A Christmas Story [Soundtrack]

Soundtrack (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 10, 2009)
• Original Release Date: November 10, 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Rhino
• ASIN: B002OH12PE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #34,462 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Never-before-available soundtrack score to this 1983 classic holiday film starring Peter Billingsley. One early review states the composers 'captured the eternal sound of Xmas with their music - a festively glistening sound that's awash with joy and innocence - yet one that doesn't clog the ears like sticky-sweet eggnog.'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brings back fond childhood memories..., December 6, 2009

By	Jamie Tate (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is great... as a kid I always wanted to have the soundtrack for A Christmas Story. It was such a pleasant surprise to see it was finally getting a proper soundtrack even if it was over 25 years later. This CD does NOT include the the big band stuff that played on the radio in various scenes so don't expect to hear Bing Crosby or the Andrews Sisters. Those songs can be easily found on many compilations though. I suggest the Bing Crosby's White Christmas CD on MCA/Excelsior (follow the link - catalog # MCAD-20820). It has everything you'll need.

What's on this CD are the orchestral music cues from the movie. You're going to be surprised how much of this music you already know. Just hearing these tracks automatically brings to mind the scene from the movie. It's pretty amazing.

Overall the soundtrack is quite enjoyable and entertaining. It combines some of the most popular Christmas songs with bits and pieces from several non-holiday pieces like the "donkey" cue from Grand Canyon Suite (trust me, you'll recognize it).

One of the tracks I always wanted was the music that plays during the ending credits. I was happy to finally hear this in its complete form.

For all you strict audiophile types out there the sound of the CD is on the bright side but I assume that's due to the way it was originally recorded and not a mastering decision. It's a very sensable presentation that doesn't suffer from too much tinkering.

I'm really happy the music from this film is finally available on CD. It'll be a holiday favorite of my family from now on.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally Released! Great Music from the Movie!, December 29, 2009

By	Michelle - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This CD contains all the wonderful (and quirky) music from the movie. Note that this is more of a movie score than a movie soundtrack in that what you get (except for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's "Silent Night) is the underlying music heard during the various scenes in the movie.

You get the wonderful "Deck The Halls" music that played in the intro (opening credits). Note this is titled "Bob's Major Award" on the CD (track 1) and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" heard at the end (the closing credits). Note this is titled "Glorious, Beautiful Christmas" (track 19).

I wish the tracks would have been laid out in the order they were heard in the movie, but that is only a minor complaint of mine.

All of the music on this CD, except noted below, is easily recognizable from the movie. This music compilation is a must-have for all true fans of A Christmas Story.

I do not recognize the track "Ming The Merciless" (track 13) from the movie. Perhaps that is due to the fact that there was a deleted scene titled "Ming The Merciless" featuring Ralphie and Ming The Merciless and Flash Gordon. This was supposed to be another dream sequence of Ralphie's. You'll notice in the closing credits that Ming The Merciless and Flash Gordon are listed as part of the cast. This is a known blooper. Anyway, I can't yet place this particular track in the movie, but nonethess, it is an interesting bit of movie trivia.

You will not hear the songs from the movie that were heard on the radio in the Parker's home such as "Jingle Bells" and "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" from Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters or "Jingle Bells" from Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians; however, you can get these songs in a variety of places including right here on Amazon. You also won't hear the Big Band music heard in the background on the Parker's radio.

For those wondering, the following is what was heard in the movie, but is NOT included on this CD:

"Jingle Bells"
"Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"
"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas"
Performed by Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters
Courtesy of MCA Records
(heard on the Parker's radio in their living room)


"Jingle Bells"
Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians
Courtesy of MCA Records

Recordings of Sterling Young and his Orchestra
and Sammy Kaye and his Orchestra
Courtesy of Hindsight Records
(heard on the Parker's radio in their living room)

The Holy Trinity Baptist Church Ensamble
Supervised by Phyllis Payden

Revere High School Band
Bandleader Deborah Schaefler
(Christmas Santa Claus Parade)

Parma High School Band
Bandleader Jim Sentz
(Christmas Santa Claus Parade)

Ohio Boychoir
Choirmaster Alexander Musichuk

Northeast Ohio Salvation Army Band
Supervised by Anita Hunt
(Opening Scene in front of Higbees Department Store)

I highly recommend this for anyone who loves A Christmas Story.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great, December 28, 2009

By	brian - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Christmas Story (MP3 Download)

A welcomed soundtrack with crisp, clean mastering. 2 very minor complaints: First, the tracks don't follow the same order from the film. And second, I'm not crazy about the sound effects layered on top of some of the tracks. Oh, well.