At 2:46, for those wondering, back in the 1940's, which is when this movie takes place, houses didn't have a lot of electrical outlets which is why the Parkers have so many plugs in that one outlet. People were forced to plug many things into one outlet. People blew fuses and had to replace them quite often.
I loved this passage from the book this movie was based on. It's still accurate even today in some ways... "Our entire world was strung together with "extensions." Outlets in our house were rare and coveted, each one buried under a Bakelite mound of three-way, seven-way and ten-way plugs and screw sockets, the entire mess caught in a twisted, snarling Gordian knot of frayed lamp cords, radio cords, and God knows what. Occasionally in some houses a critical point was reached and one of these electrical bombs went off, sometimes burning down whole blocks of homes, or more often blowing out the main fuse, plunging half the town into darkness." Older homes were built with the idea of people not needing more than a lamp or perhaps a radio, so rooms included just one or two receptacles at most. But our electrical needs have changed drastically since. That's why modern electrical codes now require outlets no more than six feet apart in new construction and rewired homes, to discourage this sort of thing. Unfortunately people still manage to crowd their outlets with dozens of plugs while ignoring the other empty ones.😁
This is very relatable. I lived in a house not that long that was built in the 20s and who knows when the last renovation was. Probably in the 70s or something. We had to be very careful with what we plugged in. We got surprisingly good at juggling around power, unfortunately the neighbors downstairs didn’t know how to manage it so it caused a fire and we had to move out. Good times.
There are soooo many things I could write on but THIS time, I'll comment on how much attention to placed on even the "minor" characters: The man delivering the lamp to the house, Swede, the neighbor, commenting on the "major award" out in the street and the man at the Christmas tree stand (not in these particular scenes), etc. etc. Priceless material!
I’m playing these characters in a local play adaptation of this movie. I’m excited and nervous because exactly what you just described. A cast mate brought it up to me today, and I never considered that I should be treating these lines and characters with much more care than just having a couple lines.
I have it! My husband introduced me to this movie about 5 years ago and I made it a mission to get the lamp and I did after Christmas sale 75%off we display it every Christmas 😂😂😂
How about the part where he plugs the lamp into the outlet? When you stop to think about the effects used, it’s honestly mind blowing. It sparks, is flames up. Then he taps around on it and more sparks and arcing occurs. This has got to be the most realistic special effects used for n a movie probably in 5-10 years. Yes, it’s very subtle. That’s the point. Almost leaves me guessing if they actually did plug in 20 components into one socket.
In a time when house cleaning was primarily done by the wife, I love the father just throwing the packing materials and lid all over the house with no care. The poor Mom.
Ah, yes-the one whom Ralphie’s dad calls a nincompoop(that’s also a sign of this outdated era, another term you certainly don’t hear anymore, used to mean a dummy, of course.)
Notice there is no credit for "Swede," the guy in the street who delivers that line. That's a cameo by Jean Shepherd, author of _In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash_, the book of stories the movie is based on.
When I was young, and everytime I watched this scene. Particularly at 3:51 I've always had a foreboding feeling that the Father won't be with them soon, from the way it was shot, with the Old man running out into the snow, as his family watches from the window, along with the peculiar piece of music that plays as he trudges through the snow. Now that the Sequel has been announced, and it's confirmed that Ralphie's father passed away. I can't help but think back to this scene.
My father and I bought my mother the leg lamp from the Christmas Story House for this Christmas. It comes in a carboard box with the same font and writing on it. My plan is, on Christmas Eve, we'll be watching this movie, of course. Right before this scene plays, I'm going to go down the hallway and "change into pajamas", which means I'm actually putting on my coat and hat, going quietly out the back door with the box, and knock on the front door right after the scene starts. Then I will reenact the delivery guy to my father who will get the door, and I tote the thing into the living room. Good plan? I think so. She'll laugh her ass off.
@@bezoticallyyours83 not really full scale though....somewhat smaller. I had a neighbor who had one i his window every Christmas season....it was definitely smaller.
And also the mom exclaiming (upon “accidentally” destroying the lamp):”Jealous? Of a PLASTIC leg?! Are you kidding?! That is, by far, the UGLIEST lamp I have EVER seen in my ENTIRE LIFE!!!”
