Sunday, December 24, 2006

Whatever Happened To...Peter Billingsley

Like "Yo! Adrienne!" and "I'm walkin' here," some lines are so classic they immediately identify the movie in which they were spoken. Peter Billingsley, who played Ralphie in A Christmas Story, had this memorable gem:


"Only, I didn't say: "Fudge.'"

Simple. Brilliant.


A Christmas Story--my favorite Christmas-themed film--is a terrific story about hope and desire, and finding satisfaction even when one comes up just a bit short. Ralphie, played wonderfully by Billingsley, is at that uncomfortable age for kids. Tweeners, I guess they are called these days. Too young to understand an adult world, and too old to be completely innocent and naive. Ralphie's dream of getting a Red Ryder BB gun represents the same wish each of us have, really. That job, that significant other, that best friend--whatever--that will make our lives more complete. The secret is, we never reach the goal. Or, if we do, we quickly shoot our eye out.

Wishing for it is always more fun that getting it.

Peter Billingsley, best friends with Vince Vaughn for years, works currently as a film producer. Recently, Billingsley produced
The Break-Up, and is in pre-production now with Iron Man, which will star Robert Downey, Jr.

Oh, yeah...Merry Christmas, from the Film Geek family. Don't shoot your eye out!

6 comments:

Barbie Girl said...

Billingsley also had a small role in "The Break Up". I was all, "RALPHIE is GROWN UP and is kinda HOT!" When I watched it.

God I love A Christmas Story. And no matter how many times I watch it over the next 24 hours will I get sick of it!

Merry Christmas Film Geek Family!

larryosaurus said...

Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man?!? That's right up there with Ben Damon as Daredevil. Next you'll be telling me Nic Cage is Ghost Rider.... :)

Merry Christmas to y'all too!

Anonymous said...

Hope you and your family had a great Christmas...and best wishes for the New Year!

The Film Geek said...

Thank you, Hoyt. Happy New Year to you and your family, too. I hope it is peaceful.

jedijawa said...

I thought Ralphie was now doing porn under the name of "Black Bart" or "Scut Fargus". Man, that would be a pretty good porn name wouldn't it. Scut. :-)

Anonymous said...

A Christmas Story is right up there with "A Wonderful Life". If fact, if I had to pick between the two, there is no doubt I would pick "A Christmas Story".. I have my babies watch it every year and they love it. I hope it goes on to be a classic know as well as Wizard of Oz, because it is as good........MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL.......................