'Say Uncle!
Louder!'
Scut Farkus
When I was looking for actors and movies to feature in this years Christmas day edition of 12 Days, I kept coming back to A Christmas Story. It was strange to me, because although I know the film is a cult classic, it was a film for some reason, I had never seen. Yes, I knew it had marathons most Christmas' and yes, I had caught a few minutes here and there, but for some reason, even though I owned the DVD, (it was given as a gift) I was not drawn to the film.
For some reason, I am not sure the film is a cult favorite of many gay men. There is a bully, a distant father, and a main character, whose dream is to won a gun. But, we can all relate to being a kid, and dreaming of a specific Christmas gift, we will die if we don't get. Mine was always a dog, and I was always disappointed. This year however, maybe due to the added publicity of Fox's musical version, I decided to give it a full viewing.
It's funny because despite it's title, there really isn't much 'story' in A Christmas Story. I enjoyed the film, but not sure enough to warrant a second viewing. What the film had going for it, in addition to it's nostalgic look a 1940's Christmas, was a half a dozen great scenes. Memorable scenes such the dogs stealing the turkey, Randy and Ralphie at the mall and for me, the viewing of the Higbee store;s Christmas window display.
What the film also had, was pitch perfect performances by actors Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin and Zack Ward. I hate bully's, but Zach's Scut Farkus, along with his sidekick Grover Dill, were adorable. Adorable in a grade school bully from the 40's kind of way, not a school bully from the 2010's kind of way. Scut and Grover were clearly from struggling families, families without a lot of extra love, or money. Their bullying was cruel of course, but also had limits, mostly confined to pummelling a snowball at your face, or putting you into a headlock until you said Uncle.
Then & Now: Zach with Yano Anaya (Grover Dill)
Scut is one of the films most iconic and memorable characters, and a quick google search of actor Zack Ward led to some surprising and sexy results. My love of gingers is well known to FH readers, and little Scut grew up to be a hot one! I don't think I ever would have guessed seeing recent images of Zack that it was the same person from the 1983 film.
'Zack got his first big audition for the film, and about 300 kids showed up for the part (originally he was the sidekick, Grover), and he kept getting called back until it was him and one other redhead. He won the role. On the first set, in Cleveland, the director told him that he was to play the part of Scut Farcus instead of Grover. This was his breakthrough.'
A Christmas Story was the Canadian born actor's first film, and he followed up his role of Scut with roles on Canadian television shows like Neon Rider, My Secret Identity, Anne of Green Gables and Road to Avonlea. As he got older, Zack beganworking steadily south of the border in films like Freddy vs. Jason, and Transformers and on TV in shows like NYPD Blue, JAG, Deadwood and most recently on American Horror Story: Cult. Zack also spent three seasons on the FOX show Titus.
Zach in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008)
Zach in Titus (2000-2002)
