Parker Family Saga Explained

Distributor:Warner Bros. Pictures

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

PBS
Disney Platform Distribution
Released:1966–2022
Country:United States
Language:English

The Parker Family Saga (also known as the Jean Shepherd's Parker Family Saga franchise,[1] the Ralph Parker franchise, or colloquially the A Christmas Story franchise),[2] [3] is a collection of American family-comedies based upon the stories of author Jean Shepherd. The stories originated on Shepherd's radio programs and in his books before being adapted into a stage play, two theatrical films, four made-for-TV films, one straight-to-home video film, one unaired pilot episode for a planned television series, one musical adaptation, one live television adaptation of that musical[4] and one made-for-streaming film.[5]

All of the productions in the saga center around Ralphie Parker, a child in the 1930s and 1940s in suburban Indiana, and his friends and family. Ralphie Parker was loosely based upon Shepherd's childhood. For the rest of his life, Shepherd was the first-person narrator for all productions involving the character. Shepherd publicly claimed that all of his work was entirely fictional, but the names of his own friends and family are in his books.[6]

Origin

The franchise is based on the 1966 American comedic novel , authored by Jean Shepherd. The book details fictionalized stories from his childhood. Work began on the novel, after initially writing and releasing short stories in Playboy magazine and broadcasting other stories on radio productions. Released in October 1966, and published by Doubleday and Broadway Books, the release earned a spot on The New York Times Best Seller list.[7] [8] In God We Trust was received positively from critics, for its humor and relatable stories.[9] [10]

The week of Shepherd's death, the novel became Amazon's 142nd best selling novel.[11] The book served as the premise for the franchise, with Shepherd's work incorporated into a series of films, television productions, and stage plays.[12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]

Film

TitleU.S.
release date
Director(s)Screenwriter(s)Story byProducer(s)
The Phantom of the Open HearthFred Barzyk & David LoxtonJean ShepherdFred Barzyk and David Loxton
The Great American Fourth of July and Other DisastersDick BartlettOlivia Tappan
A Christmas StoryBob ClarkJean Shepherd, Leigh Brown & Bob ClarkRené Dupont and Bob Clark
The Star-Crossed Romance of Josephine CosnowskiFred BarzykJean ShepherdOlvia Tappan
Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of BlissDick Bartlett
It Runs in the Family: My Summer StoryBob ClarkJean Shepherd & Leigh Brown
and Bob Clark
René Dupont
A Christmas Story 2Brian LevantNat MauldinBrian Levant and Phillip B. Goldfine
A Christmas Story ChristmasClay KaytisNick Schenk
and Clay Kaytis
Nick Schenk
and Peter Billingsley
Peter Billingsley and Vince Vaughn

The Phantom of the Open Hearth (1976)

See main article: The Phantom of the Open Hearth. Released as a made-for-television film, the movie was met with mixed critical reception, but it is credited with providing studio interest in the eventual creation of A Christmas Story years later.

A middle-aged Ralph Parker introduces the film and serves as a narrator. Set during the late-1940s to early-1950s America, high school-aged Ralph prepares for the upcoming junior prom. Every day at school he tries to overcome his shyness and ask his crush, a popular classmate named Daphne Bigelow, to the event. At home, Ralph finds himself at odds with his father and his over-involved mother. His parents are busy with their own interests. Mr. Parker once again orders a tasteless lamp from a contest he won in an advertisement, and Mrs. Parker often attends "dish night" at the local movie theater to acquire a collection of dinner dishes. Though Ralph decides to ask his geeky neighbor Wanda Hickey to the dance, he continues to wish he could win the affections of Daphne. Later with his friends and their dates, Ralph drinks alcohol excessively. The group finds themselves sick and vomiting in the bathroom stall, during the eventful night of junior prom.[21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26]

The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters (1982)

See main article: The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters. Released as a made-for-television film, debuting on American Playhouse, season one, episode ten, the film was met with moderately positive critical reception. In the years since, the film has been labeled as a 4th of July holiday movie essential.[27]

Set during the late-1940s to early-1950s America, high school-aged Ralph Parker prepares himself for the perceived date of his lifetime, with his friend's attractive cousin named Pamela. While he plans the event with precision, his mother and father each respectively prepare to celebrate the nation's Independence Day. Mrs. Parker passes a chain letter around the neighborhood, while inheriting a large sum of wash rags. Mr. Parker decides to display his patriotism by lighting off Roman Candle fireworks from his pockets that night during the neighborhood event. Though Ralph believes he's prepared for the date, he ultimately embarrasses himself. Meanwhile, the parents come to terms with the neighbors' perceptions of their family.[28] [29] [30] [31] [32]

A Christmas Story (1983)

See main article: A Christmas Story. Released theatrically, to mixed-to mild critical reception and mild box office returns, A Christmas Story has become a Christmas classic.

