It Runs in the Family (My Summer Story) (1994)

43% of users liked it
(787 ratings)

My Summer Story is the video title for It Runs in the Family. Based on the writings of humorist/raconteur Jean Shepherd, the film was the long-awaited sequel to the 1984 "sleeper" A Christmas Story. Set in the 1940s, the story is told from the point-of-view of Ralphie Parker (Kieran Culkin), who… More My Summer Story is the video title for It Runs in the Family. Based on the writings of humorist/raconteur Jean Shepherd, the film was the long-awaited sequel to the 1984 "sleeper" A Christmas Story. Set in the 1940s, the story is told from the point-of-view of Ralphie Parker (Kieran Culkin), who watches in bemusement as "The Old Man" (Charles Grodin) carries on a long-running feud with their hillbilly neighbors, the Bumpus family. Mary Steenburgen is cast as Ralphie's ditsy mom. Also appearing is yet another celebrity sibling, Christian Culkin. Jean Shepherd himself narrates, as he did in the earlier film, while the direction is in the hands of A Christmas Story's Bob Clark. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: Bob Clark (III), Bob Clark
Genres: Comedy, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Sep 23, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Aug 1, 2006
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
Pleasant and often amusing without ever recapturing the charm of A Christmas Story.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Conner R

Somehow this movie almost entirely revolves around the phenomena known as "tops". It's very similar to A Christmas Story without the christmas element. There's another obsession, almost sexual, with an inanimate object that is so overdone that it gets annoying… More
Somehow this movie almost entirely revolves around the phenomena known as "tops". It's very similar to A Christmas Story without the christmas element. There's another obsession, almost sexual, with an inanimate object that is so overdone that it gets annoying really fast. The child acting is obviously better, almost entirely Culkins. Charles Grodin also did well with what he had. All in all, it's better than A Christmas Story, but not by much.
Jason O

THIS is what they consider to be the sequel to one of the absolute best Christmas movies of all time: "A Christmas Story". The worst possible 'sequel' they could've possibly made.
Steve B

Well, it's no CHRISTMAS STORY, but if you don't make that impossible comparison, it's not a bad movie on its own. And Grodin does a pretty impressive McGavin, by the way.

Cast

            Charles Grodin as The Old Man

            Mary Steenburgen as Mom

            Kieran Culkin as Ralphie Parker

            Christian Culkin
            
            Al Mancini as Zudoc

            Troy Evans as Gertz

            Roy Brocksmith as Assessor

            Bernard Canepari as Neighbor #1

            Frank Collison as Floyd Bumpus

            Robert Dickman as Clovis Bumpus

            Wayne Grace as Emil Bumpus

            Whitby Hertford as Lug Ditka

            Ida Lee as Grandma Bumpus

            T.J. McInturff as Grover Dill

            Tedde Moore as Miss Shields

            Michael Mott as Fisherman

            Dick O'Neill as Pulaski

            Jack Ong as Mr. Won Lung

            William Preston Robertson as Grandpa Bumpus

            Antonia Rey as Gypsy Woman

            Glenn Shadix as Leopold Doppler

            Darwyn Swalve as Big Dickie Bumpus

            Scott Thomson as Delbert Bumpus

            John Voldstad as Ace Bumpus

            Jean Shepherd as Narrator

            Ken West as Neighbor #3

            Chris Owen as Scott Farkus
See full cast