A Christmas Story: 10 Awesome Images You've Never Seen

6. The Classic That Almost Wasn't

Original Cinema Quad Poster - Movie Film Posters A Christmas Story was released in November 18th, 1983; just in time for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, the film wasn't as big of a hit as we have come to know it. In fact, by time Christmas came around, it was pulled from all but 100 screens. The movie owes its success to two huge factors that came into play in the 1980s: Cable Television and VCRs. Ted Turner's acquisition of MGM's pre 1986 catalog made sure that he was able to triumph this Christmas classic as the masterpiece we all acknowledge it to be today. The final sign in signifying the film's meteoric rise through Pop Culture was in 1997 when TNT ran its first 24 hour marathon of nothing but Ralphie's heroic quest for the American Dream Toy. Since then, it's been reissued through countless media, yet still broadcast for 24 hours on Christmas Eve.
Contributor
Contributor

Mike Reyes may or may not be a Time Lord, but he's definitely the Doctor Who editor here at What Culture. In addition to his work at What Culture, Mr. Reyes writes for Cocktails and Movies, as well as his own personal blogs Mr. Controversy and The Bookish Kind. On top of that, he's also got a couple Short Stories and Novels in various states of completion, like any good writer worth their salt. He resides in New Jersey, and compiles his work from all publications on his Facebook page.