I can only hope that more movies like this come out, this was/is a staple Christmas movie for a lot of us and hope that future generations get a movie like this for their time to appreciate for decades as well
Ahhh the 1940s. What a great time to raise children. Post war. Such simple times. Houses were so affordable that the woman could actually stay home. A man didn’t have to go to college to have a decent paying job & he could actually afford a car & an entire house on a modest salary. No internet, so no power struggles with the kids being on electronics all the time. No television to shut off at night. No distractions. No passwords, no email, no points rewards from stores. People connected with each other. Such better times.
My grandpa, born in 1938, said this was one of the most accurate movies that portrayed what it was like as a kid during that time. And it did indeed seem simpler.
No television? Trust me if someone wanted to, I highly doubt there would be any major differences in staying on the couch watching the fucking box TV all day.
I remember seeing this movie one summer on HBO I missed the first half of the movie and saw this part first it had me laughing so hard I never forgot that moment
@@spidertubethecoolguy2576 Brings back such wonderful memories of the movie (and the writer, Jean Shepard, who wrote the screenplay (based on his book with that as a chapter, which was based on his life growing up in the 40's) and who also narrated the film. Jean was on every night on WOR Radio in NY and our family would gather round the radio and listen to his stories -- he never scripted anything, apparently, just told stories with that magnificent voice. (This was in the late 60's/early 70;s) His books are well worth reading. The movie was based on a chapter or two from Jean's book "In God We Trust -- All Others Pay Cash".
May Both The Mother and Father Rest In Peace!!!
I love how the mother keeps stopping Ralphie from rubbing the leg LOL
The best part😂
@piggypooo yup 🤣
Rest in peace Darren McGavin 5/7/1922 to 2/25/2006 and Melinda Dillon 10/13/1939 to 1/9/2023.
They were some of the best and funniest Christmas parents.
The leg lamp became one of the most famous movie props of all times,
At 2:46, for those wondering, back in the 1940's, which is when this movie takes place, houses didn't have a lot of electrical outlets which is why the Parkers have so many plugs in that one outlet. People were forced to plug many things into one outlet. People blew fuses and had to replace them quite often.
HENRY! HE DID IT AGAIN! GO OVER AND GIVE THAT NEIGHBOR OF OURS WHAT FOR!
I loved this passage from the book this movie was based on. It's still accurate even today in some ways...
"Our entire world was strung together with "extensions." Outlets in our house were rare and coveted, each one buried under a Bakelite mound of three-way, seven-way and ten-way plugs and screw sockets, the entire mess caught in a twisted, snarling Gordian knot of frayed lamp cords, radio cords, and God knows what. Occasionally in some houses a critical point was reached and one of these electrical bombs went off, sometimes burning down whole blocks of homes, or more often blowing out the main fuse, plunging half the town into darkness."
Older homes were built with the idea of people not needing more than a lamp or perhaps a radio, so rooms included just one or two receptacles at most. But our electrical needs have changed drastically since. That's why modern electrical codes now require outlets no more than six feet apart in new construction and rewired homes, to discourage this sort of thing. Unfortunately people still manage to crowd their outlets with dozens of plugs while ignoring the other empty ones.😁
I though it was a joke about how the Major Reward needed a lot a power to both turn on and turn on
I like how the crowd is curious men build up outside the window. 😆
This is very relatable. I lived in a house not that long that was built in the 20s and who knows when the last renovation was. Probably in the 70s or something. We had to be very careful with what we plugged in. We got surprisingly good at juggling around power, unfortunately the neighbors downstairs didn’t know how to manage it so it caused a fire and we had to move out. Good times.
"frahgiiiiiiiileh, must be italian"
my fave line in the whole movie, i try to use it whenever i can in real life 🤣
Same
I do too lol the funniest part is people never laugh or reply. It just flies right over their heads lol
I do too lol the funniest part is people never laugh or reply. It just flies right over their heads lol
I do too lol the funniest part is people never laugh or reply. It just flies right over their heads lol
It says fragile goof ball
I love how Ralphie keeps trying to touch the leg. 😂. I think he started puberty that day.
"What is it?"
"I don't know."
"What's in it?"
"🤷♂"
It's like a statue.
Ralphie feels the lamp: Yeah! A statue!