Set during autumn 1940 America, a young elementary school aged Ralph "Ralphie" Parker spends much of his time avoiding the persistent bullying at school and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a Red Ryder Range Model air rifle. Seeking to preserve the integrity of his glasses, he continues to evade the school bullies while dealing with childhood events. While Ralphie finds himself frequently in confrontation with his irritable father and comforted by his doting mother, he seeks to convince his parents that he can responsibly handle the gun should Santa Claus bring it to him.[33]

The Star-Crossed Romance of Josephine Cosnowski (1985)

See main article: The Star-Crossed Romance of Josephine Cosnowski. Released as a made-for-television film, debuting on American Playhouse, season four, episode nine, the film was met with positive critical reception, with praise directed at the script, returning cast, and its Thanksgiving setting.

A fully grown, middle-aged Ralph Parker introduces the film as the character is going to a movie in theaters directed by a Polish director, which reminds him of a memory from his past. Set during the late-1940s to early-1950s America, high school aged Ralph Parker prepares for Thanksgiving celebrations with his family. His father, Mr. Parker decides that he wants to buy a new family vehicle and starts the processes of purchasing a yellow colored Buick, while his younger brother Randy practices for his role as a turkey in school Thanksgiving Day play. As the holiday approaches, a Polish family moves in. With the excitement of new next-door neighbors, Ralph discovers that the daughter is the girl of his dreams. He begins his first serious relationship. The pair soon discover that their courtship may prove more difficult to manage than necessary.[34] [35] [36] [37] [38]

Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss (1988)

See main article: Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss. Released as a made-for-television film, as a collaboration between American Playhouse and Walt Disney Television, the film was met with mixed-to-positive critical reception.

Set during 1950s America, high school-aged Ralph Parker applies for his first summer break job with his friends. After various applications, the group gets hired to work at Scott's Used Furniture Palace. With plans to save their money, they endure tiring conditions of delivering heavy appliances such as refrigerators up flights of stairs. The work quickly becomes Ralph's source of pain, stress, and nightmares. In the meantime, as the Parkers prepare for their planned vacation, they soon discover that their family dog named Fuzzhead is missing. Though Mr. Parker is unfazed, Mrs. Parker threatens her husband with cancelling their trip if they cannot find the animal. When the pair post poorly drawn posters with a large reward for the return of their pet, countless neighbors appear with various dogs with hopes of earning the prize money. Later, the couple find Fuzzhead riding in the back of Rolls-Royce and pursue the driver until they are able to regain possession of Fuzzhead. Meanwhile, after Ralph is fired from his job, he tells his parents that he quit so that he can join them on their family roadtrip.

Together, the family prepares for the ultimate getaway to Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss. Over-packed, the family encounters comedic events along the way. Fully expecting their destination to be a place of relaxation, the family may find more misadventures upon arrival.[39] [40] [41] [42]

It Runs in the Family: My Summer Story (1994)

See main article: My Summer Story. Released as a limited theatrical film, the film was met with mixed-to-positive critical reception. Praise was directed to its tone, the plot's pace, use of humor similar to A Christmas Story, and character development.[43] [44] Conversely, criticism was placed on the film's cast.[45] [46]

Set during the summer of 1941, the year following the events of A Christmas Story, Ralph "Ralphie" Parker struggles in his pursuits to avoid the new bully named Scut Farkus. Every day at school, Ralphie attempts to beat Farkus in a game of spinning tops. Despite his repeated attempts at having the last top standing in the chalk circle boundaries, Ralphie continues to be defeated. Meanwhile, Mrs. Parker finds herself at odds with the owner of their local theater over a number of questionable giveaways. When the owner starts a "Dish Night" event, she becomes obsessed with receiving the entire collection of celebrity dishware being handed out. She however begins to call into question the owner's ethics, and gets the town's housewives on her side in the process. Mr. Parker finds himself teaching Ralphie how to fish, much to Randy's jealousy, all while feeling in competition with his country neighbors, the Bumpus family. Frustrated with their persistent boisterous music, their bloodhound dog, and their recently installed outhouse which he is certain is a municipal violation, Mr. Parker seeks to rid their town of the Bumpuses.

