A CHRISTMAS STORY - A CHRISTMAS STORY DIRECTOR DIES IN CAR CRASH

ROBERT CLARK, the man who made classic holiday movie A CHRISTMAS STORY, has been killed in a California car crash. The 67-year-old director and his son, 22, were both killed when the Infiniti they were driving collided with a GMC Yukon sports utility vehicle in Pacific Palisades at 2.30am yesterday morning (04APR07). It has been reported that the driver of the Yukon was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the fatal accident and will be booked for investigation of gross vehicular manslaughter, upon his release from hospital. Clark's 1983 festive film, starring PETER BILLINGSLEY, has become a Christmas staple for American TV fans and often runs back-to-back during marathons on Christmas Day. Clark is also well known for his horror movies, which include BLACK CHRISTMAS and CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS. He was also the director of 1981 sex farce PORKY'S. His other memorable films included TURK 182, LOOSE CANNONS and RHINESTONE, which starred SYLVESTER STALLONE and DOLLY PARTON.