983 movie that became an instant holiday classic thanks to its winning cast and quotable scenes. The film is as time-honored a tradition as getting your tongue stuck to a pole in freezing weather. Here's a then-and-now look at the gang from fictional Hohman, Indiana, who brought the 'original, traditional, one-hundred-percent, red-blooded, two-fisted, all-American Christmas' tale to life ...

[mylife]

Every kid exceeds the recommended 10 pumps. LoL

[Theoria]

Yeah, sad. If you didn't mention it, I would have.

[Our man in washington]

I got about halfway through that movie before I stopped watching. I thought it was one of the stupidest movies I’ve ever seen. But I suppose I’m in the minority on this.

[Krankor]

I had a phaser when I was 9, but my parents always made me set it on “stun”

[null and void]

I know the director and his son were killed by a drunk driver who just happened to be an illegal alien.

Yes, there was a thread posted about it earlier today.

I guess pointing out that an illegal alien, who was twice previously deported, and three times over the blood alcohol limit took out a decent tax paying contributing member of our society offended someone's tender sensibilities.

[mylife]

Couple of interesting tidbits about the film; “A Christmas Story” was made, in part, because of Bob Clark’s success with the teen flick “Porky’s.” When the latter film did well at the box office, the studio gave the go-ahead for a project considered less bankable, a Christmas film based on the stories and monologues of humorist Jean Shepherd.

If only Hollywood could get past their own stupid sensibilities, we just might get some great endearing classic films.

Could you imagine if they made movies of some of Patrick F. McManus's works?

[Red Badger]

It is a slice of Americana from a simpler time that many people can relate to from their own experiences. If you find it to be unwatchable, then you must have had a perfect childhood........

[Red Badger]

My friends and I were adept at making the phaser noise and using old broken electric shavers for phasers......

[POWERSBOOTHEFAN]

I just hope their deaths were quick.

I can’t begin to imagine what their family went through.

[null and void]

Before the thread was senselessly nuked I asked what had happened to the illegal alien?

He was only sentenced to a few years, and the local agency “responsible” won’t answer as to his current status.

[JoeProBono]

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Clark was never told and hired Darren McGavin instead. He commanded a much lower salary, but his fee was still one of the largest items in the budget.

And worth every penny - McGavin as "the Old Man" makes the movie. It wouldn't have become the classic that it is without him (especially with Nicholson, who was totally wrong for the part).

[null and void]

His name is Hector Velazquez-Nava.

Perhaps someone more skilled than I am in the art can find his current status...

[POWERSBOOTHEFAN]

I’m shocked!

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

“You live in Cleveland?...”

I’m in the suburbs. I was going to go to the restaurant featured in the movie today, but got a last minute invite to a friend’s. That place is always a complete madhouse on Christmas! Good Din Sum though!

[6SJ7]

Clark though Jack Nicholson would be ideal for the “Old Man'...

Wow, that would have been weird with Nicholson in the role! Although I always thought McGavin seemed a bit old for the part, he played it perfectly.

[Red Badger]

They used a suction tube inside the pipe to replicate the effect of freezing to the pole. The actual temperature was well above freezing......

[Red Badger]

Do they sing Clistmas Calols?....

[mylife]

I was wondering today how they did that scene.
It seems the put a vacuum in the flag pole to make it look like the kids tongue was stuck.

[null and void]