A Christmas Story 2 (2012)

See main article: A Christmas Story 2. Released as a straight-to-DVD film and as direct sequel to the original film (while ignoring My Summer Story from 1994), the film was met with a mostly-negative reception. While the film was given praise for attempts to portray 1940s-era America, criticisms were directed at reliance on slapstick humor and its inferior derivation of the 1983 film.[47] [48] [49] [50]

Set during 1946 American Christmastime, teenaged 15-year-old Ralph "Ralphie" Parker repeatedly tells his parents that all he wants for Christmas is a 1939 Mercury Eight convertible, which he secretly hopes will help him win the courtship of the classmate he has been crushing on named Drucilla Gootrad. When he attempts to test drive the vehicle at a local used car dealership, he unintentionally causes the car to back off of a display ramp, tapping into a lightpost, and tearing the convertible roof due to a plastic reindeer falling through it. Afraid that his father is going to find out, Ralph attains a job at Higbee's with his best friends to earn the necessary funds to pay the owner for the damages. The group quickly gets reassigned to various departments within the store, before getting into a fight amongst each other and with the store Santa Claus, culminating in getting fired from their positions. Ralphie pleads for his job and convinces the store to rehire him. As Christmas arrives, he discovers that he is one dollar short but attains the needed banknote from one of his friends. On his way to pay the dealership owner for the damages sustained to the Mercury, decides to donate a sum of the money to a less fortunate family. Convinced that he is going to jail, Ralphie is surprised by a series perceived Christmas miracles: the owner lets him go without any legal action, he receives the car he wanted from his parents after all, and additionally gets a girlfriend in the form of the girl he has been infatuated with.[51] [52]

A Christmas Story Christmas (2022)

See main article: A Christmas Story Christmas. Another direct sequel to A Christmas Story was directed by Clay Kaytis, with a script written by Nick Schenk (who also served as executive producer).[53] Peter Billingsley reprised his role as Ralph "Ralphie" Parker, while the plot was set during latter December 1973 with the now-grown character returning to his childhood home with his family for Christmas, following the death of his father (aka The Old Man). The cast features the character's childhood friends, while Julie Hagerty was cast as Mrs. Parker, his mother, in a role originated played by Melinda Dillon (who retired from acting in 2007, was in poor health during the filming of the sequel and died in 2023 after its release) in the original film.[54] [55] [56] [57] [58] Ian Petrella, Scott Schwartz, R. D. Robb, and Zack Ward reprise their roles as Randy Parker, Flick, Schwartz, and Scut Farkus, respectively.[59] Erinn Hayes, River Drosche, and Julianna Layne joined the cast as Ralphie's wife and his kids.[60] Billingsley produced the film with Vince Vaughn. The project was a joint-venture production between Legendary Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, Wild West Picture Show Productions, and HBO Max Original Films. The film was dedicated to the memory of Darren McGavin (who played "The Old Man" in the original film) died on February 25, 2006.[61] [62]

The film was released in the United States via streaming in November 2022, on HBO Max by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Streaming & Interactive Entertainment.

Television

Unaired television pilot

The Phantom of the Open Hearth was reshot, reimagined and planned to serve as the pilot episode for an ongoing television series with an intended release in 1978. Though the finished product never aired, production was completed. The production was directed by John Rich, with a script by Jean Shepherd, cinematography by Roland 'Ozzie' Smith, and editing from Dick Bartlett. Filmed with a production title the same as the 1976 film, the cast included John Shepherd, Richard Venture, Barbara Bolton, and Jean Shepherd as young Ralph "Ralphie" Parker, Mr. Parker, Mrs. Parker, and Ralph Parker/the Narrator, respectively. The series' inaugural episode notedly included the original introduction of the now-famous line: "Oh, fudge (but I didn't say 'fudge')!" which was later introduced in A Christmas Story.[63] [64] [65] [66]

