IT'S SMILING AT ME:

Hammond restaurant inspired memorable Peking duck scene in 'A Christmas Story' (MOLLY WOULFE, December 22, 2010, nwi.com)

Thwack!

One stroke of a cleaver, and Jean Shepherd immortalized Peking duck as "Chinese turkey" in "A Christmas Story."

To recreate the Parkers' Yule meal in the 1983 film, read on. But let's first pay tribute to the Hammond family and restaurant that inspired the memorable Chop Suey Palace scene.

When TBS kicks off its 24-hour film marathon at 7 p.m. Friday, watch the restaurant action closely. The proprietor (actor John Wong) exudes goodwill to his guests, their turkey savaged by the Bumpus hounds.

The late Charles Sang, owner of the Cam-Lan in Hammond, was as solicitous.