This movie is definitely the epitome of forgotten, since I didn't even know that it existed until this very moment!

I love this era of Disney in the 80's. It all felt so dreamy, experimental and bizarre. Not commercial for sure, but it's a vibe that can never be recaptured.

7:45 Shepherd’s ability to paint amazing word pictures was honed during his 50-year career in radio, spent spinning his humorous anecdotes and heartwarming tales of small-town Americana. I remember my father always tuned our huge, outdated radio into Jean’s shows, regardless of what the rest of the family may have been watching on the TV 🙂

One of the best channels on KZfaq!

It's always funny when a forgotten movie manages to capture the essence of a story better than a dozen soulless sequels and it gets doubly ironic when it's also a movie made by Disney of all people!

It's just wild to me that there are 4 sequels to Christmas Story

To the casting director who hired that Darren McGavin dead ringer to play The Old Man, you are deeply appreciated and I hope you were compensated well.

What puts the cherry on top with A Christmas Story is that authentic Norman Rockwell look throughout the whole film. I'll have to check this movie out.

I actually watched this movie BEFORE I watched Christmas story. It was one of my favorites as a kid and I only watched Christmas story because I recognized Gene Sheperds voice over. I owe alot to this film. Lol

This movie was a cult classic in my household, with many lines getting repeated throughout the years. Whenever anyone would complain about dinner it was "I want a peanut butter SANDWICH!". My personal favorite was the smash cut after the line "Let's go, it's getting late, we're not buying any JUNK TODAY!". Makes me giggle every time.

I remember seeing it on Disney Channel when it was a paid subscription. It was a free preview week and I saw it was at the time a sequel to A Christmas Story. I've told over the years people about this movie, since they were an accult follower of A Christmas Story, either they didn't believe it existed or couldn't believe that it was a sequel.

As I kid, I always thought Life With Louie owed a lot to Jean Shepard's storytelling format, but Louie Anderson was enough of a unique storyteller to make it work on his own.

Thank you for highlighting the work of Jean Shepherd. Truly an understated legend. Really surprised no one else has talked about him in the comments. He had a radio show and had a PBS series. He knew Jack Kerouac and was part of the beat movement, writing for the Village Voice. Look him up on KZfaq for a bunch of recordings of the radio show and his interview with Larry King.

Oh, man, when you mentioned that you found it at the public library, it took me back to my teen years in the late 90’s. I watched so many old, rare, and out of print movies thanks to the Los Angeles public library system. And old radio shows on tape, too, along with of course out of print books on the subjects - I used to read so many biographies and memoirs related to classic movies.

I saw this so many times as a kid, I’m pretty sure HBO played it pretty often, as we didn’t have the Disney Channel. James B Sikking was the dad on Doogie Howser, and Dorothy Lyman played Naomi on Mama’s Family!

I’ve never heard of this movie until now. I’ve watched My Summer Story, or It Runs in the Family as I always knew it, and enjoy it quite a bit. It’s amazing just how many sequels A Christmas Story has and yet most don’t come close to being able to capture the magic the original film had. Thanks for the video man!

James Sikking is a real underrated character actor. Great in Star Trek III for his small role and incredible in Hill Street Blues as Lt. Hunter.

This movie is very dear to me. My mother rented it from the local library when we were kids (circa 1995) and I remember really liking it. I forgot the title, which is not surprising considering how weird it is, and searched for it for years and years. After countless years of searching I finally tracked it down online once I rediscovered the title and fortunately someone had uploaded it to KZfaq which I immediately downloaded for my own safekeeping. This was about 7 years ago. It was so fun to watch this again, and also confirmed that I didn't just make this movie up in my head. Along with his research I also discovered the 80s made for TV movies, particularly the 4th of July one which I also remembered watching on TV with my dad in the early 90s. Fortunately, someone had also uploaded that one to KZfaq which I immediately downloaded as well. My mind was blown when I connected the dots that this was all based on the same family I remember from A Christmas Story! My Summer Story is also a movie from my childhood I remember watching as a family and I love that movie as well. That one was probably the biggest shock to realize it was connected to A Christmas Story, as I had never realized that as a kid. Thank you so much for bringing attention to this series of films! This knowledge needs to be out there.

