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Christmas Story director and son killed by drunk driver
Tuesday was usually family night for film director Bob Clark best known for "A Christmas Story" and the "Porky's" movies and his grown sons, Ariel and Michael.In the wee hours of Wednesday morning, Bob, 67, and Ariel headed out; it's unclear whether they were going to get something to eat or driving to Ariel's Santa Monica apartment. They had just driven a few blocks and were heading south on Pacific Coast Highway near the Bel-Air Bay Club at about 2:20 a.m. when a GMC Yukon swerved across the lane, striking their Infiniti Q-30 sedan head-on. Father and son were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the sport utility vehicle . . . was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, operating a motor vehicle without a driver's license and gross vehicular manslaughter. . . . Clark produced, directed and co-wrote "A Christmas Story," which was released in 1983; more than two decades later, it remains a holiday favorite, shown on television and racking up big DVD sales. Set in the 1940s and adapted from humorist Jean Shepherd's novel "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash," the film starred Peter Billingsley as Ralphie, a young boy determined to get a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas despite everyone's fears that he'd put his eye out. In 1997, TNT showed the film for 24 hours straight a first for the cable channel. On the film's 20th anniversary in 2003, a two-disc commemorative DVD was issued. In a 1997 interview with The Times, Clark said the movie struck a chord with audiences because it deals with a "special time and special feeling. Shepherd's material had the truth and heart in it." Rest in peace, good sir, and enjoy that Red Ryder Carbine Action Range-Model Air Rifle (with the 200 shot magazine and the compass in the stock) that the angels have for you. Posted by: Mike 2007-04-05 |
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