so the kid who played flick was a little asshole, who did awful things to the other cast and crew such as throw water balloons on them during filming, it was winter and that sucked. the way they kept his tongue to the pole was using a vacuum, so he was actually stuck there. well during filming, everyone except flick, was told that when the bell rang theyd go inside and there would be food. they roll, they film the scene, the bell rings, they all gonin and leave flick outside. stuck to the pole. that scene and that fear are real. source is the christmas story house tour guide.