Highlighting cinematic creations on the theme of holiday, American Centre will screen 'A Christmas Story' on December 2, Tuesday at 6 pm. Based on the short stories and semi-fictional anecdotes of author and raconteur Jean Shepherd, the film was directed by Bob Clark in 1983.

Producer Bob Clark and René Dupont the film stars Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin,Peter Billingsley,Ian Petrella,Scott Schwartz, R.D. Robb,Tedde Moore. Based on the book In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, it's a period piece set in roughly 1940, telling a series of vignettes about a young boy that's 9 years old in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

In 'A Christmas Story' a young boy named Ralphie wanted a Red Rider BB gun more than anything. Naturally he told everyone in a postition to help him of this great gift he wanted. He wrote an essay for his school teacher about what he wanted for Christmas and received a C+. Nothing devastated him more than the "you'll shoot your eye out" comment which she wrote on his paper. It seemed that his mother had spread this idea to his teacher as she said it often.

Ultimately young Ralphie went straight to the big guy himself, Santa with his request. In a shopping mall he waited in line for hours and just did get to see Santa. Instantly he froze unable to speak or respond. Such is the power that Santa can have over a small boy, is it not? He was asked what he wanted for Christmas but remained silent. Santa asked if he wanted a football and young Ralphie nodded. Then he slid down a cute and the encounter should have been at its completion.

But Ralphie realized the error of his ways and headed back up the chute to see Santa again. He tells Santa of the great Red Rider BB gun without haste (or stopping to breathe even.) Santa responds "You'll shoot your eye out." Young Ralphie was just destroyed by this response from jolly ole saint nick. Then mall santa said ho ho ho and placed his boot on Ralphie face and gave him a slight push down the chute.