There are soooo many things I could write on but THIS time, I'll comment on how much attention to placed on even the "minor" characters: The man delivering the lamp to the house, Swede, the neighbor, commenting on the "major award" out in the street and the man at the Christmas tree stand (not in these particular scenes), etc. etc. Priceless material!
‘ Dad‘s not going to kill Ralphie’
I’m playing these characters in a local play adaptation of this movie. I’m excited and nervous because exactly what you just described. A cast mate brought it up to me today, and I never considered that I should be treating these lines and characters with much more care than just having a couple lines.
Don't forget the 12 times Ralphie tries to feel up the leg!😂😂
The man delivering is one of my favorite parts of the movie! The look he gives him is priceless!!!!
“The old man’s eyes boggled; overcome by art.”
Just the way the father goes all in with his overly emotional love for it, is what really sells this scene, and makes it more hilarious.
And he won it in a raffle because he completed a crossword puzzle. Its brilliant.
My favorite character in this movie is the Old Man. A Christmas Story Christmas has a wonderful tribute to him.
I agree. We love this movie.
*FRA-GEE-LAY!*
It must be Italian!
😂😂😂
Guess he can’t spell, yet he reads the newspaper daily.
I look forward to that line every year...now I can enjoy it whenever I want. God bless the internet!!!
Best scene. Darren was such a comedian. My brother bought the lamp and even said when he was showing us “it’s fra-gee-lay 😌”
lol epic!!
He could do drama too. Best example is The Natural
Must be Italian
One of my favorite takes is from the delivery guy at 0:15. I laugh so hard every time. Way to make the most of a small role🤘🏼
This is seriously one of the greatest movie scenes of all time. "FRA-GEE-LAY...must be Italian!" kills me every time
It was Christmas and he didn’t tip the delivery men.
I still say it out loud every time I see FRAGILE on anything
Me, too. 😂
1:59 "yeah a statue" funny part I liked.
I love how the mom is trying to hide her face with her hair. LOL.🤣🤣🎄🎄
I love how the box says "this end up" and "fragile" but they just drop the box on the side.
The Greatest Scene in Cinematic History..............
FraGilAy!
Not even close.....
Agreed 🤭
‘ mindpower ‘ 🤘😎
I genuinely feel pity for you if you think this is the greatest scene in cinematic history…. You need to watch more movies dude
I have it! My husband introduced me to this movie about 5 years ago and I made it a mission to get the lamp and I did after Christmas sale 75%off we display it every Christmas 😂😂😂
As soon as he gets attached to it, break it! Shsss😂😂😂
"It's, it's, it's indescribably beautiful!" Like he's seeing a sunset for the first time.
It reminds me of the 4th of July!
Hats off to the composer who orchestrated this scene in such a way that made the lamp feel both omnipotent , but also erotic at the same time
It’s a major award! I won it! I love how the whole block crowded around to look
Not much to do in that small town...
Not now Sweeney. Can't you see I'm busy?
best christmas movie ever
How about the part where he plugs the lamp into the outlet? When you stop to think about the effects used, it’s honestly mind blowing. It sparks, is flames up. Then he taps around on it and more sparks and arcing occurs. This has got to be the most realistic special effects used for n a movie probably in 5-10 years. Yes, it’s very subtle. That’s the point. Almost leaves me guessing if they actually did plug in 20 components into one socket.
Yes..lolol😂😂
Especially at Christmas..
I did it..and it would weight down..ugh!!!
The things you remember..
In real life, that extent of power outlet abuse is a case of an electrical fire accident waiting to happen.
Like a recipe for disaster.
0:55 When you sneeze and someone says “Salud”
"It, it, it, it's indescribably beautiful!"
"It reminds me of the 4th of July!"
@@nina1522/ I always use that line for everything/ some people get it and a few don’t, but I don’t care, just a cool line!
In a time when house cleaning was primarily done by the wife, I love the father just throwing the packing materials and lid all over the house with no care. The poor Mom.
It's sad that more and more people want this back.
@@godzillavkkGo outside.
@@a-nus Make me
I love how the crate says “His end up” 😂
Fra Gil LEE That must be Italian ?!?!?!?!?!?
Apparently Ralphie’s dad had never heard of the word “fragile” as a synonym for delicate, or “Handle With Care,” as the case would be.
4:09 the guy next to the old man is a cameo appearance of the Director Bob Clark.
