The Mysterious Unopened Eastland Door

['80sSitcoms]

So, I am an extremely curious/investigative personality type, and I just love combing over the details of sitcom sets and poring over everything there in the background and on furniture, walls, etc.

And above the Eastland kitchen at the top of the steps to the left (if you're standing on the top step, it's the left) is a door which is at the end of the upstairs hallway. But this door is never seen open.

Soooo, what is it? What's behind it?

My best guess is that is most likely a closet. There's not much room at all for any type of space at the top of those steps extending to the left, as that is the same wall where the back door is at the bottom of the steps. Now it's possible it could extend out to be a larger space, but I'm assuming it's just a very small closet; like a "kitchen linens" closet, perhaps.

Or maybe it's where they stashed the Lost Girls for those seasons.

But I sure would have loved to have seen it open at least once!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

So, I am an extremely curious/investigative personality type, and I just love combing over the details of sitcom sits and poring over everything there in the background and on furniture, walls, etc.

I am the same way, in part because it always bugs me how sitcom sets rarely match the exteriors they use.

And above the Eastland kitchen at the top of the steps to the left (if you're standing on the top step, it's the left) is a door which is at the end of the upstairs hallway. But this door is never seen open.

Soooo, what is it? What's behind it?

My best guess is that is most likely a closet. There's not much room at all for any type of space at the top of those steps extending to the left, as that is the same wall where the back door is at the bottom of the steps. Now it's possible it could extend out to be a larger space, but I'm assuming it's just a very small closet; like a "kitchen linens" closet, perhaps.

Or maybe it's where they stashed the Lost Girls for those seasons.

Haha!!! Nick at Nite once had a promo where they indicated the Lost Girls were being kept in the basement, presumably the Dorm basement.

But we do know Sue Anne and Cindy had their own room, presumably in the dorms. They might have even stayed in the room they had in Season One. We never hear about where Molly or Nancy are staying, but I doubt they would stay above the kitchen. That seemed like a special punishment for Jo/Blair/Nat/Tootie.

And as you say, it's likely a closet. The building probably doesn't extend much further back.

Did we ever see where the bathroom is? The one they show in several episodes? Is it possible that was the door to the bathroom?

But I sure would have loved to have seen it open at least once!

Thanks for the screenshot! I hadn't remembered this door at all!

This reminds me a little of the door at the back of Monica's apartment in Friends, which changed over the years: in a very early episode, the window above it is well-lit, indicating that it's an exterior door. But later on in the first season, the door is slightly ajar, and you can now tell it is a closet, and there are a few things in it. In an episode near the end of the series, the door becomes a plot point, as Chandler takes the hinges off, trying to discover what is behind that door. It turns out it is still a closet, albeit it's completely full of Monica's stuff.

One cool thing about that episode is because of the way it is shot, there are several views of the "fourth wall" of Monica and Chandler's apartment: we get a view of the wall where the audience would be.

Now wouldn't it have been cool to have an episode where the area beyond that Eastland door was featured?

One of the cool things about that set is how homey they made everything: the gorgeous little kitchen, the cafeteria and the bedrooms. It really does feel like an area you want to explore.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I am the same way, in part because it always bugs me how sitcom sets rarely match the exteriors they use.

lol, too true!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Nick at Nite once had a promo where they indicated the Lost Girls were being kept in the basement, presumably the Dorm basement.

Yes, I remember that! They showed that clip of Sue Ann lamenting about knowing you were gonna spend the rest of your life in the basement, lol; and they also showed Mrs. Garrett doing her creeped-out "wiggly claws" imitation of Arnold's lobster Claud, but in slow motion, lol.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

And as you say, it's likely a closet. The building probably doesn't extend much further back.

Yeah, I was gonna say again maybe it could be a "kitchen/linens" closet, but that's inconvenient having it at the top of the stairs. After all, we do know that on the first floor, if you go out the "back arch" of the kitchen and turn left, that is where the entrance to the basement is; perhaps a more kitchen/linens-type closet would be located back there instead? It sure would make sense (well, as far as cafeteria linens and such; for upstairs linens that closet up there could be for that, as there is one bedroom and one bathroom).

