The Movie ‘A Christmas Story’ Needs a Home Inspection
Share News:
I don’t know about you, but it ain’t Christmas if whatever channel that plays A Christmas Story on repeat isn’t on in the background, and getting watched, in part or in whole, at some point during the day. I remember seeing this movie when I was a kid in the theater with my family, and even though the times were different then, the movie resonated, as it does now. Which is why, of course, this movie has taken its rightful place among the Christmas movie classics over the years. No matter the era, childhood is tough, and Christmas is chaos, but in spite of it all, families manage to come together.
Last year, Upon Closer Inspection took a closer look at the movie Christmas Vacation and found a few items that needed attention at the Griswold home. (Oh Clark!) This year, we thought we’d aim our inspectors’ eyes at Ralphie’s house.
It’s A Clinker!
All Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder BB Gun, but his dad is dreaming of a new furnace. We get a great time capsule image of home heating in 1939 America with this whole furnace situation. As it happens, 1939 was the year that the fire and smoke damper began to be required in HVAC systems, so this damper would have been fairly new-fangled.
It was basically a way to control the flue vent in case of fire or smoke. When he yells, “Open up the damper!” the smoke would have been directed out of the house through a roof vent, rather than collecting in the basement. You would set it to “closed” when not in use, “draft” when in normal use, and fully “open” when smoke was present.
Killer Sink
Daddy’s not going to kill Ralphie, but that sink might. Oh, I know it’s gorgeous. That amazing cast iron sink is to die for, but in the 1930s and ’40s they were manufactured using lead and that means they could leach lead into the water. Not only that but back then they didn’t seal them like they do now and they cracked and rusted much easier which is also toxic as heck. While we’re at it, all the pipes are no doubt cast iron, too. It’s a wonder any of our grandparents survived.
A Shocking Display
The Old Man gives Clark Griswold a run for his money with that outlet, and bless him, he’s just trying to light up one lamp. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, do not overload your outlets. Even in the modern age of GFCI protection and surge protectors, you can still shock yourself or start a fire. Back in Ralphie’s day, it was all too easy. We’re especially susceptible to this around the holidays when we’re plugging in lights and decorations, new toys and trains and gadgets, extra cooking utensils, etc.
If you, like me, have a collection of tacky A Christmas Story lamps including two nightlights, three ornaments, one mini light, one actual lamp, and an ugly Christmas sweater that lights up, well … I feel sorry for you. Because I’m talking about my husband, not me. And if you need a home inspection this holiday season, give us a call!
