World News – USA – « A Christmas Story »: Scut Farkus should never be the tyrant in the film

In a crazy last minute line swap, A Christmas Story director Bob Clark took the bold move to bully Scut Farkus into the film in lieu of the original intention of having Grover Dill as a threat to the neighborhood.

The legendary Christmas film, which often runs on a loop during the holidays, could have looked a little different if Clark had stuck to Jean Shepherd’s original story: “In God we trust everyone else who pays cash. Shepherd wanted Grover Dill to select Ralphie, but Clark had different designs when he met the actors.

A Christmas Story House and Museum shared a screenshot of the original script that showed what Farkus Dill’s sidekick was supposed to be like. The site also revealed why Clark switched roles.

Apparently, actors Yano Anaya, who played Dill, and Zack Ward, who played Farkus, urged Clark to make the switch at the last minute.

« The excerpt from the following script shows that Grover Dill was supposed to be the tyrant and Scut Farkus the toad, » the museum says. « This would be more true of Jean Shepherd’s book » In God We Trust Everyone Else to Pay Cash, « which is a Christmas story based on. ”

« When Bob Clark introduced his characters Grover Dill (Yano Anaya) and Scut Farkus (Zack Ward) on the set of A Christmas Story director, he took one look at them and switched them, » the story continued. Clark said, “Okay, you get his lines and he gets yours. And it was just as quickly that the toad was promoted to bully. ”

Indeed, the picture posted on the museum grounds showed how Farkus was referred to as Dill’s « Toadie ». And it was Dill who was supposed to force Schwartz to scream « Uncle » when he put him on the ground.

Ward discussed how he got into the role of tyrant during A Christmas Story’s 35th anniversary in 2018.

« I auditioned eight times for it and ended up getting the part of the buddy [not the bully], » he told People. “I only had two lines and I showed up next to Yano Anaya on set and met [Director] Bob Clark for the first time. He saw that I was a foot taller than Yano and said: “You understand his lines, he gets yours. « So Scut Farkus became the tyrant and I became the beloved donkey of Christmas. ”

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Ward admits that he continues to be recognized for the role of Farkus. « The whole time! » he said. “People grew up with my stupid face and when they met me I was in a tire store and got a new tire. I was talking to this lady and she said, ‘Why do you look so familiar? ‘It’s bizarre because I’m not 13 years old anymore. I am a little grown up. ”

Despite an interview in 2018, Ward had a special glimpse into what could make A Christmas Story so special in 2020. « What brings people together are hard times, not easy times, » he commented. “When people see the film, they find that the difficulties have brought the family together as a unit. This isn’t glamorous, but we’ve all shared this with our families and friends. I don’t think studios are really comfortable showing that kind of reality, especially when it’s a kid’s world. ”

A Christmas story, Scut Farkus, Bob Clark, Yano Anaya, Ralphie