Ah, yes-the one whom Ralphie’s dad calls a nincompoop(that’s also a sign of this outdated era, another term you certainly don’t hear anymore, used to mean a dummy, of course.)
“Damn hell you say you won it?” Lol
Notice there is no credit for "Swede," the guy in the street who delivers that line. That's a cameo by Jean Shepherd, author of _In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash_, the book of stories the movie is based on.
@@GraniteGuythat’s actually the director Bob Clark. Jean Shepherd makes a cameo waiting in line during the Santa scene
I still say “fruh-gee-lay, must be Italian” to this day whenever I see “fragile”.
I’m sure a lot of people my age do. Lol.
When I was young, and everytime I watched this scene. Particularly at 3:51
I've always had a foreboding feeling that the Father won't be with them soon, from the way it was shot, with the Old man running out into the snow, as his family watches from the window, along with the peculiar piece of music that plays as he trudges through the snow. Now that the Sequel has been announced, and it's confirmed that Ralphie's father passed away. I can't help but think back to this scene.
Actually, he lives well into Ralphie‘s adult life and has even met the grandkids. He dies at the beginning of the sequel
The entire neighborhood was turned on. Lmao best part
by electric sex!
RIP Melinda Dillon.
2:00 Look at Ralphie being mannish 😂😂😂
Fun Fact: at 4:09 the guy who’s next to the old man is actually Bob Clark the director making a cameo appearance
And he mispronounced fragile and he thought it was Italian lol..
It was so funny 😆😆😆😆. The leg lamp...
That's my neighborhood I grew up as a kid.west side of cleveland,those were unforgettable days! Different times!it looked the same in the 80's
My father and I bought my mother the leg lamp from the Christmas Story House for this Christmas. It comes in a carboard box with the same font and writing on it. My plan is, on Christmas Eve, we'll be watching this movie, of course. Right before this scene plays, I'm going to go down the hallway and "change into pajamas", which means I'm actually putting on my coat and hat, going quietly out the back door with the box, and knock on the front door right after the scene starts. Then I will reenact the delivery guy to my father who will get the door, and I tote the thing into the living room. Good plan? I think so. She'll laugh her ass off.
Side note: I don't have any cigars so a cigarette hanging out of my mouth will have to do. Or maybe a joint.
I am invested now. Would like to know how this goes.
@@Tay20 I will update here after it happens. lol
@@Tay20 Tomorrow night is the night. I even bought a clipboard and wrote up a fake delivery receipt. Went and bought a cigar earlier today.
Yessssa!
Ah! Fra-gee-lay! That must be Italian! 😆
One of the greatest movies ever made....!
Ive wanted a full scale, one to one replica of this lamp since i was just a little kid lol
They do make them. Lol
@@bezoticallyyours83 not really full scale though....somewhat smaller. I had a neighbor who had one i his window every Christmas season....it was definitely smaller.
0:53 - 0:56 “FRA-GEE-LAY! It must be Italian!”
The Best Christmas present EVER !!! 😂
Imagine getting a wooden crate package in 2021? 🤣😂
If you order something big enough that might be what it comes in.
Ok?...
The neighbor Svede who talks to the Old Man near the end of the clip was actually the director of the movie.
And the guy at the end of the line to see Santa is Jean Shepherd himself
“It’s a major award!”
😂😂😂 every time i see a lamp like that its definitely reminds me of this great Christmas classic.
Every year on Christmas, my family and I always watched this movie. Such nostalgic times.
“Hey you turned the light out!” Taps window.
YOU USED UP ALL THE GLUE ON PURPOSE!
@@donaldpaluga Lol! That’s my favorite line in the entire movie aside from “You’ll shoot your eye out!” and “Oh Fudge!” 😂
And also the mom exclaiming (upon “accidentally” destroying the lamp):”Jealous? Of a PLASTIC leg?! Are you kidding?! That is, by far, the UGLIEST lamp I have EVER seen in my ENTIRE LIFE!!!”
2:52 POW! 🔌💥
I had the privilege of playing Jean Shepard in the musical version in early December. I loved it.
a major aword 😂
Yo still one my all time favorites
Same here!
