Mention A Christmas Story and immediately everyone starts talking about that unforgettable flagpole scene. You know, the one where Flick is "triple-dog dared" into sticking his tongue on that cold pole in the dead of winter and, well, you know what happens next. So, what better way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this timeless holiday classic than with a statue replicating that oh-so painful moment.
A bronze statue of Flick (complete with flailing arms) will be unveiled in Hammond, Indiana, today, just south of Interstate 80-94. The city was home to author and radio host Jean Shepherd, who narrated the movie as the adult version of little Ralphie Parker. It was Shepherd's childhood memories that inspired the film — right down to real-life buddy Jack Flickinger, who really did survive tongue injuries, and wound up running a tap (Flick's Tap) near the welcome center in the '80s.
While Flickinger passed in the late '90s, his daughter will attend today's unveiling, as well as Scott Schwartz, the actor who played Flick. Spokeswoman Nicki Mackowski-Gladstone says there will be signs directing visitors to the statue, and if you do plan to stroll on by, "it will be lick at your own risk.” (Chicago Tribune)
Photo: Via Zbigniew Bzdak, Chicago Tribune.