A film that began life as a Christmas season hit in 1983 and has continued with annual 24-hour television screenings centered around December 25, will return to the big screen in Newtown this month. Another Christmas film will also be brought back for a special event this month, offering local audiences two opportunities to revisit these films as they were intended to be viewed.

Edmond Town Hall will host screenings of A Christmas Story, December 16-23.

Amid that, the historic building at 45 Main Street will also be offering a special screening of the 2003 Christmas comedy Elf, starring Will Farrell.

A Christmas Story follows the story of Ralphie (Peter Billingsley), a young boy in the 1940s who spends his time dodging a bully while trying to convince his parents (Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin), his teacher, and even Santa to allow him his dream gift: an official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot range model air rifle (which he reportedly mentions 28 times during the course of the film).

Based on semi-fictional anecdotes in Jean Shepherd’s 1966 book In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, the film is rated PG. It has a running time of 1 hour, 34 minutes.

Screenings are planned for Monday through Thursday, December 16-19, at 7 pm; Friday, December 20, at 7 and 9 pm; Saturday, December 21, at 4, 7, and 9 pm; Sunday, December 22, at 1, 4, and 7 pm; and Monday, December 23, at 7 pm.

Tickets for all shows are $3.

For those who miss the opportunity to see the comedy on ETH’s big screen, TBS will continue its annual tradition of a 24-hour marathon on Christmas Eve. The cable network has been running a Christmas Story marathon since 1997.

‘Elf’ And FAITH Food Pantry

On Saturday, December 21, State Senator Tony Hwang will be conducting a one-day food drive for FAITH Food Pantry.

Sen Hwang told The Newtown Bee recently that he was dismayed to see how empty the shelves at the nondenominational pantry were. The lawmaker, whose 28th District includes Newtown, decided to host a food drive to help stock the Church Hill Road pantry.

He first called the town hall, which provided the venue. He then contacted Newtown resident Todd Ingersoll, owner of Ingersoll Auto of Danbury, who helped provide the perfect holiday bonus incentive.

Sen Hwang is asking anyone in the area to visit the lobby of Edmond Town Hall between 10 am and 1 pm that day. Anyone who donates at least one nonperishable item will be thanked by the senator and given a free ticket for a 1 pm screening that afternoon of Elf.

For nearly seven years, Ingersoll Auto has provided tickets to at least one movie on a Saturday at Edmond Town Hall. This month’s free movie centers on the story of Buddy (Farrell), a human who was adopted and raised by Santa (Ed Asner) and his elves, primarily Papa Elf (Bob Newhart).

Once he learns that he’s human, Buddy heads to New York City to meet his biological father (James Caan), while also spreading cheer and meeting an entirely new family and circle of friends (Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, and Daniel Tay, et al).

Ironically, the film also features Peter Billingsley as Head Elf.

The film is rated PG and has a running time of 1 hour, 37 minutes.

FAITH is limited in its refrigerator and freezer space, so nonperishable food items, pet foods, cleaning supplies, and personal hygiene items are among the requests. For a list of current items being requested, visit newtownfoodpantry.org.