The Parker Family Saga (also known as the Jean Shepherd's Parker Family Saga franchise, the Ralph Parker franchise, or colloquially the A Christmas Story franchise), is a collection of American family-comedies based upon the stories of author Jean Shepherd. The stories originated on Shepherd's radio programs and in his books before being adapted into a stage play, two theatrical films, four made-for-TV films, one straight-to-home video film, one unaired pilot episode for a planned television series, one musical adaptation, one live television adaptation of that musical and one made-for-streaming movie.
All of the productions in the saga center around Ralphie Parker, a child in the 1930s and 1940s in suburban Indiana, and his friends and family. Ralphie Parker was loosely based upon Shepherd's childhood. For the rest of his life, Shepherd was the first-person narrator for all productions involving the character. Shepherd publicly claimed that all of his work was entirely fictional, but the names of his own friends and family are in his books.
Origin
The franchise is based on the 1966 American comedic novel In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, authored by Jean Shepherd. The book details fictionalized stories from his childhood. Work began on the novel, after initially writing and releasing short stories in Playboy magazine and broadcasting other stories on radio productions. Released in October 1966, and published by Doubleday and Broadway Books, the release earned a spot on [[The New York Times Best Seller list|The New York Times''' Best Seller list]].Herrmann, Andrew. "Love-Hate Affair With Hometown." Chicago Sun-Times. December 15, 1999. In God We Trust was received positively from critics, for its humor and relatable stories.Dozois, p. xlvii.
The week of Shepherd's death, the novel became Amazon's 142nd best selling novel. The book served as the premise for the franchise, with Shepherd's work incorporated into a series of films, television productions, and stage plays.
Film
The Phantom of the Open Hearth (1976)
Released as a made-for-television film, the movie was met with mixed critical reception. However, it is credited with providing studio interest in the eventual creation of A Christmas Story years later.
A middle-aged Ralph Parker introduces the film, before the events of the movie flashback to the past. Set during the late-1940s to early-1950s America, high school-aged Ralph prepares for the upcoming junior prom. Every day at school he tries to overcome his shyness and ask his crush, a popular classmate named Daphne Bigelow, to the event. At home, Ralph finds himself at odds with his father and his over-involved mother. His parents are busy with their own interests. Mr. Parker once again orders a tasteless lamp from a contest he won in an advertisement, and Mrs. Parker often attends "dish night" at the local movie theater to acquire a collection of dinner dishes. Though Ralph decides to ask his geeky neighbor Wanda Hickey to the dance, he continues to wish he could win the affections of Daphne. Later with his friends and their dates, Ralph drinks alcohol excessively. The group finds themselves sick and vomiting in the bathroom stall, during the eventful night of junior prom.
The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters (1982)
Released as a made-for-television film, debuting on American Playhouse, season one, episode ten; the movie was met with moderately positive critical reception. In the years since, the film has been labeled as a 4th of July holiday movie essential.
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. While he plans the event with precision, his mother and father each respectively prepare to celebrate the nation's Independence Day. Mrs. Parker passes a chain letter around the neighborhood, while inheriting a large sum of wash rags. Mr. Parker decides to display his patriotism by lighting off Roman Candle fireworks from his pockets that night during the neighborhood event. Though Ralph believes he's prepared for the date, he ultimately embarrasses himself. Meanwhile, the parents come to terms with the neighbors' perceptions of their family.
A Christmas Story (1983)
Released theatrically, to mixed-to mild critical reception and mild box office returns, A Christmas Story has become a Christmas classic.