I never forgot this movie. We managed to record it on VHS (long gone) when I was a kid, and we'd watch it. The refrigerator moving scene, for some reason, made me very concerned that I would have to move lots of them in the future.

I actually remember seeing this on TV a few times in the late 80s, and I always wondered why it was so similar to Christmas Story. Little did I know it was a sequel that would fade into obscurity.

This movie was a big part of my childhood, we had VHS copy and would watch this every summer to pre game for vacation. Also, when I got my first job, I realized how prophetic this movie really is.

You won’t shoot your eye out, but the 2012 version might make you want to.

I adored this movie when I was a kid. I had only seen it a handful of times on the Disney Channel but never knew the title. For years I would explain it and everybody always thought I was crazy haha

A personal favorite of mine! Another great reference to the original film is the fact that when the family is trying to find a shortcut we actually hear the exact same music cue that played when Ralphie in A Christmas Story was trying to decode Little Orphan Annie's secret message!

John Hughes owes a lot of his success with the Vacation movies to Jean Shepherd.

Let’s hope this next attempt at a sequel works better this time .

This movie is outstanding, I've loved it since the 80's.

Amazon actually has a DVD pack of not only the made for tv movies but also a huge pack of all of his available radio shows and live performances.

I always love this movie. I was so happy to find it on KZfaq when I was stuck in jury duty!

Oh my gosh. I watched Ollie hopnoodles haven of bliss repeatedly as a child but had no idea it was a follow up to a Christmas story. Possibly until just now.

James Sikking is a seriously underrated actor. I'm sure people remember him as Doogie Howser's dad but he's popped up in just about every other late 20th century crime drama I've watched, from Point Blank to The Star Chamber.

This sequal needs to be release on Disney+

Holy crap. I thought I was the only person that's seen this movie. My family constantly make the "I want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich"

Considering all the studios and film IP's Disney have been gobbling up it wouldn't surprise me if they forgot they hold the rights to this.... or just forgot it existed. Maybe if a Boutique Label approached Disney to License it for a physical release it could happen.

there are like 10 movies in the Christmas story universe following the same family… they aren’t “forgotten“ each of them has their own certain fan base

I remember seeing this on PBS a long time ago back in the 90s. My three favorite scenes are the windmill on top of the car, the bee attack, and the Ralphie and his dad sneaking away to see the monster dog. Although to be honest, I didn't know it was a sequel to A Christmas Story.

I live that movie! I've had a copy forever and I keep trying to get people to watch it, but it's just so difficult to keep anyone's attention now days.

I remember this one . I really enjoyed it ! I also saw the other versions that pbs did . I like them , but this one was the best

I remember watching this back in the day! It had to be like 1993 or something, it would come on Disney Channel a lot and even though my older brothers and sisters would tell me it was a Christmas story part two I didn’t believe them😂

My family found this at Hollywood Video, and we loved it. We rented it four or five times before it vanished from the store.

I used to rent and watch _Ollie Hopnoodle's_ (on VHS) from my old local grocery store's video section all the time in the mid to late 90's. It was my absolute favorite and I'd watch it often with my younger sisters. That movie has so many memorable lines from, "There's a bee in the car!" to, "I don't want this dumb ol' sandwich!" It's a classic. "What a lovely field!" "Ahhh! Spiders!" My mom actually made me a bootleg copy of the tape which I still have to this day. I doubt anyone cares at this point. Unfortunately, it didn't copy well so I've been on the hunt for an original tape for decades. Every time I go into a thrift store (which isn't often these days) I search the VHS tapes in hopes of finding _Ollie Hopnoodle's_. You can find it on KZfaq and it's worth a watch. It always blew my mind that it wasn't released on DVD, especially with the enormous popularity of _A Christmas Story._ If you enjoy this movie then you might also enjoy the _The Adventures of Pete and Pete_ episode "King of the Road."

