A CHRISTMAS STORY was 1983 episodic comedy set in the 1940s about the family life of young Ralphie (Billingsley) as Christmas approaches. The plot loosely revolves around Ralphie's desire for a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas that his mother (Dillon) has forbidden because she's afraid he'll shoot his eyes out. Among Shepherd's childhood musings are his narrow escapes from the neighborhood bullies, the battles of his old man (McGavin) with the smoke-belching furnace, Mom's attempts to get his little brother (Petrella) to eat, Dad's infatuation with an obnoxious leg lamp that looks like a woman's leg, and a nightmarish visit with Santa at the local department store.