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Did we ever see where the bathroom is? The one they show in several episodes? Is it possible that was the door to the bathroom?

Actually we only saw the bathroom in one episode, at the beginning of "The Four Musketeers". Since anything is possible it is possible that is the bathroom, but I always pictured the bathroom as being further "downstage" in the hallway, on Mrs. Garrett's side of the hall, past her door between her bedroom door and the audience/camera. And since Blair kept rolling in her sleeping bag into the bathroom repeatedly their first night in the girls' makeshift bedroom, having the bathroom by Mrs. Garrett's room would be a little closer and more realistic for her to continually roll into, lol.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Thanks for the screenshot! I hadn't remembered this door at all!

I love opening up fans' eyes to something "new" like this, and it's very easy to miss! I admit even I often overlook it. Most of the time when they show the hallway characters are already in it, so it's hard to notice (indeed, Mrs. Garrett is actually opening the door to her bedroom in this shot, but I cropped her out to focus on the mystery door, lol).

This shot is from "The New Girl Part 2"; it's also kind of prominently noticeable after the girls have had their first day as cafeteria duty along with classes, and they come upstairs exhausted; the camera fades up on the hallway just as Tootie is leading the parade of the girls entering from the stairs.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

This reminds me a little of the door at the back of Monica's apartment in Friends, which changed over the years: in a very early episode, the window above it is well-lit, indicating that it's an exterior door. But later on in the first season, the door is slightly ajar, and you can now tell it is a closet, and there are a few things in it. In an episode near the end of the series, the door becomes a plot point, as Chandler takes the hinges off, trying to discover what is behind that door. It turns out it is still a closet, albeit it's completely full of Monica's stuff.

Yes! I remember that episode where it was driving J&C crazy what was behind that door, and the big joke at the end that it was all of OCD neat-freak Monica's miscellaneous stuff all junked up together in there, lol. I hadn't noticed the setting making it look like an exterior door in season though, or it being ajar early on, so I'll have to watch for those.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

One cool thing about that episode is because of the way it is shot, there are several views of the "fourth wall" of Monica and Chandler's apartment: we get a view of the wall where the audience would be.

I love those! There's a fourth wall view of Mama's living room in an episode of Mama's Family as well. There's also a great shot in Mr. Belvedere of looking through the fourth wall window into the Owens's living room, as they're celebrating Christmas. Also, for the back porch scenes on Mr. B, they had a stock "fourth wall" they would put up inside the house in front of where the audience was every time they had a back porch scene, so the inside views would make sense, lol.

I know I've seen a couple of other rare "fourth walls" on sitcoms, I'd just have to sit and think about it or do some research.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Now wouldn't it have been cool to have an episode where the area beyond that Eastland door was featured?

Very cool!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

One of the cool things about that set is how homey they made everything: the gorgeous little kitchen, the cafeteria and the bedrooms. It really does feel like an area you want to explore.

Oh, I know...I love that whole building. The cozy architecture (particularly the archways and windows), the warm inviting "homey" shade of pale yellow used for the kitchen and cafeteria, the comforting browns of Mrs. Garrett's room...it's all so wonderful

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Yes, I remember that! They showed that clip of Sue Ann lamenting about knowing you were gonna spend the rest of your life in the basement, lol; and they also showed Mrs. Garrett doing her creeped-out "wiggly claws" imitation of Arnold's lobster Claud, but in slow motion, lol.

I definitely remember a slow-mo scene, but the other details have left my brain. I wish I could find it online!

Yeah, I was gonna say again maybe it could be a "kitchen/linens" closet, but that's inconvenient having it at the top of the stairs. After all, we do know that on the first floor, if you go out the "back arch" of the kitchen and turn left, that is where the entrance to the basement is; perhaps a more kitchen/linens-type closet would be located back there instead? It sure would make sense (well, as far as cafeteria linens and such; for upstairs linens that closet up there could be for that, as there is one bedroom and one bathroom).

As you say, an upstairs linen closet for the two bedrooms and bathroom up there would make sense.