The horror on the mom’s face when he wants to put it in the window!😂😂😂
Actual footage of me when it's leg day at the gym
I can only hope that more movies like this come out, this was/is a staple Christmas movie for a lot of us and hope that future generations get a movie like this for their time to appreciate for decades as well
Ahhh the 1940s. What a great time to raise children. Post war. Such simple times. Houses were so affordable that the woman could actually stay home. A man didn’t have to go to college to have a decent paying job & he could actually afford a car & an entire house on a modest salary. No internet, so no power struggles with the kids being on electronics all the time. No television to shut off at night. No distractions. No passwords, no email, no points rewards from stores. People connected with each other. Such better times.
My grandpa, born in 1938, said this was one of the most accurate movies that portrayed what it was like as a kid during that time. And it did indeed seem simpler.
No television? Trust me if someone wanted to, I highly doubt there would be any major differences in staying on the couch watching the fucking box TV all day.
People connected with each other? I guess you’ve never been called a dirty Italian in the streets of NYC...
Afford a car? Most cars were about 800$, and boy if you knew how much that was back then you’d delete your comment.
embarrassing
Excellent movie I watch it every year
Kid starring as the father reaches up the skirt to touch (caress)the leg. 💥 lights turn on.
Ralphie constantly feeling up the leg lamp and his mom slapping his hand away always gets me😂😂😂
Fra-geel-lay... one of the most outstanding lines ever!
my dad has the leg lamp one of his friends got it for him ❤
I remember seeing this movie one summer on HBO I missed the first half of the movie and saw this part first it had me laughing so hard I never forgot that moment
"Frah-gee-lay" or if you're Groucho Marx, "fra-gill-ee"- takes all kinds...
Jack Nicholson was the first to be considered playing the old man, but he was too expensive to hire, so they went with Darren McGavin instead.
1:49 just tells it like it is 😂
"It's Indescribably BEAUTIFUL!" 😍🤣
I'm glad Amazon started using cardboard boxes rather than these wooden Italian boxes.
Thanks to that big evil baldy baby Jeff Bezos 👨🦲😂
my favorite movie
Insanely classic~
Darren McGavin r.i.p
That is by farthest thee nicest lamp, I have ever seen.
0:02 Mr. Parker is my favorite character 1:23
How proud hr was to win it
Beautiful lamp.
"Fragile. It must be Italian!"
The outlet sparked LOL
One of my neighbors asked me" how I got my other neighbors truck running ? " I said " mind power Jerry, mind power ."
Dad: It could be ANYTHING!
Me as a kid: You knew what you ordered.
WHAT IS IT??? IT'S A MAJOR AWARD
I actually have one of these major awards as a side table lamp, and I love it.
Melinda Dillon was so pretty in this movie.
She reminds me of my old boss. Same personality
RIP Melina Dillon 😢
yeah.. statue😏
Taken From A Christmas Story 2003 DVD (Disney Version)
Who’s here after her passing
I am.
There's just this duality🍎
Box: [This End Up].
Laborers: [Zero Fs Given. Lay box down lengthwise].
Actually says HIS end up, and that joke went whoosh right over your head
"Mindpower Swede, Mindpower!" 😂
2:53 I told you, you have too many plugs in one outlet.
There’s a reason why I got a leg lamp ornament
Me too! And it lights up!
@@cynthianewton6891 same as mine!
@@spidertubethecoolguy2576 Brings back such wonderful memories of the movie (and the writer, Jean Shepard, who wrote the screenplay (based on his book with that as a chapter, which was based on his life growing up in the 40's) and who also narrated the film. Jean was on every night on WOR Radio in NY and our family would gather round the radio and listen to his stories -- he never scripted anything, apparently, just told stories with that magnificent voice. (This was in the late 60's/early 70;s) His books are well worth reading. The movie was based on a chapter or two from Jean's book "In God We Trust -- All Others Pay Cash".
They must have only had one single outlet in the whole living room...and power strips did not exsist yet either I guess.
0:15 that man was so annoyed 😂
I have an ornament of the leg lamp that I always hang it on my Christmas tree.
😂😂
Frah - gee -lay must be French ..lil😂
The lamp = Justin Tucker’s leg
Ralphie = Ravens fans
The mom = the Lions after the 2021 game
This is one of the greatest lamps of all time
I love how the dad doesn't love the lamp because it's sexy or anything, he loves it because he won it. Lol