A Christmas Story: Live! (2017)

See main article: A Christmas Story Live!. Produced as a live television special released in December 2017, it was met with mixed-to-negative at best critical reception in favor of the original film. Critiques were directed at the tone, the running time, the Broadway musical numbers and the perceived usage of "cutesyness".[67]

Scott Ellis and Alex Rudzinski co-directed the special, with a telescript co-written by Robert Cary and Jonathan Tolins. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who wrote the original Broadway, collaborated to write additional lyrics and music for additional songs in the three-hour long special. Tolins and Cary co-wrote the accompanying novelization. The project was a joint-venture production between Fox Television, and Warner Horizon Unscripted & Alternative Television. Marc Platt served as producer. A nationwide open casting call was made in order to find a child actor to cast in the role of Ralph "Ralphie" Parker.[68] [69] [70] [71] [72]

Stage

Play

Prior to the release of A Christmas Story, Bob Clark and Jean Shepherd wrote the first draft for the script. This first draft had a working title that was the same as Shepherd's original play, In God We Trust. The film script was based on the play, which in turn was also based on the similarly named novel.[73]

A two-act play based upon A Christmas Story was released in 2000. It is adapted from the film script, with modifications by Philip Grecian.[74]

Musical

See main article: A Christmas Story: The Musical. The musical theater adaptation of A Christmas Story was released in December 2009 at Kansas City Repertory Theatre in Missouri, as a pre-Broadway engagement with music and lyrics by Scott Davenport Richards. Directed by Eric Rosen, with a playscript, libretto, and novelization by Joseph Robinette, it was met with a warm reception from critics. Following the initial release however, Richards departed the production.[75] Benj Pasek and Justin Paul were hired to rewrite the score and lyrics for the relaunch of the musical which debuted in December 2010.[76] The musical adaptation was produced by Gerald Goehring, Michael F. Mitri, Robert G. Bartner, and Michael A. Jenkins as a Bartner/Jenkins Entertainment stage production. The reimagined musical was met with critical acclaim, and was a financial success on Broadway.[77] [78]

Main cast and characters

CharacterFilmTelevision
The Phantom of the Open HearthThe Great American Fourth of July and Other DisastersA Christmas StoryThe Star-Crossed Romance of Josephine CosnowskiOllie Hopnoodle's Haven of BlissIt Runs in the Family:
A Christmas Story 2A Christmas Story ChristmasA Christmas Story: Live!
Ralph "Ralphie" ParkerDavid Elliot
Jean Shepherd
Matt Dillon
Jean Shepherd
Peter Billingsley
Jean Shepherd
Pete Kowanko
Jean Shepherd
Jerry O'Connell
Jean Shepherd
Kieran Culkin
Jean Shepherd
Braeden Lemasters
Nat Mauldin
Peter Billingsley
Joseph Al Ahmad
Andy Walken
Matthew Broderick
Randy ParkerAdam GoodmanJay IneIan PetrellaJay IneJason Clarke AdamsChristian CulkinValin ShinyeiIan PetrellaTyler Wladis
Bob Parker[79]
James BroderickDarren McGavinGeorge CoeJames SikkingCharles GrodinDaniel SternChris Diamantopoulos
Mrs. ParkerBarbara BoltonMelinda DillonBarbara BoltonDorothy LymanMary SteenburgenStacey TravisJulie HagertyMaya Rudolph
Sandy ParkerErinn Hayes
Mark ParkerRiver Drosche
Billy Brayshaw
Julie ParkerJulianna Layne
Tegan Grace Muggeridge
FlickWilliam LampleyScott SchwartzWilliam LampleyCameron JohannGeoffrey WigdorDavid W. ThompsonScott SchwartzJJ Batteast
SchwartzBryan UtmanJeffery YonisR. D. RobbJeff YonisRoss EldridgeDavid ZahorskyDavid BuehrleR. D. RobbSammy Ramirez
Carl ParkerEd Huberman
Daphne BigelowTobi Pilavin
Wanda HickeyRoberta Wallach
Ludlow KisselBabe Sargent
PamelaLisa Jacobsen
Scut FarkusZack WardChris OwenZack WardSacha Carlson
Grover DillYano AnayaT.J. McInturffYano AnayaElie Samouhi
Miss ShieldsTedde MooreTedde MooreJane Krakowski
Higbee's Santa ClausJeff GillenGarry ChalkDavid GillespieDavid Alan Grier
Josephine "Josie" CosnowskiKatherine Kamhi
Stosh "Bubba" CosnowskiArmen Garo
Alex "Killer" CosnowskiJames T. Lahiff
Mrs. CosnowskiJoan Tolentino
Mr. CosnowskiWilliam B. Lynch
Father CasmirFrank Toste C.S.C.
Ollie HopnoodleDesmond Dhooge
Leopold DopplerGlenn Shadix
Mr. WinchellRoy Brocksmith
Drucilla GootradTiera Skovbye
Hank CatenhauserGerard Plunkett
Higbee's Assistant ManagerShawn Macdonald

