Whats with the Wizard of Oz characters in A Christmas Story?
I approximate that this film took place in 1939-1940. This is based on the Little Orphan Annie radio program which ran from 1930 only through 1940 (Ovaltine became the sponsor in 1931). This tells us this Christmas took place no later than 1940. Now, The Wizard of Oz movie first debuted in theatres in 1939. So, since the Oz movie (which was enormously popular at the time of its release) had just found an audience and was beloved by children and families, it stands to reason that the characters were used not only in lots of store promotions (like at Higbee’s Dept. Store) and Christmas parades, but also that they were front-and-center in the mind of little Ralphie who likely saw the movie (or new a lot about it anyway). Think of it like Disney promoting The Incredibles or Bee Movie today. I
According to my father, the Wizard of Oz was released and quite popular during the time period of the film “A Christmas Story”…1939-1940…when Jean Shepherd was a boy asking for his Red Ryder BB Gun…. I always loved this film (A Christmas Story) and often wondered the same thing. I think it was last year that I finall spoke up (sarcastically, mind you) about it. My father, ever the willing supplier of useless yet entertaining information, supplied me with the above. There you have it. Merry Christmas!
I approximate that this film took place in 1939-1940. This is based on the Little Orphan Annie radio program which ran from 1930 only through 1940 (Ovaltine became the sponsor in 1931). This tells us this Christmas took place no later than 1940. Now, The Wizard of Oz movie first debuted in theatres in 1939. So, since the Oz movie (which was enormously popular at the time of its release) had just found an audience and was beloved by children and families, it stands to reason that the characters were used not only in lots of store promotions (like at Higbee’s Dept. Store) and Christmas parades, but also that they were front-and-center in the mind of little Ralphie who likely saw the movie (or new a lot about it anyway). Think of it like Disney promoting The Incredibles or Bee Movie today. I
