The Christmas story was first published in 1983, but it happened more than 40 years ago. As a result, the film better captured the warm and familiar atmosphere often found in Norman Rockwell’s paintings. But instead of focusing on the positive, A Christmas Story is also aware of the clutter that comes with each family. Although the film’s themes are timeless, the question remains: What year is A Christmas Story going?
The Christmas Story follows a little boy named Ralphie Parker who wants more than one Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Every time he tells an adult, from his mother to Santa, everyone tells him that his eyes will be stuck out. Even Santa’s gloomy shopping mall ruins his dreams before he slips into his boots. The film still shows how families keep the Christmas laughs alive through some disappointing moments.
At first, peek, it is hard to say when the Christmas story will take place, as it seems to have influences that can last for years. The exhibited vehicles date back to the 1930s and have been a gift for decades in some scenes. Little Orphan Annie and Red Ryder were well presented in the 1940s but left little ambiguity about the date. But some of the most significant date contradictions stem from the scenography and props throughout the film.
Throughout the history of Christmas, we see a calendar corresponding to 1939. It seems to be a preconception of the year in which the film occurs. There is also a recording of The Wizard of Oz, released in August. This year. Although 1939 seems to be the year the film is set, there is a support that some inconsistencies are unlikely.
One of Ralphie’s favorite things is listening to Little Orphan Annie’s radio show. Those at Annie’s Secret Club are given a PIN to decrypt secret messages spoken during the show. The film shows Ralphie’s long wait to get him, and if he does, he will immediately reject one of the messages. However, the decoder pin does not show the date 1939. The stick is stamped 1940 instead, which creates confusion about the location of A Christmas Story.
While the decoder needle adds some clutter to the timeline, the answer may lie in the factories that made the pin in Universe A Christmas Story. With the end of the year so close, Ralphie probably bought one of the first pins for 1940. Since most of the other details focus on 1939, the pin could represent the new year, just around the corner. Thematically, the lack of clarity about the film’s years contributes to its timeless feel. Overall, the film is also outdated, which makes it even more classic. While the dates may be conflicting, this year’s ambiguity helps to enhance the overall experience.
