[Oratam]

One clue as to when the movie takes place happens in the department store scene. As Ralphie waits in line to see Santa, people dressed as characters from The Wizard of Oz stroll past as part of some promotion for the movie. Ralphie (rightly, I might add) wants no part of them.

The Wizard of Oz was released in 1939.

[Rudder]

1939? Well, I think I mis-remembered what I heard on the radio (not at all unlikely). I haven’t seen that movie (A Christmas Story) for quite a while.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

I had Dim Sum today at the restaurant featured in the Christmas Story. Went to the school shown in the movie. The cars in the film were late very late 30’s automobiles, and were clearly old and rather worn. The 32 ford body in the alley was totally rusted out. I’m saying the movie was meant to take place post war, ‘49-50
Then again, Jean Shepherd was born in 1921, so it’s more likely that the movie props are misleading, and a case of artistic license.

[Thunder 6]

The number “1940” is inscribed on the Secret Decoder ring, and the discussion of the Chicago Bears being “Monsters” versus “Chipmunks” of the Midway always led me to believe it was 1939-40, pre-war...

Regards,