1940 Westinghouse model 780x (Cdn)
This is the same type of radio as used as a prop in the movie "A Christmas Story".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdA__2tKoIU
Interior shots for the movie were filmed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada - So, the Parker family radio is actually Canadian. Through my research, it turns out that Westinghouse didn't produce an American equivalent of this radio either, so it is exclusively Canadian.
In the commentary on the 20th Anniversary DVD, director Bob Clark stated that it was difficult to find this radio when they shot the movie. It took me over two years to find one of my own.
Trying to replicate the way it looks in the movie, I bought a couple of vintage accessories: Flower pot, bowling trophy and doily.
The chromed globe on top of the radio is the bowling trophy. A hidden liquer dispenser with glasses is inside, top lifts off.
The radio and cabinet still need restoration. The movie incorrectly showed the tuning eye in red, don't know if I'll put a red lightbulb in there instead of the correct green tuning eye tube.
It will soon play Orphan Annie once again!
Comments and faves
Ken, KE1RI (54 months ago | reply)
Nice find and great idea to match the movie set. I think you need another doiley for the flower pot...protect that great finish.
This is so cool ,,, I hope the rest of your family feesl the same way.
Oh, if you see the nylon stocking / woman's leg lamp, please let me know so I can go out and get one for myself.
The Retro-Spector (54 months ago | reply)
Hi Ken,
There's a number of places you can get the leg lamps, but it seems that the most accurate one is the 50" one that sells through The "A Christmas Story" House & Museum.
I was very pleased to discover that they now have a Canadian branch of their store, in Oakville - very close to me.
www.redriderleglamps.com/Store.cfm?category=1 3&positi...
Good luck.
Ken, KE1RI (54 months ago | reply)
Retro..thanks so much for the leg lamp link. I told my wife all about it. She almost tossed me out on the street at the mere suggestion of my buying one and placing it in the front window (or anywhere). She is now going to call all our children and warn them against purchasing such a present for dad.
I'll work on her.
The Retro-Spector (54 months ago | reply)
You're very welcome, glad to help.
And if you do get one Ken you must forbid her from watering plants nearby!
:) Good luck on your methods of persuasion!
Ken, KE1RI (54 months ago | reply)
Retro....Antique Radio Classified Magazine, December, 2008...the lead article description is below:
"The crisis over, we can enjoy the season on the lighter note of Chris Jones's lead article about the 1940 Westinghouse console featured in the 1983 classic movie A Christmas Story. Like Ralphie in the story, many of us listened to Little Orphan Annie on the radio in our childhood and sent for the decoder to unveil the secret messages of Annie's club. As if we needed to be reminded, the significance of radio in our history, both national and personal looms large.
Is that your article?
The Retro-Spector (54 months ago | reply)
No, it's not my article. I'm very interested to see it though.
From what people are telling me about the ARC story, it seems that much of the same type of information I have given about the radio on the Antique Radio Forum and here in my Flickr pages made its way into that article.
Before I discovered the brand and model number by searching through tons of old advertisments, that information was unknown by radio collectors.
Very interested to see how the author got his information and who the people are that he credits.
galessa's plastics (54 months ago | reply)
fantastic radio! the idea of replicating the film set is amazing.
Antique Radios added this photo to his favorites. (52 months ago)
sevb25 (50 months ago | reply)
I've noticed in photos the Christmas Story House in Ohio doesn't even have the correct one!