You know the face. Even if the name doesn't immediately ring a bell, you’ve definitely seen him. He’s the kid who issued the "triple-dog-dare." The one who watched with a mix of horror and glee as a tongue met a frozen flagpole in 1983.
R. D. Robb is a name that carries a weird, heavy weight in Hollywood history. For most of us, he’s forever Schwartz, the mischievous friend of Ralphie Parker in A Christmas Story. But if you look closer at the trajectory of R. D. Robb movies, you’ll find a story that’s way more complicated than just a holiday classic. It’s a career that spans from being a child star on Broadway to directing one of the most controversial, "banned" movies in Hollywood history.
Honestly, it’s a wild ride.
The Schwartz Legacy and Early Years
Let's get the obvious part out of the way first. A Christmas Story is basically the reason we're talking about him. Robb was just a kid when he played Schwartz, but his performance cemented a specific archetype of the "instigator" friend. Interestingly, people often get his role confused with Flick (played by Scott Schwartz). R. D. Robb didn't lick the pole; he was the one who pushed the buttons to make it happen.
Before the snowy streets of Hohman, Indiana, Robb was actually a seasoned stage pro. He was a "workhouse boy" in Oliver! on Broadway and even played Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol. The kid had chops.
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After the success of A Christmas Story, he didn't just disappear. You can spot him in The Brady Bunch Movie (1995) playing Charlie Anderson and in the 90s classic Matilda. He was working steadily. He was the reliable character actor you’d see in things like ER or Life Goes On. But by the mid-90s, he wanted more than just being "the guy from that Christmas movie." He wanted to be behind the camera.
The Don’s Plum Disaster: The Movie "They" Don’t Want You to See
This is where things get truly messy. If you search for R. D. Robb movies today, the most fascinating entry isn't a holiday film. It’s a black-and-white indie project called Don’s Plum.
Imagine this: It’s 1995. You’re R. D. Robb, and you’ve got a group of friends who happen to be the hottest young actors in the world. We’re talking Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire right before they became global superstars. You decide to shoot a largely improvised film about a group of young people hanging out at a diner, talking trash, and acting like, well, 20-somethings in the 90s.
It sounded like a masterpiece in the making. Instead, it became a legal nightmare.
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DiCaprio and Maguire eventually sued to block the film’s release. Why? They claimed they only agreed to do it as a short film or an acting exercise—not a feature-length theatrical release. The producers, including Robb and Dale Wheatley, disagreed. The legal battle was brutal.
- The Ban: A court settlement eventually ruled that the movie could never be released in the United States or Canada.
- The Aftermath: While it premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in 2001 to some decent reviews (some critics even compared it to Larry Clark’s Kids), it remains a "lost" film for North American audiences.
- The Conflict: The actors felt it was a "workshop" that might damage their pristine images. The filmmakers felt their art was being suppressed by ego.
It’s a bizarre footnote in cinema history. A director’s debut essentially being erased from his home country by his own friends. That kind of thing leaves a mark on a career.
Life as a Producer and the 2022 Return
Robb didn't let the Don’s Plum drama end him, but his focus shifted. He became a prolific producer. You’ll find his name on the credits for films like Gardens of the Night (2008) and the sci-fi thriller One Point O (also known as Paranoia 1.0). He found a niche in the indie world, helping bring darker, more complex stories to life.
But then, 2022 happened.
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Nostalgia is a powerful drug. When HBO Max (now Max) announced A Christmas Story Christmas, fans were skeptical. Could they really catch lightning in a bottle twice? A huge part of the sequel's success was the return of the original cast. R. D. Robb stepped back in front of the camera to play an adult Schwartz.
Seeing him back at the bar with Flick and Ralphie felt right. It was a full-circle moment. It reminded everyone that despite the legal drama of the 90s and the transition to producing, he’s still that kid who dared us to dream—or at least dared his friends to do something stupid.
What Most People Get Wrong About R. D. Robb
People often assume he just "stopped acting" after the 80s. Not true. He just evolved. He’s a guy who has seen every side of the industry: the child stardom, the Broadway grind, the directorial "blacklist," and the executive producer's chair.
His filmography is a weird mix of wholesome holiday cheer and gritty indie drama. It’s rare to see a career that bridges the gap between a TBS 24-hour marathon and a "banned" DiCaprio film.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Filmmakers
If you're looking to explore the work of R. D. Robb, don't just stick to the cable reruns. Here is how to actually engage with his body of work:
- Watch the 2022 Sequel: Honestly, it’s one of the few legacy sequels that actually works. Robb’s chemistry with the original cast is the highlight.
- Look for his Producer Credits: Check out Gardens of the Night. It’s a tough watch—dealing with heavy themes of child exploitation—but it shows the kind of serious, impactful work Robb was drawn to as he matured.
- The Don's Plum Rabbit Hole: You can't legally buy it in the US, but the history of the film is a masterclass in Hollywood law and the importance of "talent releases." If you're a filmmaker, study this case. It's a cautionary tale about why you need everything in writing, no matter how close you are with your cast.
- Support Indie Cinema: Much of Robb's later career has been about lifting up smaller projects. Following his production credits is a great way to find hidden gems you’d otherwise miss on streaming platforms.
R. D. Robb's journey proves that a career in movies isn't always a straight line to an Oscar. Sometimes it's a winding path through diners, courtrooms, and snowy Indiana backyards. Whether he’s producing a gritty drama or reprising a role from 40 years ago, he remains a singular figure in the Hollywood landscape.