CLEVELAND, OH -- (Marketwire) -- 08/28/09 -- A Christmas Story House & Museum just reached
a major milestone with its 100,000th visitor. Brunswick, Maine's Lee
Stanton won the distinction -- and a leg lamp -- on his stop in Cleveland
to visit the pop culture destination where people from around the globe go
to celebrate the holiday movie classic, "A Christmas Story."
A Christmas Story House & Museum (www.AChristmasStoryHouse.com), located in
Cleveland, Ohio's Tremont neighborhood, is one of the original locations
for the 1983 holiday film in which Ralphie Parker pleads for a Red Ryder BB
Gun although everyone assures him he will only shoot his eye out. Visitors
to the house take a nostalgic journey through the sights and scenes of the
film, including visiting memorable spots such as the backyard where Ralphie
battled Black Bart, under the sink where little brother Randy hid because
"Daddy's gonna kill Ralphie!," and the bathroom where Ralphie's decoder
ring helps him to decipher, "Be sure to drink your Ovaltine." Of course,
the front window is graced with "the soft glow of electric sex" from the
Old Man's leg lamp, which he called a "major award." In addition, the
museum contains hundreds of photographs and original props, including the
"I can't put my arms down" snowsuit.
The house was purchased in 2004 by 33-year-old San Diego native Brian
Jones, a fan of the movie and founder of www.RedRiderLegLamps.com. Jones
saw the house listed on eBay, made an offer of $150,000, spent $247,000 to
renovate the outside and make the inside match the movie's sound stage, and
opened it as a tourist destination Thanksgiving weekend 2006.
Fast-forward to summer 2009, and 26-year-old physical therapist Lee Stanton
insists on a stop to the house on his drive from Maine to compete in an
Ironman competition in Lousiville, Kentucky. "I have probably watched the
movie 25 times since I was 10 years old; it is one of my favorites. We got
lucky!" Traveling with his mother, Sally Stanton of Fair Haven, Vermont,
the pair decided to stay an extra day in Cleveland just to see the movie
lovers' mecca. She said, "It couldn't have happened to a better person. He
really loves the movie!"
The Stantons are taking home the same "major award" as the Old Man, a leg
lamp, as well as other A Christmas Story House memorabilia, including an
actual piece of the house, framed along with a commemorative ticket. About
the house Lee Stanton says, "They haven't missed a detail."
Since opening, the house has hosted three weddings, one renewal of vows and
two proposals. Visitors have come from all 50 states and many countries,
including Germany, England, China, Switzerland, Australia, Sweden,
Netherlands, Ireland, Mexico and Thailand.
Brian Jones says, "We knew this milestone was approaching, but anticipated
reaching 100,000 visitors in late October. People from all over the country
and all over the world who love the movie have been coming in record
numbers to join in the fun. It's a great honor to share my tribute to one
of the most memorable movies of our time with everyone, and especially
today with Lee Stanton."
What's next? This season, two holiday classic movies will collide: A
Christmas Story House & Museum will "go Griswold" and bedeck in 25,0000
twinkle lights to celebrate the 20th anniversary of National Lampoon's®
"A Christmas Vacation," starring Chevy Chase. To commemorate, A Christmas
Story House gift shop will sell replica moose mugs, just like the ones that
Clark and Cousin Eddie toasted.
ABOUT THE HOUSE & MOVIE:
"A Christmas Story" starred the late Darren McGavin as The Old Man and
Peter Billingsley as Ralphie. The film became a holiday favorite years
after its theatrical release and is celebrated annually on cable with a
daylong marathon.
A Christmas Story House & Museum is located just five minutes from downtown
Cleveland at 3159 W. 11th St. in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood. It is
open year-round on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and
Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Tours of the house run every 30 minutes. Regular
admission tickets are $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors, $5.50 for
children (ages 7 to 12) and free for children ages 6 and under. For more
information or for directions, visit www.AChristmasStoryHouse.com or call
216-298-4919. You can also purchase leg lamps and other items online,
including this year's new Pink Nightmare Bunny Suit, just like the one from
Aunt Clara.
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