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Scott Schwartz in 'A Christmas Story' A Christmas Story: Poor Flick (Scott Schwartz) doesn't know he will one day be a legend. Turner Entertainment
 

by Linda Holmes

When you think "fan convention," you probably think three things: (1) Spock ears; (2) Princess Leia hair; and (3) that you are rapidly getting hives.

Fan gatherings have a bad reputation for being full of costumed oddballs who are not to be trusted, but now and then, one comes along that's just downright heartwarming. The latest entry is a post-Thanksgiving gathering in Cleveland for fans of A Christmas Story, the 1983 adaptation of Jean Shepherd's tales of his childhood.

Neither a hit nor a bomb when it showed in theaters 25 years ago, the movie later became one of pop-culture's most durable holiday traditions, particularly when it started running on cable in a 24-hour Christmas-day marathon, a pattern that started in 1997. "You'll shoot your eye out." The leg lamp. Ovaltine. For many people, these things are as much a part of Christmas as mistletoe and Santa.

And now, the restored Christmas Story House in Cleveland, which has been transformed into a year-round museum, is hosting a gathering on November 28 and 29.

"The Official Chinese Restaurant Of The Christmas Story House" and more, after the jump...

Brought to you by Pearl Of The Orient, the "official Chinese restaurant of A Christmas Story House," the convention will feature eight original cast members (two of whom are evil elves, which is hilarious), an appearance by the fire truck, the premieres of two documentaries (one called Shooting Your Eye Out: The Untold Christmas Story), and -- wait for it -- a BB gun range.

If you've read The Long Tail, you've heard about how the internet has made it possible for songs and books to remain available and present on the low-level cultural radar for many, many years. But one of the things I enjoy about it is the way it nurtures things like this -- odd little fandoms, corners of the culture where there are people who think that the best way to spend a couple of days would be to go to Cleveland and have their pictures taken with the guy who played Scut Farkus.

I'm not mocking, believe me -- I've done stupider things as a fan in my lifetime. These can be wonderful, weird little moments in life, bonding over something you like and someone else likes. And as bad as the reputation of fan conventions has become, my guess is that you could do a lot worse, in terms of Christmas gatherings, than this particular Cleveland holiday.

Hat-tip to /Film.

categories: Movies

10:58 - October 16, 2008

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