BILL AND SUE-ON HILLMAN
VISIT THE CHRISTMAS STORY HOUSE
CLEVELAND, OHIO

PART IV: The Museum
Photo and Costume Displays
www.hillmanweb.com/xmas/xmasstory/xstory4.html
Photos by Bill and Sue-On
Captions by Sue-On
Melinda Dillon as the mother in the movie. 
She was quite embarrassed by the Major Award. 
The "Old Man" of course wanted it displayed 
in all its lit glory in the front window!
Ralphie's Warren G. Harding Elementary School scenes 
were filmed at Victoria School in St. Catherines, ON. 
The top picture shows Ralphie's teacher Miss Shields. 
The blackboard was donated to the museum 
when Victoria school was demolished.
.
A housedress and apron familiar 
to housewives of the 40's and 50's.
Mrs. Parker's housecoat
.
The outfits worn by the Chinese waiters in the Chop Suey Palace. 
The Parker family had to go there for their Xmas dinner - of Peking Duck - 
after the neighbor's dogs stole their Xmas turkey that was resting on the kitchen table. 
While enjoying their dinner, the family was serenaded by the waiters singing 
"Deck the halls with boughs of holly: Fa-Ra-Ra-Ra-Ra!"
.
Scut Farkus, the yellow-eyed bully, his racoon hat, and his sidekick, Grover Dill.
.
More of the publicity photos on display.
.
Ralphie and other children admiring the display of toys, 
specifically the Red Ryder BB Gun, in the store window 
of Higbee's Department store. 
Higbee's was known for its elaborate, 
child-centred Christmas themes and decorations, 
with Santa as the centrepiece. 
The store later became Dillard's in 1992 
until it closed for good in 2002. 
Today Higbee's Downtown Cleveland is
the Horseshoe Cleveland Casino.
The official letter that acknowledged 
the parents of Victoria School
in St. Catherines, Ontario, 
who allowed their children to be extras 
for the school scenes. 
Each child received a one dollar bill for their participation.
...
WWII Era Life Buoy soap: 
Ralphie's mouth was subjected to a thorough washing-out with a bar of this soap 
when he was caught cursing while helping his father change a flat tire.
.
"The Old Man" Darren McGavin pictured in one of the scenes. 
Darren McGavin was the second choice to play the role of the father 
who is oblivious to his own use of profanity. 
The first choice was Jack Nicholson. 
McGavin allegedly received a fee of $2 million to play the role, 
making him one of the highest paid actors of the time.
.
Old Man Parker lamenting over the shattered pieces of his Major Award.
.
The "triple- dog- dare" scene with Ralphie, 
and his friends Flick and Schwartz. 
The friends were arguing over whether a person's tongue
would stick to a frozen flagpole. 
Flick met the challenge and his tongue got stuck to the pole. 
A suction tube within the pole was used 
to simulate the freezing of Flick's tongue. 
However, the actors were not told about the suction tube,
so the surprised reaction by the actor was genuine 
when his tongue was sucked into the tube.
Ralphie (portrayed by Peter Billingsley) 
and Randy(portrayed by Ian Petrella) 
during a break in the filming.
.
Join us for Part V of our visit:
BACK TO THE CHRISTMAS STORY INTRO PAGE

A CHRISTMAS STORY HOUSE VISIT

INTRO
PART I
PART II
PART III
PART IV
PART V
.
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