Actually we only saw the bathroom in one episode, at the beginning of "The Four Musketeers". Since anything is possible it is possible that is the bathroom, but I always pictured the bathroom as being further "downstage" in the hallway, on Mrs. Garrett's side of the hall, past her door between her bedroom door and the audience/camera. And since Blair kept rolling in her sleeping bag into the bathroom repeatedly their first night in the girls' makeshift bedroom, having the bathroom by Mrs. Garrett's room would be a little closer and more realistic for her to continually roll into, lol.

Oh, good point! I'd forgotten about the "rolling into the bathroom" line. Yes, it would make sense to have the bathroom across the hall. That would mean, however, that the "fourth wall" of the bathroom faces Mrs. G's room, since the door is shown on the right. Not really a problem, but it's unusual for the "fourth wall" to be facing the rest of the set.

Yes! I remember that episode where it was driving J&C crazy what was behind that door, and the big joke at the end that it was all of OCD neat-freak Monica's miscellaneous stuff all junked up together in there, lol. I hadn't noticed the setting making it look like an exterior door in season though, or it being ajar early on, so I'll have to watch for those.

I recently re-watched the first season Of Friends, which is on Netflix. The scene with the window being brightly lit is (I'm pretty sure) in the first five episodes. The scene with the door ajar is episode 1-10, "The One With the Monkey".

I love those! There's a fourth wall view of Mama's living room in an episode of Mama's Family as well. There's also a great shot in Mr. Belvedere of looking through the fourth wall window into the Owens's living room, as they're celebrating Christmas. Also, for the back porch scenes on Mr. B, they had a stock "fourth wall" they would put up inside the house in front of where the audience was every time they had a back porch scene, so the inside views would make sense, lol.

It's been so long since I've seen Mr. Belvedere; I just watched the episode where George almost has an affair, but prior to that, it was likely ten years since I've seen the show. I always appreciate getting views of "fourth walls". Roseanne was also really good about showing the fourth wall of the kitchen.

Oh, I know...I love that whole building. The cozy architecture (particularly the archways and windows), the warm inviting "homey" shade of pale yellow used for the kitchen and cafeteria, the comforting browns of Mrs. Garrett's room...it's all so wonderful

I definitely feel the same way!

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I definitely remember a slow-mo scene, but the other details have left my brain. I wish I could find it online!

Now that you mention it, that's all I really remember; slow-mo "wiggly-fingered" Mrs. Garrett, and Sue Ann's upset basement line. And I can still hear the narrator's voice, but not any direct quotes, lol.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

As you say, an upstairs linen closet for the two bedrooms and bathroom up there would make sense.

Yeah, and even before that, it would have made a good linen closet for just the one bedroom up there pre-11/19/1980, and the bathroom (assuming the previous dietitian lived up there before then).

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

That would mean, however, that the "fourth wall" of the bathroom faces Mrs. G's room, since the door is shown on the right. Not really a problem, but it's unusual for the "fourth wall" to be facing the rest of the set.

Yes, that is exactly how I picture it. And I think with a bathroom, generally you would have the "fourth wall" facing part of the set, since bathrooms are usually in hallways between rooms. But in this case I think it makes sense for the bathroom to be beside Mrs. Garrett's room, because the bathroom windows are in the back left corner. If the bathroom were "behind" the girls' room---on their side of the hallway---there couldn't be any windows there, unless the bathroom extended out past the girls' room; which, as we know, anything is possible, but, I think in this case it makes more sense for the bathroom to be by Mrs. Garrett's room.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Now that you mention it, that's all I really remember; slow-mo "wiggly-fingered" Mrs. Garrett, and Sue Ann's upset basement line. And I can still hear the narrator's voice, but not any direct quotes, lol.

I think it was something about the girls being locked in the basement (or hinting that), and then a sinister implication that Mrs. Garrett had done it, and at the end something like, "You can watch our Facts of Life Halloween marathon at [time]... but no Molly Ringwald." However, I may be confusing a different promo with that one.

That Nick at Nite guy had a very distinctive voice, and, like you, I can still hear his voice in my head, but the details have faded.

