seasonal - Retroland

A Christmas Story

Humorist Jean Shepherd's memoirs of his youth in the early 1940's were compiled into a Christmastime feature in 1983, with Shepherd himself as the off-screen narrator. The result was a film that may have looked and sounded like a period piece, but A Christmas Story's nostalgic wit turned it into an undeniable, modern-day holiday classic. Let's take a look back at this beloved film.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

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He’s the leader of the pack, the guiding light that leads Santa on his journey every year, ensuring that all those gifts make it safely to a cozy resting place under the tree. His name is Rudolph, and for over four decades, kids have eagerly tuned in as the holidays draw near to share his adventurous journey - in the beloved, 1964 animated special, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

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When audiences last left the Griswold family in 1985, they had embarked upon an ambitious and well-intentioned vacation to Europe, which of course went horribly and hilariously awry. Four years later, they welcomed the entire extended family into their home for a traditional family holiday in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Miracle on 34th Street

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For anyone, young or old, who ever doubted the existence of Santa Claus, those doubts were summarily laid to rest in the immortal 1947 holiday classic, Miracle on 34th Street. Only the most jaded scrooge could have a heart impervious to the charm that has made this a tradition holiday favorite ever since its original release.

Snow Days

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Bing Crosby may have dreamed of a white Christmas, but if you were a kid who lived where it snowed, you dreamed of white school days. It was an unexpected vacation, maybe one day, maybe a week; it all depended on how much of the white stuff fell from the sky. Let's look back at this beloved winter surprise.

Snowball Fights

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There are very few times when a kid can throw a projectile at one of his friends or adversaries without parental admonishment. And yet, once a sufficient blanket of snow has fallen, the rules change. The potential for war suddenly looms ominously behind thick trees and parked cars and any other place that offers a momentary shield. Attacks come without warning and without mercy. After all, winter is here and that once-peaceful white powder is all that is needed to encourage battle, not to mention create an ample stockpile of munitions. Negotiations are futile, retribution is demanded - this is the season of the snowball fight.

Thanksgiving

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It is a day set aside for the gathering of family and friends. It is a day of feasts and football, of pilgrims and parades. Most importantly, it is a day that we are to stop for a moment and be grateful for all that we have. Often containing equal portions of relaxation and chaos, Thanksgiving may have various mixed emotions attached to it, but it is a tradition that we’ve collectively celebrated, through thick and thin, throughout our entire history as a nation.

Summer Vacation

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So, you’ve made it through the last day of school, signed all the yearbooks, said your goodbyes to friends and teachers, and taken your last bus ride home. It doesn’t quite hit you until the next day: it’s summertime and the livin' is easy.

Super Soaker

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So many scientists insist upon wasting their time on the boring stuff – medicine, space exploration, computer circuitry. It is the select few, the ones who understand the importance of playtime, that truly make the worthwhile contributions. In the 60s, it was the tireless hours in a laboratory perfecting the Super Ball, simply so that millions of kids could have the opportunity to play with a ball that could bounce over a house. And in the 80s, one brave scientist would re-invent the whole concept of water warfare. Put away those water balloons, holster that measly water pistol – there was a new breed of aquatic artillery on the block and its name was Super Soaker. Let’s take a look at the origins of this terrific toy.