I cannot thank you enough for this video for I saw no more than the last half of Ollie Hopnoodle’s so randomly on TV before 1990 and knew it was a sequel to Christmas Story, but was too young to discern the actors who play the parents from their predecessors. At one point, I thought Melinda Dillon returned to play the mom, but couldn’t find anything resembling this movie on her IMDb page years later and had forgotten Jean Shepherd’s narration so I didn’t think to look at his. You answered a question that I occasionally considered every now and then for over 20 years!

PBS is where I saw it. What I also remember was that there were a few other PBS ventures with Jean Shepard’s exploits…

Thanks again for another great video. I would love to see your take on a movie that came out last year, 8-Bit Christmas. It's a total spiritual successor to A Christmas Story.

My first job was actually really easy. RIP to all those kids baptised by fire with their first jobs.

Yeah, I’m pretty hyped for the new HBO Max sequel. It looks very promising, and the fact they casted all the same people from the first movie is incredible. I think you’ve already done a video on this before but it is still great.❤🙏🏻

Our family loves this movie!!!!! We recorded it on VHS in the early 90s. We always told friends about it and they never heard of it. My daughter found a DVD on ebay. Everyone who watches it absolutely loves it. We all can't believe it was not better known. Thank you so much for this!!! Hope everyone gers to see it. Tons and tons of laughs 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Some things are meant to stay forgotten, Joe. This is not one of them. Thanks.

I never knew this movie existed until this video.

What I wouldn't give for Peter Jackson to make an epic trilogy out of all of that. 6 movies. Extendeded cuts, and all. A true trilogy

Listening to this I just realized that Jean Shepherd is the voice of the father on Disney’s Carousel of Progress. I grew up on A Christmas Story and never put the two together

My brain combined A Christmas Story and My Summer story. No matter how many times I watch them they always feel like they are missing scenes lol

My wife introduced me to this movie when we started dating in the early 90's . I had no idea that it existed until them . She grew up in the country and they had a huge satellite dish . She video taped a lot of stuff back then . I didn't even have cable until I was a sophomore in high-school . I haven't watched this for a long time now , but I remember enjoying it .

I always envisioned a summer movie so much it appears to have come into existence

A Christmas Story Christmas is delightful. A good follow up

I'll be watching this tonight after work, I had heard about it a few times and being the type of person to wanna follow up and a fan of a Christmas Story growing up and still. I'm really excited. Thank you ☺️

Youre doing great work and service. Rarely you showcase a movie i havent seen. Today was one of those days. cant wait to catch this one.

I remember seeing this in the 2000's. And as me in early twenties would do and as 17 year old me had done, I smugly kept the knowledge to myself, knowing I was a true fan. I remember first seeing it in July of 1990 ona TBS Christmas in July movie block. I remember really enjoying it and tried to watch "Santa Claus The Movie" in the same block. Give Turner credit he could find diamonds in the rough. Though I do remember even at sixteen, the 24 hour marathon was a bit much. Speaking of TBS, Dorothy Lyman was "Naomi" on Mama's Family wasn't she?

I had no idea about the tv sequels! Sadly the Christmas Story house went up on the market this week. It’s big news in Cleveland. Hopefully it will stay open to the public.

Forgotten? Never knew! Hat's off to you sir!

Not forgotten by me. I definitely recall watching it on PBS back in the 90s. I believe it had a write-up cover story in the local newspaper's TV listings supplement in the Sunday edition. 🙂

Honestly, I'm fairly confident A Christmas Story Christmas will atleast be decent. It looks fairly in keeping with the original story.

I was never aware of Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss film! I'm hoping KZfaq has it somewhere.

Thank you for this! I have mentioned this and Phantom of the Open Hearth to people when we’ve talked about Christmas Story. They have no idea what I’m talking about! I love these, and wish they’d be run again!

Not going to lie, I really laughed at that bit about the pitstops. Not because it was relatable, it totally was, but it was like Jean Shepherd had a crack in his composure retelling it, like he was thinking to himself while narrating "seriously wtf Randy?"

Thank you for featuring this. I saw it on tv when I was a kid and didn't notice the an actress from Mama's Family was in it.

Another wonderful analysis. Thank you, Joe!

