'It's a major award!'

[KG]

Fan restores 'Christmas Story' house By JOE MILICIA, Associated Press Writer
Wed Nov 22, 4:54 PM ET

CLEVELAND - Ralphie Parker and Brian Jones know what it's like to want something.

For Ralphie, the object of desire was an official Red Ryder, carbine-action, 200-shot, range model air rifle. (Go ahead, say it, "You'll shoot your eye out, kid.") For Jones, the gotta-have-it item was Ralphie's house — the one in "A Christmas Story," the quirky film that's found a niche alongside holiday classics like "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street."

Jones has restored the three-story, wood-frame house to its appearance in the movie and will open it for tours beginning Saturday. His hope is that it will become a tourist stop alongside the city's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and other destinations.

He's unsure whether he'll make enough money to cover his $500,000 investment, but as sure as a kid's tongue will stick to a frozen flag pole, he's committed to the project.

"I just want people to come and enjoy it as I have," said Jones, a 30-year-old former Navy lieutenant.

"A Christmas Story" wasn't a big hit when released in 1983 but repeat TV airings and, in recent years, a 24-hour run on TBS starting Christmas Eve have made its story of boy's quest to get a BB gun for Christmas as infectious as the bespectacled Ralphie's eager grin. MORE>>>

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061122/ap_on_en_mo/film_christmas_story_house

[redwitch]

1. And it must be Italian!

I love that movie, gets me every time. I hope this guy has the house furnished properly, with the lamp in the window and the Lifeboy in the bathroom!

[baldguy]

2. fra-GEE-lay!

Must be Italian!

[Dukkha]

3. I found the school

it's been expanded on a lot but the tower is there and the original windows. the infamous pole is now part of a ball diamond cage