I missed it at the theater but it was on VHS and on the TV shortly after its release and that’s when it became popular, probably around 86 or 87. I forgot to mention that it is one of my family’s favorites, my grandson would watch it from thanksgiving to Easter that and Home Alone.
Originally out in 84 I think. My wife and I were driving from Columbus Ohio to western M***achusetts the week before Christmas in 85, and ran into lake effects snow around Cleveland, and we just barely got to buffalo. Found a motel, and got the last room that night. We went down the road about a half mile and got Italian for dinner. Made it back to the motel and in the room right at 8 pm. Turned on the tv and saw the movie but had no idea how far along it was. We saw Ralphie talking to himself in front of Higbees, looking at the Red Rider 200 shot repeating rifle! And probably kept the people on either side of us awake for the next 2-1/2 hours, we were laughing so hard! I watch it every year, at least twice, and maybe even more if SWMBO doesn’t yell at me, you’ve watched it every year for 40 years! Haven’t you seen it enough?
Some men are Baptists, others Catholics; my father was an Oldsmobile man. The Old Man loved it. He had always pictured himself in the pits of the Indianapolis Speedway in the 500. My old man's spare tires were actually only tires in the academic sense. They were round, they had once been made of rubber.
The Jalopy Journal