Thanks again Joey. Your editing, VO and dedication to these films is always refreshing. You still remember what it is to love cinema for what it was.

It’s A Christmas Story meets Vacation.

I saw this movie once. It was on 4th of July on some low-power station by the airport; it had poor audio and video quality. Family came home from the fireworks at the airforce base around 10-10:30 PM; we turned on the TV, and this was on. That was around '93, or '94. I've never seen any bit of it again until I watched this video just now.

I had never heard of this until now. Thanks for this!

I would have never known this existed if I hadn't been subbed to you. Thank you.

You know you gotta do a video on The Great American 4th of July (and other disasters) now. We need the whole ACS cinematic universe 😁

Jerry OConnell as an older Ralphie does seem perfect. You made many good points in this video. Now I have to see this for myself

I'm old enought to remember when this was new. it was never a theatrical movie, it was made for the Disney Channel back in the 80's which also explains why it's hard to find on video as it was a TV movie release and TV movies rarely if ever got video releases in the 80s on VHS. The demand for TV shows really didn't pick up until the release of DVD media since it took up less space.

We recorded it on VHS from ABC or the Disney Channel on the same tape as the 1960s King and I. It always made me feel better about not going anywhere for summer vacation. It could be worse. I could be cooped up with my family on a road trip.

I remember the ads for this when it came out but never saw the movie. Unlike some other Disney movies that have not aged well, this one could be shown along with National Lampoon's Summer Vacation. Thanks Hats Off!

I'm going to have to check this one out. Thank you

The nostalgia you just dropkicked into my head... I have been chasing THIS movie for years, I thought it was some other movie with Daniel Stern in it called 'Tourist Trap'. Thank you for saving me the disappointing trip down that rabbit hole.

Great Video. Great Find!

Thank you!

Reminded of Disney Channel used to show Garrison Keilor's "The Prairie Home Companion" back in the 80's.

Man A Christmas Story a True Classic Fizzes of memory I think I remember this one. Awesome Vid

Might have to check this out!

I remember having a tape of Ollie Hopnoodles recorded off the Disney Channel when they were doing one of the free cable previews they used to do when it was a premium channel. Knowing you had covered other Christmas Story sequels before, I was hoping this was what I thought it was when I clicked, and I'm glad it was.

Great video.

Remember loving this when I saw it on Disney Channel in 88. Wish Disney would put it on Disney+. Maybe with the sequel bringing back the original Christmas Story cast will cause Disney to just put it out again. As far as that Christmas Story 2 from 2012 can we all just collectively forget that flaming pile of craps even exists.

I thought I was the only person who knew about this movie, and loved it. Whenever I mentioned it to anyone else, they had no idea what I was talking about. Thanks for the video, Joe. :)

Isn’t there a movie where Ralphy and the kids at school are really into tops, and at recess they battle them or something, and the narrator was the same too I think

My family loved this film. We still quote "Fuzzhead", "Slob Art", ect to this day. I got a copy from a DVD reseller a long, long time ago from a less-than-good VHS rip and it was worth it.

I loved my Summer Story! Charles Grodin was awesome 👌. I'll have to check Ollie Hopnoodle out, thanks!

Nowadays, the chain smoking father would be replaced by a father maniacally checking his phone for his cryptocurrency.

There is a predecessor shepard movie also about him playing marbles

I loved and adored My Summer Story. I watched it at my grandparents' place years ago. Mary Steenburgen is the only lady to bring the same emotions and sentiment to Mrs. Parker. This one? i've never heard of. Ever. but the chickens on the highway are vaguely familiar

My family loved Olly Hopnoodle's when I was a kid. Long before A Christmas Story became so frustratingly and cynically ubiquitous. It's a quality film.

This looks awesome

I just watched this for the first time the other week. Definitely a hidden gem.

This looks like a hoot! I think I'll see if my family wants to watch it this year.

The scene I remember from Ollie Hopnoodle the most is wanting to bring the bath mat. I've always wondered why this hasn't made more of an impact... It's a very worthy follow up.

This movie lived in a weird memory that I had put away decades ago.