USA Today by Brandy McDonnell Oklahoman 11/7/2022
CHICKASHA, Okla. — Inspired by local legend, a 50-foot-tall recreation of the iconic "A Christmas Story" leg lamp — complete with a black high heel, fringed lampshade and box marked "fragile" — has become a permanent statue.
Built entirely out of fiberglass, the permanent sculpture is located in Chickasha's new downtown park. It measures 40-feet tall, stands atop a 10-foot crate and boasts "the soft glow of electric sex" that Ralphie admires in the classic 1983 movie, Joe Hutmacher told The Oklahoman, part of the USA TODAY Network.
How is Chickasha connected with the 'A Christmas Story' leg lamp?
When Chickasha native Noland James died in 2020 at the age of 89, many people were surprised that his obituary included the line, "Noland always felt his lamp was the prototype for the one in the movie 'A Christmas Story.'"
Hutmacher's voice trembled with emotion as he recalled the towering leg in his town and the man who inspired it.
"Noland was so gifted ... and the guy was very humble. Only to his close personal friends would he mention that he built the original leg lamp. He didn't promote himself in that manner, which is a strong indicator of character and personality to me. He was also one of my closest friends," Hutmacher said.
James, who taught at Oklahoma University in the School of Visual Arts for 30 years, used a women's mannequin for an unusual art display in his office until he retired.
More:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/11/06/christmas-story-lamp-chickasha-oklahoma-park-sculpture/8288167001/