I think with a bathroom, generally you would have the "fourth wall" facing part of the set, since bathrooms are usually in hallways between rooms. But in this case I think it makes sense for the bathroom to be beside Mrs. Garrett's room, because the bathroom windows are in the back left corner. If the bathroom were "behind" the girls' room---on their side of the hallway---there couldn't be any windows there, unless the bathroom extended out past the girls' room; which, as we know, anything is possible, but, I think in this case it makes more sense for the bathroom to be by Mrs. Garrett's room.

I agree. And since there are windows, either the bathroom has to be flipped so that the fourth wall is against Mrs. G's room, or the hallway turns at the very end, and the fourth wall is the same wall as the wall of the hallway on the right. Since the bathroom appears to be long and narrow, in terms of space, it makes more sense for the fourth wall to be up against Mrs. Garrett's room.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I think it was something about the girls being locked in the basement (or hinting that), and then a sinister implication that Mrs. Garrett had done it

Right, yeah, I guess I wasn't clear on that; I just assumed you and I both remembered the basic premise, that the Lost Girls after season 1 were locked in the basement---by the notorious Mrs. G! lol

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

and at the end something like, "You can watch our Facts of Life Halloween marathon at [time]... but no Molly Ringwald." However, I may be confusing a different promo with that one.

I think you may be, because I don't remember that being a Halloween tie-in or a Molly mention, just a general FOL promo that was "sinister", lol.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I agree. And since there are windows, either the bathroom has to be flipped so that the fourth wall is against Mrs. G's room, or the hallway turns at the very end, and the fourth wall is the same wall as the wall of the hallway on the right. Since the bathroom appears to be long and narrow, in terms of space, it makes more sense for the fourth wall to be up against Mrs. Garrett's room.

Yeah that's how I picture it, the 4th wall up against the "downstage" fourth wall of Mrs. G's room.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

I think you may be, because I don't remember that being a Halloween tie-in or a Molly mention, just a general FOL promo that was "sinister", lol.

It is definitely possible that I have confused two different Nick at Nite promos.

There definitely was a Halloween marathon of FOL episodes, involving the Blair Tootie Project. Whether this was the same as the other promo, I can't say.

Yeah that's how I picture it, the 4th wall up against the "downstage" fourth wall of Mrs. G's room.

I can definitely see that; it seems like the best solution, given what we know. However, others here may want to weigh in. the two of us don't have all the answers.

['80sSitcoms]

Oh no! I found another mysterious unopened Eastland door! Dang it!

And this one's in season 1!

Where does the door in the hallway leading from the common room go?? You might say "the basement", which would be the natural assumption, but it's not! Because if you will notice from the "Flash Flood" screen cap (the 2nd photo---the 1st is from "Sex Education a.k.a. The Facts of Love"), our beloved Cindy turns the corner when she has "come up" from the basement. So obviously, the visible door is not the basement door.

Perhaps it is a coat closet? Or some sort of utility room?

We can rationalize it however we like, lol.

And why is the globe on the clock?? Now I wonder if it's always there in season 1! lol...I'm also hoping that's the very same globe Nancy threatens to "feed" Tootie in "Gossip"!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Oh no! I found another mysterious unopened Eastland door! Dang it!

And this one's in season 1!

Where does the door in the hallway leading from the common room go?? You might say "the basement", which would be the natural assumption, but it's not! Because if you will notice from the "Flash Flood" screen cap (the 2nd photo---the 1st is from "Sex Education a.k.a. The Facts of Love"), our beloved Cindy turns the corner when she has "come up" from the basement. So obviously, the visible door is not the basement door.

Perhaps it is a coat closet? Or some sort of utility room?

I had assumed it was the basement door, but you're right. However, it could still be the basement door, if Cindy came from the kitchen using another entrance, such as a cellar door outside the kitchen entrance.

I've gotta say, looking at that door, it looks very well-worn, as if the set people spent quite a bit of time making that door faded and well-used. It's kind of surprising that they didn't use it for that scene.

Then again, maybe that's the other side of the door in the hallway above the Season Two cafeteria!

And why is the globe on the clock?? Now I wonder if it's always there in season 1! lol...I'm also hoping that's the very same globe Nancy threatens to "feed" Tootie in "Gossip"!

Nice find! Wonder what it's doing up there, since I think only Mr. Bradley could have reached it. It'd be funny if it were the same globe!

