Some people just don't get our hobby

[Jeffhs]

Originally posted by Eric C
Firstly, Rob, I believe you are in Canada too. I got my copy of the box set (2 DVD's, both 2 sided) at Sam the Record Man, but any decent record store/dvd outlet should carry it. I had read in the Toronto Star last week-end about it being released this past week. The guy at the sales desk had never heard of it, and was looking in the movie section before someone set him straight! What do you expect from a guy about 20? As for the Studebaker sponsorship of the show, I hadn't known that, but am not surprised as I am almost positive the vehicle that Wilbur drives. and is seen in his driveway in some shots, is a Studebaker Lark.
By the way, I also read, for anyone interested, that the first season of Green Acres is now out on DVD.
As for the worst piece of historical continuity in a tv show or movie, my vote would go to the Renault Dauphine (I think)...in the background of one of the chariot race scenes of the 1959 version of Ben Hur!

Eric C
Tweed

Your mention of the Renault Dauphine commercials reminded me of a TV screen shot I saw in an old TV repair book years ago. The picture was of a football field; superimposed on it were the words, in bright white and I swear three inches high (you couldn't miss them), "FUN: Renault Dauphine." I think the football game this picture came from must have been sponsored by Renault.

[andy]

I'm too young to have any nostalgia for the TVs, or the shows of the 50's and 60's, but I still get a kick out of making these old sets work properly again. I think for me it's a fascination with seeing some of the most complex consumer electronics available at the time working again. I'm interested in a lot of old high tech items like TVs, audio equipment, test equipment and early electronic calculators. I even have a Sony CDP-101 that I'm trying to resurrect. I'm particularly interested in tube color sets because they really are about the most complex consumer device to use tubes. One key factor in my interest is that it must still be capable of performing a useful function. I like things I can actually use if I want to. I guess this is why I'm much less interested in things like mechanical TV and radios (the radio isn't even worth turning on in my area).

I also enjoy the unusual. Anyone can go out and buy a new TV from best buy, but it's not that often you see a 40 year old set working like it did when it was new. As an EE I like to experience first hand the history of where we've come from and how far in only a few decades.

[Rob]

Eric C,

Yes I'm near Shelburne. Thanx for that info. No way I'm going to drive to downtown Toronto to go to Sam's for this but we have Future Shops and Block Busters close by.

I had a real fascination with the original Outer Limits series which aired when I was about 9 years old. I remember watching them whenever I could on my parent's 17" 1954 Majestic TV. Some of them were scarry. I've now got all four box sets on Laserdisc but I remember seeing a few episodes when first aired in '63 and '64 that weren't put on the laser set. Does anyone know if they are putting the Limits on DVD and if they have added more classis episodes? There was one called "Moonstone" I believe that didn't make it to laser, also one about a nuclear reactor gone berzerk, and one about an alien visitor named Mr. Zeno posing as a private tutor that 'd love to see again. Gosh I can think of more too!

[Eric H]

Rob,
yes, seasons 1&2 are available in DVD box sets.

Check amazon.com or half.com for a good deal on them.

Eric H

Originally posted by Rob
Eric C,

Does anyone know if they are putting the Limits on DVD and if they have added more classis episodes?

[Sandy G]

Oh man !! "Outer Limits"!!! NOW you're talkin' !! "There is nothing wrong w/your Television Set....." Never saw it much when it originally aired-it came on too late for a 7-year-old, we couldn't really get the station-this was WAY B4 cable- but man, oh man, do I remember the "bears"..."Zanti Misfits", the "Luminoids"...STILL scares the P*$$ outta me. <grin> "Lost In Space"...Was Dr Smith a pompous ass or what ?!? Always wanted Don or Dr Robinson to let loose & JUST ONCE keelhaul the sumbitch. Really hurt last year when Jonathan Harris passed on. Would liked to have known what he was really like. Any of you guys remember "The Time Tunnel"? Think it was an Irwin Allen production, too.-Sandy G.

Time Tunnel was an Irwin Allen production.
Another old series that I would love them to bring out on DVD (it was before my time, and I have only seen a few episodes on late night tv), is "December Bride" with Spring Byington. Another, if any taped episodes exist (I only saw a few episodes a few years ago on PBS down here), is "The Goldbergs" from the very early fifties.
I'd bet that if any station were gutsy enough to get the rights to these types of shows and put them on in Prime Time, they would smoke most of the new crud in terms of viewership.

Eric
Tweed, ON

[Sandy G]

Eric- Seems like I remember that one of the actors in "The Goldbergs" ran afoul of the McCarthy witchunts in the early Fifties, had his career ruined, & maybe shot himself. It was probably way too good for TV nowadays-as was a lot of what was on back then-"Playhouse 90", "Texaco Star Theater", etc, etc. That's another thing-even the commercials were better back then. At least they weren't hawking some drug that they won't even tell you what it's for, & then have 2 minutes telling why you shouldn't take it... Arrrrgh !! -Sandy G.

Sandy, the actor you are thinking of was Phillip Loeb, who played the male lead in the show. He was dropped from the show, and the role was recast (a couple of times, from what I've read.) He did end up committing suicide in 1955, after being unable to get any work because of the McCarthy witch hunts.
The only episodes of the "Goldbergs" I have ever seen were from the last season, where the male lead was played by Robert Parker (I think). It was run on our local PBS outlet (out of Watertown, NY) on Saturday nights for a few months back in the late '90's.

The best site in the universe for settling bar bets concerning movies--tv shows--and the stars is http://www.imdb.com

There you can research your ass off. They have short bios on many of the stars and you can also check who else they worked with. Make sure you take a potty break first as you'll be there for quite awhile!

Anthony

Anthony, I am very familiar with that site. I have spent hours at a time on it. Mind you, I have been referred to many times as a "triviot"

Eric
Tweed, ON

[Sandy G]

Phillip Loeb- Yep, that was the guy. Remembered it when you said his name. What a shame. Anthony- Dammittall, why did you tell me about that site ?!? Now I'll get less work done than usual !!! Not that I ever labored mightily anyway...HehHehHeh....-Sandy G.

Originally Posted by andy

I'm too young to have any nostalgia for the TVs, or the shows of the 50's and 60's, but I still get a kick out of making these old sets work properly again..

man,tell me about it...i'm 22 and half the stuff i own is from the 40s/50s!even my family members who LIVED threw that time think i'm crazy!

You wanna make a oldster nuts? Start singing "Chickery Chick, cha-lot cha-lot....."

Anthony

[RetroHacker]

I've found that it's pointless to get other people to understand my or my hobby. Hell, sometimes I don't even understand myself. But the one thing I get the most from people when I tell them about/show them my collection is "What do you do with them?". Now, my main hobby has been collecting obsolete computers. Nobody understands _why_ I enjoy working on outdated hardware, and it's a hard concept for people to grasp that I actually collect it. Now, with the televisions, I get the same thing. I'll tell one of my friends about my latest find, and they'll say - "But what are you going to do with it?". "Fix it up." I'll say. "But then what are you going to do with it when you fix it?" - "Watch it. That's what most people do with televisions." "Yeah, but it's old..."

People will never understand why... but at least they'll remember that you're the crazy one that likes this old junk, and will refer people to you that are getting rid of old hardware. Now if I could only find someone with a DEC Vax in the basement. And a color roundie. That they don't want. Heh - fat chance.

-Ian

[Kamakiri]

I'll find you a color roundie if you want to drive to Buffalo to get it

They seem to be somewhat plentiful around here......at least I've found the proper methods for looking