This holiday classic film, set in 1940s Indiana (but filmed in Cleveland and Toronto), focused on little Ralphie’s quest for a Red Ryder Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot BB gun, despite everyone’s warnings that he’d shoot his eye out.
But the family car played a starring role in the movie too.
Oldsmobile advertising in the era called its 1937 Six and Eight models “Modern to the Minute!”. Self-aggrandizing headlines read “Best Looking Cars of the Year!” filled ad copy, while pointing out the cars size, durability, power and economy.
In ‘A Christmas Story‘ Ralphie’s dad (whom he calls The Old Man) was a 1937 Oldsmobile Six, the lesser of the two models. Brand new it would have been only $685, but the Old Man is such a penny-pincher, he would definitely have bought it used.
Art Deco styling, popular in the era, was used on the 1937 Olds Six to give it a modern, stremline look compared to older models. Behind the formal, upright grille was a 230 cubic inch straight-six pumping out 95 HP.
Despite being a good-looking ride, the Old Man didn’t seem to maintain it very well. The old tires, prone to blowouts, set the stage for one of the best scenes in the film. While hauling home a Christmas tree, the front right popped, and the dad proudly shouted to his wide “Four minutes: time me!” as he went out into the cold to make the change. Ralphie even comments that during these moments, The Old Man pictured himself in the pits at Indianapolis.
During a real coming-of-age moment, Ralphie’s mommy pushes him to help The Old Man, lending a hand changing the tire. Ralphie was always too small to help before. But Ralphie messes everything up, losing all the lug nuts The Old Man had placed in the hubcap for safe keeping, then blurts out ‘the F-word’.
As punishment, he gets a mouthful of soap.
The movie is 40 years old, so it’s pretty easy to find on TV, but it’s also available to rent on YouTube for a couple of bucks. Definitely worth it for just the car scenes.
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