"The Great American Fourth of July and Other Disasters" is a movie made by Jean Shepherd. It was released in 1982. It is the second film in the Parker Family Saga, this being the same saga of "A Christmas Story" fame. The only way to see this movie currently is on Archive.org, and it is a pretty decent recording.
I was surprised that a movie set entirely in Indiana opens up in North Carolina, but the theming made sense. Jean was heading to a silly Mexican-themed park called "South of the Border." I've seen this place! He went there to get fireworks, which was a good way to start the movie... which is all about the fourth of July.
This movie collects a few more of his stories in a fun movie format. It went into his time in the marching band, his first blind date (which went horribly), and his father's obsession with fireworks, among other things. These are probably not his greatest stories, but they were still memorable.
There is a part that comes across as a little scary, and that had to do with a neighbor that was having a mental breakdown. He was secretly building his own firework, but it was more of a bomb than a firework. Damn nearly killed everyone when it went off. It was shocking but surprisingly fun in how it was presented.
I liked this movie, although I am still of the opinion that the first one was a little bit better. I still recommend it though, and it's fairly easy to find and watch for free. Jean Shepherd makes just about anything fun and interesting.
This blog was written on December 7, 2025.
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Of course a REAL American makes a BOMB as the ultimate 4th of July firework. We all know people who dream of doing such. Many of us are such people.
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