The cult Christmas classic A Christmas Story is a popular holiday comedy film based on the writings of author Jean Shepherd. The film follows Ralphie, a nine-year-old boy, on his quest to receive the perfect Christmas present: a Red Rider BB gun.

Author Jean Shepherd was popular for his radio shows and novels based on his nostalgic memories of life in the 1940s. The film A Christmas Story, which he co-wrote, was based on events recounted in his books In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash and Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories. Shepherd appears in the film; he is the man who directs Ralphie and his brother to the end of the Santa Claus line.