"A Christmas Story" has become a perennial holiday favourite since its release in 1983. While millions watch the movie every year on television, few know the story behind the film's production, release, and unlikely ascent. Ralphie Parker's quest for "a Red Ryder carbine action, two hundred shot Range Model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time" didn't begin or end with the release of Bob Clark's sleeper hit. Adapted from Jean Shepherd's radio broadcasts and short stories, A Christmas Story has inspired a mountain of merchandise, sequels, a stage adaptation,...