Taylor's brings a sense of humor to Christmas decorations

Bob Taylor’s Barber Shop is all decorated for Christmas. But, there aren’t any twinkling lights, or colorful, glittering ornaments decorating the small, two-chair shop. Instead there is a lamp sitting front and center in the store’s front window.

The lamp, which is shaped like a woman’s leg, is a replica of the one featured in the movie “A Christmas Story.”

The 1983 movie, which has become a holiday classic, tells the story of a young boy named Ralphie who dreams of owning a Red Rider BB gun but is told over and over again that he will “shoot his eye out.”
In the movie, the father wins the leg lamp, which he refers to as a “major award,” in a trivia contest for knowing the name of the Lone Ranger’s nephew’s horse. The lamp was featured on the movie’s posters and has become synonymous with the movie.

Although the leg lamp is a non-traditional Christmas decoration, Taylor said it is a perfect addition to his barber shop.

“We thought it was Christmassy,” he said. “We’re a little bit redneck around here.”

The leg lamp, which features fishnet hose, a black leather high-heeled shoe and a fringed shade, was constructed by Sedalia resident Bob Knapp. After watching the movie in theaters, Knapp said he thought it would be neat to own a leg lamp. So, the retired science teacher set out to find the necessary items.

Knapp said he spied the first and most important piece — the leg — during a Kansas City shopping trip with his wife.

“I saw a leg on display showing hose,” he said, “and I told them I wanted to buy it.” Although the department store was unable to sell the display leg, the store’s manager led Knapp to an antique store located near the Kansas state line. Knapp said the store was filled with vintage clothing and other random items.

When Knapp inquired about purchasing a leg, the store owner led him into a dark basement.

“It was a little house of horrors down there,” Knapp said. “There were torsos, legs and arms everywhere.”

After purchasing a Styrofoam-filled leg for $3 or $4, the lamp project began.

Knapp picked up the shoe at Salvation Army and had his wife affix black fringe to the lampshade. With some help from a few friends, Knapp drilled a hole  from the top of the leg through the bottom of the foot to place wiring and the leg lamp. After connecting the pieces, Knapp’s dream of owning a leg lamp was complete.

“I make all kinds of oddball things,” he said. “I thought it would be neat to have a leg lamp.”

Although Knapp was thrilled with his creation, he said his wife wasn’t as impressed by the lamp. “She wouldn’t let me bring it into the house,” he said.

After his spouse’s resistance, Knapp decided to build an outbuilding on his property.

“That is my man cave,” he said, “and that is where the lamp stays.”

The lamp was first put on display at the barber shop last year and due to its immense popularity Taylor decided to have Knapp bring it in again.

“People were asking about it,” Taylor said.

This year, the friends added a movie-themed tree skirt, a small replica of the BB gun and a red sign that reads, “You’ll shoot your eye out.”

Both men said they are huge fans of the movie and have seen it dozens of times over the years. Taylor said he enjoys sharing the movie with his grandchildren and always tells them to pay particular attention to the scene where Ralphie is punished with a bar of soap in the mouth for saying a curse word.

Taylor said he is considering purchasing a DVD player to play “A Christmas Story” on the shop’s television for customers.

“You gotta have a sense of humor,” Taylor said, “or else this is work.”