Additional crew and production details

TitleCrew/Detail
Composer(s)CinematographerEditor(s)Production
companies
Distributing
company
Running time
The Phantom
of the Open Hearth
Paul Taubman
and Joseph Raposo
Peter HovingDick BartlettVisions,
The Television Laboratory at WBNET/13,
The WBGH New Television Workshop
Public Broadcasting System94 min
The Great American Fourth of July
and Other Disasters
David Amram
and Marcus Miller
Dick Bartlett & Jeanne JordanAmerican Playhouse,
The Disney Channel,
South Carolina Educational Television
75 min
A Christmas StoryCarl Zittrer & Paul ZazaReginald H. MorrisStan ColeMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer StudiosMGM/UA Entertainment Co.94 min
The Star-Crossed Romance
of Josephine Cosnowski
David AmramPeter HovingDick Bartlett American Playhouse,
The WGBH New Television Workshop,
Creative Television Associates Inc.,
WGBH Educational Foundation
Public Broadcasting System56 min
Ollie Hopnoodle's
Haven of Bliss
Steve OlenickD'Arcy MarshDick Bartlett & Bill AndersonPolly Inc.,
WGBH Boston,
American Playhouse,
WGBH Educational Foundation
Disney Channel,
Disney–ABC Domestic Television,
Walt Disney Home Media
89 min
It Runs in the Family:
My Summer Story
Paul ZazaStephen M. KatzStan ColeMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer StudiosMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer85 min
A Christmas Story 2David NewmanJan KiesserRoger BondelliHollywood Media Bridge,
Telvan Productions
Warner Premiere86 min
A Christmas Story ChristmasJeff MorrowMatthew ClarkDavid HeinzWarner Bros. Pictures,
Legendary Pictures,
Wild West Pictures Show Productions,
HBO Max Original Films
HBO Max98 min

Reception

Box office and financial performance

FilmBox office grossBox office rankingHome video
sales gross
Worldwide total
gross income
BudgetWorldwide total
net income
Ref(s)
North AmericaOther territoriesWorldwideAll-time
North America
All-time
worldwide
North America
The Phantom of the Open Hearth
The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters
A Christmas Story$20,640,209$20,640,209
  1. 3,596
  1. 4,994
$75,499,043$96,139,252$3,250,000$92,889,252[80]
The Star-Crossed Romance of Josephine Cosnowski
Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss
It Runs in the Family: My Summer Story$70,936$70,936≥$70,936$15,000,000≥-$14,929,064[81] [82]
A Christmas Story 2$3,851,496≥$3,851,496<$3,851,496[83]
A Christmas Story Christmas
Totals$20,711,145$0$20,711,145x̄ #1,798x̄ #2,497$79,350,539≥$100,061,684>$18,250,000~≤$81,811,684

Critical and public response

FilmRotten TomatoesMetacritic
The Phantom of the Open Hearth
The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters
A Christmas Story89% (57 reviews) [84] 77/100 (16 reviews) [85]
The Star-Crossed Romance of Josephine Capowski
Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss[86]
It Runs in the Family: My Summer Story[87] 45/100 (5 reviews)[88]
A Christmas Story 2[89]
A Christmas Story: Live43% (14 reviews)[90] 61/100 (11 reviews)[91]
A Christmas Story Christmas79% (34 reviews)[92] 56/100 (8 reviews)[93]

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

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