A CHRISTMAS STORY TREASURY Explores How a Canadian-Made Movie Became America's Top Holiday Film

In 1983, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert reviewed a modest movie called A Christmas Story:

Siskel: "I really wonder if anybody is going to see it, I sure hope they do"

Ebert: "My guess is either nobody is going to see it, or millions of people will go to see it, because it will catch on."

A Christmas Story, which was filmed in Toronto, Scarborough and St. Catharines, Ontario, initially received a tepid reception from moviegoers, but thirty years later it is widely considered one of the best Christmas films of all time.

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of A Christmas Story, is a new interactive, full-colour, hard-cover book A Christmas Story Treasury by Oakville-based author and entrepreneur Tyler Schwartz, that tells the story behind the film's unlikely success and reveals it's humble Canadian beginnings.

A Christmas Story Treasury features never before seen stories and photos that author Tyler Schwartz, of RetroFestive.ca, discovered while interviewing dozens of actors and Canadian production personnel from A Christmas Story. Tyler reveals the behind-the scenes stories and funny trivia to establish why and how the film became a holiday staple.

Tyler Schwartz is a writer, entrepreneur and the Director of Canadian Operations for A Christmas Story House & Museum. In 2007 Tyler, with his wife Jordie, started RetroFestive.ca, Canada's Pop Culture Christmas Store. Their love of retro Christmas movies quickly became a business opportunity as they discovered a demand for holiday movie collectibles and Christmas kitsch. Retro Festive makes shoppers feel like a kid at Christmas all year round!

A Christmas Story Treasury (Running Press, 2013) pull-out mementos include sound effect buttons featuring eight memorable quotes by the film's narrator, Jean Shepherd including "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!"; a Certificate of membership to the Little Orphan Annie Secret Circle; recipe cards for Mom's Christmas Turkey and Chinese Turkey; Ralphie's hand-written theme, "What I Want for Christmas" for Miss Shields; A Christmas Story 9 x 12" movie poster; a replica of the telegram notifying the Old Man about his "major award" - the infamous Leg Lamp; and a "Merry Christmas from the Parkers" greeting card.

A Christmas Story TreasuryA Tribute to the Original, Traditional, One-Hundred-Percent, Red-Blooded, Two-Fisted, All-American Holiday Movie Available wherever books are sold or online at: www.retrofestive.ca/treasury.

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