where christmas story filmed

As the holiday season draws near, the classic Christmas movie, 'A Christmas Story' takes center stage once again. The film is a beloved classic that has captured the hearts of audiences with its captivating storyline, unforgettable characters, and its whimsical depiction of Christmas in America. But many fans of the movie have always been curious about where it was filmed. In this article, we'll explore the various filming locations of 'A Christmas Story' and offer some fun and quirky facts about each one.

The Origins of the Movie

Before we dive into the various filming locations of 'A Christmas Story,' let's take a quick look at the movie's origins. The film was based on a series of humorous short stories written by Jean Shepherd, who also narrates the movie. The stories were originally published in Playboy magazine in the 1960s. The movie adaptation was released in 1983, and it was directed by Bob Clark and starred Peter Billingsley as Ralphie Parker, the film's protagonist.

The Parker Family Home

One of the most iconic filming locations of 'A Christmas Story' is the Parker family home. The house is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and is now a museum dedicated to the movie. Fans can tour the home and see some of the film's most memorable scenes, such as the leg lamp in the front window and the famous flagpole scene. The house has become a mecca for fans of the movie, and it's estimated that over 50,000 people visit the museum each year.

Higbee's Department Store

In the film, the Parker family visits Higbee's department store in search of a Christmas gift. Higbee's was a real department store in downtown Cleveland, but it closed in 1992. Today, the building has been repurposed as an office building and a casino. However , a few of the original details from the store remain, such as the iconic chandeliers that hang in the building's atrium.

The Chop Suey Palace

In one of the film's most hilariously memorable scenes, the Parker family goes out for Chinese food on Christmas Day after their dinner is ruined. The restaurant they visit is called the Chop Suey Palace. The real-life location of the Chop Suey Palace is now a Vietnamese restaurant called Bac Asian American Bistro. The restaurant has retained some of the décor from the movie, such as the dragon that hangs from the ceiling.

The Christmas Tree Lot

In the film, the Parker family purchased their Christmas tree from a lot run by a grumpy old man. The lot was located in Toronto, Canada, and it was filmed on location. Today, the tree lot is long gone, but the spot where it stood is now a parking lot. Despite this, fans of the movie still flock to the location to take pictures and re-create the famous scene.

The Santa Scene

One of the most iconic scenes in 'A Christmas Story' is when Ralphie visits Santa Claus at Higbee's department store. The scene was actually filmed at the May Company department store in downtown Cleveland, which is now part of the Cleveland Clinic. Despite the building 's Change of use, the original Santa Claus slide from the film was saved and is now on display at the museum in the Parker family home.

conclusion

The filming locations of 'A Christmas Story' are just as beloved as the film itself. Fans of the movie can visit various locations, such as the Parker family home, and relive their favorite scenes. Whether you're a long-time fan of the movie or have never seen it before, the locations where the film was shot offer a unique and quirky look at Christmas in America.