[8] The franchise is based on the 1966 American comedic novel In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, authored by Jean Shepherd.

[13] The book served as the premise for the franchise, with Shepherd's work incorporated into a series of films, television productions, and stage plays.

[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Released as a made-for-television film, the movie was met with mixed critical reception, but it is credited with providing studio interest in the eventual creation of A Christmas Story years later.

[29] Set during the late-1940s to early-1950s America, high school-aged Ralph Parker prepares himself for the perceived date of his lifetime, with his friend's attractive cousin named Pamela.

Mr. Parker decides to display his patriotism by lighting off Roman Candle fireworks from his pockets that night during the neighborhood event.

While Ralphie finds himself frequently in confrontation with his irritable father and comforted by his doting mother, he seeks to convince his parents that he can responsibly handle the gun should Santa Claus bring it to him.

[23] A fully grown, middle-aged Ralph Parker introduces the film as the character is going to a movie in theaters directed by a Polish director, which reminds him of a memory from his past.

His father, Mr. Parker decides that he wants to buy a new family vehicle and starts the processes of purchasing a yellow colored Buick, while his younger brother Randy practices for his role as a turkey in school Thanksgiving Day play.

With plans to save their money, they endure tiring conditions of delivering heavy appliances such as refrigerators up flights of stairs.

When the pair post poorly drawn posters with a large reward for the return of their pet, countless neighbors appear with various dogs with hopes of earning the prize money.

[47][48] Set during the summer of 1941, the year following the events of A Christmas Story, Ralph "Ralphie" Parker struggles in his pursuits to avoid the new bully named Scut Farkus.

When the owner starts a "Dish Night" event, she becomes obsessed with receiving the entire collection of celebrity dishware being handed out.

Mr. Parker finds himself teaching Ralphie how to fish, much to Randy's jealousy, all while feeling in competition with his country neighbors, the Bumpus family.

Frustrated with their persistent boisterous music, their Bloodhound dog, and their recently installed outhouse which he is certain is a municipal violation, Mr. Parker seeks to rid their town of the Bumpuses.

[49][50][51][52][53] Set during 1946 American Christmastime, teenaged 15-year-old Ralph "Ralphie" Parker repeatedly tells his parents that all he wants for Christmas is a 1939 Mercury Eight convertible, which he secretly hopes will help him win the courtship of the classmate he has been crushing on named Drucilla Gootrad.

Afraid that his father is going to find out, Ralph attains a job at Higbee's with his best friends to earn the necessary funds to pay the owner for the damages.

On his way to pay the dealership owner for the damages sustained to the Mercury, decides to donate a sum of the money to a less fortunate family.

Convinced that he is going to jail, Ralphie is surprised by a series perceived Christmas miracles: the owner lets him go without any legal action, he receives the car he wanted from his parents after all, and additionally gets a girlfriend in the form of the girl he has been infatuated with.

[55] Peter Billingsley reprised his role as Ralph "Ralphie" Parker, while the plot was set during latter December 1973 with the now-grown character returning to his childhood home with his family for Christmas, following the death of his father (aka The Old Man).

[5][56][57][58][6] The Phantom of the Open Hearth was reshot, reimagined and planned to serve as the pilot episode for an ongoing television series with an intended release in 1978.

The production was directed by John Rich, with a script by Jean Shepherd, cinematography by Roland 'Ozzie' Smith, and editing from Dick Bartlett.

[63][64][65][66] Produced as a live television special released in December 2017, it was met with mixed-to-negative at best critical reception in favor of the original film.