Continuity mistake: When Ralphie's father is sitting in the chair reading the funnies (before the dogs ruin the turkey), there is a small gold lampshade sitting on the table next to him. In the first shot, there is a Christmas bow on it. In the following shot, the bow has disappeared.

A Christmas Story (1983)
Plot summary
Directed by: Bob Clark
Starring: Darren McGavin, Melinda Dillon, Peter Billingsley, Scott Schwartz
Ralphie desperately wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas and does everything he can to convince his parents and Santa Claus that it's the perfect gift. Along the way, Ralphie faces numerous obstacles, including bullies, a strict teacher, and the warnings from adults that he'll shoot his eye out. Despite the challenges, Ralphie remains determined and hopeful. At the end Ralphie finally receives his beloved Red Ryder BB gun and realizing that the true magic of Christmas lies in the love and togetherness of his family.
Dad: 'Fra-gee-lay', that must be Italian.
Trivia: "A Christmas Story" is one of the favorite films of "South Park" co-creator Trey Parker. Parker used the inspiration of bully Scut Farkus to create Scott Tenorman, the bully from "South Park."
Question: Why doesn't Ralphie's father realise he's the one who unintentionally taught his son how to cuss, much less buy his lame excuse?
Answer: I think he did know. When he tells Ralphie to get in the car after saying the bad word, he kinda laughs to himself. It's only after Mom razzes him about taking too long to change the tire that he decides to share that Ralphie swore.
Join the mailing list
Separate from membership, this is to get updates about mistakes in recent releases. Addresses are not passed on to any third party, and are used solely for direct communication from this site. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Check out the mistake & trivia books, on Kindle and in paperback.
Answer: Because it's a funny look at real life. It's common for parents to cuss around their children, then be shocked when the kids start using the language themselves.
Exactly right. My parents cussed quite a bit when I was a child, but the first time I ever swore in front of my mother, she thought I learned it from watching The Real World with my sister.
immortal eskimo
True. I'd forgotten I learned how to cuss from my folks.
Rob245