A Reel Review: THE CHRISTMAS STORY House

Over this Memorial Day weekend 2019, this Blogger and his girlfriend had the opportunity to visit the epicenter of a cinematic cultural milestone; The Christmas Story House in Cleveland Ohio…the house which served as a filming location for the 1983 holiday classic, A CHRISTMAS STORY. The film, which was directed by Bob Clark and narrated by author Jean Shepherd, has become as elemental to the holiday season as much as Santa, and the house which served as a central location in the film has been refurbished and open year-round for tours. 

The modest house sits on a quiet street in the Tremont section of Cleveland’s west side, and if not for the signs around it, would blend right in the neighborhood. It was chosen by Clark and Shepherd for it’s look; this was in the early 80’s and they needed a home that looked like it belonged in the 1940’s…the year the film would be taking place. The story behind the discovery and acquisition of the house, as we would find out on the tour…is a story as good as any holiday yarn about a kid wanting a BB-gun. Clark and Shepherd actually found the house by accident after getting lost, and it was love at first sight. The owner was not at home, but they located him at the neighborhood bar and asked his permission to rent his home for 11 weeks for filming. The owner initially refused, but Clark and Shepherd bought the man many drinks…and the owner eventually agreed, took a nice paycheck, and a hotel room courtesy of the studio. 

Today, the house is one of four buildings dedicated to the film and the tour, a tour which actually starts across the street at the gift shop. Merchandising, merchandising is the name of the game here, as nearly every iconic item from the film; the leg lamp, decoder pin, pink bunny onesies, and even the famed Red Ryder BB gun…all up for sale. And this was just the tip of the iceberg as the shop was packed with beer glasses, scarves, neckties, and decorations all carrying the CHRISTMAS STORY spirit. 

The tour moves to the famed house, which was purchased and refurbished in 2004 to look exactly like the Parker family home in the film. Our tour guide was excellent; providing information that not even this Blogger was aware of. The whopper of info came early in the tour, when we learned that only 15% of the film was actually shot in the house due to space issues (the house is kinda small). Any shots in the film which the outside can be seen through a window or open door were filmed in the house, and anything else was on a sound stage in Toronto. Despite that myth-breaking fact, we still had a blast as were allowed to wander about the house freely; exploring the kitchen where Ralphie’s mom never had a hot meal, and even the bathroom where a boy can work in peace. The backyard has been restored to its original filming condition, and even the house of the Bumpus family, those sons-of-bitches with their endless smelly dogs…can be visited. 

The tour then moves back across the street to the museum, where props and costumes from the film now live. Everything from bully Scott Farkus’ cook-skin cap to the A+ blackboard…along with countless production photos. 

The last stop was a look at the fire engine from the parade, and the Old Man’s car that would freeze up on the equator. 

A CHRISTMAS STORY was not a financial or critical hit in 1983, but today it ranks as one of the best holiday films of all time. It has become a mainstay in our holidays and our culture, and seeing the house, props, costumes, and neighborhood street for real was a fun, and emotional experience that appeals to young and old. Dreams of pulling off spectacular hip-shots on a snowy Christmas morning never felt so real. 

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Find more information on the house HERE

Read Reel Speak’s blog on the 30^thanniversary of A CHRISTMAS STORY HERE