The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters explained

The Great American Fourth of July
and Other Disasters
Director:Richard Bartlett
Producer:Olvia Tappan
Starring:
Music:
Cinematography:Peter Hoving
Editing:
  • Dick Bartlett
  • Jeanne Jordan
Production Companies:
Distributor:Public Broadcasting System (PBS)
Runtime:75 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English

The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters is an American made-for-television family-comedy film, directed by Richard Bartlett, with a script written by Jean Shepherd. Produced by Olvia Tappan, the film is the second installment in the Ralph Parker franchise. Based on Shepherd's book and similar to all the other Parker Family films, the film depicts fictionalized events from his real-life childhood.

Released exclusively as it aired 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 classic film.[1]

Synopsis

Set during the late-1940s to early-1950s America, high school-aged Ralph Parker prepares himself for the perceived date of his life, 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.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Cast

Release

The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters was released on March 16, 1982, during an episode of the anthological television series American Playhouse.

Sequels

The film was followed by a number of sequels, as a part of a larger franchise of films, an adaptation for stage, and a television broadcast adaptation of that play. The film's direct follow-up, albeit a prequel chronologically, A Christmas Story, was released in 1983 with Darren McGavin playing the Old Man.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters (1982). Now Very Bad.... Now Very Bad staff. July 4, 2014. January 23, 2022. January 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124054801/https://www.nowverybad.com/great-american-fourth-july-disasters-1982/. live.
  2. Web site: "A Christmas Story 2" isn't the only Ralphie sequel out there. Channel Guide Magazine. Channel Guide staff. December 19, 2012. January 23, 2022. January 22, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220122091011/https://www.channelguidemag.com/tv-news/2012/12/19/a-christmas-story-2-isnt-the-only-ralphie-sequel/. live.
  3. Web site: The Great American 4th of July and Other Disasters. Turner Classic Movies. TCM staff. 1982. January 23, 2022. January 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124053343/https://prod-admin.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/469394/the-great-american-fourth-of-july-and-other-disasters#overview. dead.
  4. Web site: The Great American 4th of July and Other Disasters. OnesMedia. OnesMedia staff. June 23, 2013. January 23, 2022. January 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124054802/http://www.onesmedia.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1341. live.
  5. Web site: The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters. Letterboxd. Letterboxd staff. 1982. January 23, 2022. January 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124054800/https://letterboxd.com/film/the-great-american-fourth-of-july-and-other-disasters/. live.
  6. Web site: American Playhouse; Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters, The. Open Vault from GBH. OpenVault staff. February 26, 1982. January 23, 2022. January 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124054800/https://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_600E7CC2452949C1B8F7B384CA160703. live.
  7. Web site: American Playhouse: The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters (1982). All Movie. Southern, Nathan. January 23, 2022. January 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124054800/https://www.allmovie.com/movie/american-playhouse--the-great-american-fourth-of-july-and-other-disasters-v309348/corrections. live.
  8. Web site: Lisa Jacobsen. HD Cinema Flix. HDCinemaFlix.com. 2022. January 24, 2022. January 26, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220126042151/https://hdcinemaflix.com/actress/2055585/lisa-jacobsen. live.

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