A Christmas Story (1983) — Screenplay
In 1940s Indiana, young Ralph Parker schemes to convince his skeptical family that a Red Ryder BB gun is the perfect Christmas gift, despite everyone warning he'll shoot his eye out.
- Written by
- Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, Bob Clark
- Genre
- Comedy, Family, Holiday
- Studio
- MGM
- Length
- 122 pages
This holiday comedy is a masterclass in balancing nostalgic world-building with sharp, character-driven humor. The screenplay’s episodic structure and Ralph’s wry first-person voice create a rich inner life, while the vivid period details make the 1940s setting feel tangibly real. Study its use of comedic repetition and escalating obstacles to see how simple desires drive a charming, timeless arc.
Read the full A Christmas Story (1983) screenplay in PDF, page by page, right here on Laper — or download the original script to study Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, Bob Clark’s scene work, dialogue and structure at your own pace. A free resource for screenwriters and film students learning Hollywood script format.