[RetroGuy2000]

Oh, one other thing I forgot to mention: since you like seeing fourth walls, maybe you will get a kick out of this. If you watch The Facts of Life Reunion, from 2001, you will briefly see the fourth wall of the cafeteria, as well as different views of the lounge. Of course, that's a replica set, not the original, but it's still cool to see the fourth wall of the cafeteria nonetheless.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I had assumed it was the basement door, but you're right. However, it could still be the basement door, if Cindy came from the basement using another entrance, such as a cellar door outside the kitchen entrance.

I did think about that too, but then I thought "who has two basement doors??", lol. But yes there could always be an outside cellar-type door, but we get the feeling Cindy has remained indoors, indicating just how flooded the basement was (apparently, very!). Also, I don't think at a private school for girls which is down the road from an all-boys school, they would have cellar doors outside leading into the dorms. Too much "easy access"

I don't know why they didn't just have Cindy come from the unopened door which we're discussing, entering while Mrs. Garrett has her back turned, and then Mrs. Garrett turning around to find Cindy entering the common room; that would have made sense and told us what the door was.

Since "Flash Flood" won't properly let me think of this as the basement door, I will think of it as a large coat closet for the dorm; after all, it's a dwelling for at least 8 people at any given time.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Then again, maybe that's the other side of the door in the hallway above the Season Two cafeteria!

Hahahahaha! What a brilliant whimsical way to think of that! Perfect for "Facts of Life" Clue™! "Secret passage to cafeteria kitchen" - "Secret passage to common room"

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Nice find! Wonder what it's doing up there, since I think only Mr. Bradley could have reached it. It'd be funny if it were the same globe!

Yeah, unless possibly Nancy (the tallest) could have set it there from the stairs above? lol...I'll bet it is indeed the same globe---I hope it is!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Oh, one other thing I forgot to mention: since you like seeing fourth walls, maybe you will get a kick out of this. If you watch The Facts of Life Reunion, from 2001, you will briefly see the fourth wall of the cafeteria, as well as different views of the lounge. Of course, that's a replica set, not the original, but it's still cool to see the fourth wall of the cafeteria nonetheless.

Ah, interesting; yeah, I'd be hard-pressed to remember that as I only saw it once, and 17 years ago at that! lol...that's neat that they did that, though.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

I did think about that too, but then I thought "who has two basement doors??", lol. But yes there could always be an outside cellar-type door, but we get the feeling Cindy has remained indoors, indicating just how flooded the basement was (apparently, very!). Also, I don't think at a private school for girls which is down the road from an all-boys school, they would have cellar doors outside leading into the dorms. Too much "easy access"

Isn't that why they have a housemother on the main level in each dorm?

I don't know why they didn't just have Cindy come from the unopened door which we're discussing, entering while Mrs. Garrett has her back turned, and then Mrs. Garrett turning around to find Cindy entering the common room; that would have made sense and told us what the door was.

I agree, but my in-universe theory is that someone saw the basement flooded, locked it for safety, and then Cindy used the cellar door to get her spikes, which is why she had to come up the back way.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Isn't that why they have a housemother on the main level in each dorm?

But that wouldn't help if there were outside cellar doors, lol.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I agree, but my in-universe theory is that someone saw the basement flooded, locked it for safety, and then Cindy used the cellar door to get her spikes, which is why she had to come up the back way.

Really? Interesting...I believe no one saw the basement before Cindy; she was the first one to give it any thought. Mrs. Garrett gives the first warning of "No one go near that basement!" indicating it is a looming threat right there in the dorm, and the basement is accessible to anyone (oh, the suspense! lol). My personal theory is the only ones who went outside were Blair, Tootie, and Nancy. Cindy went down to the basement in the basement door around the corner near the kitchen and got drenched in the high water down there (it makes the idea of the flood that much more dramatic, lol---after all, it did take out a whole bridge).

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Really? Interesting...I believe no one saw the basement before Cindy; she was the first one to give it any thought. Mrs. Garrett gives the first warning of "No one go near that basement!" indicating it is a looming threat right there in the dorm, and the basement is accessible to anyone (oh, the suspense! lol). My personal theory is the only ones who went outside were Blair, Tootie, and Nancy. Cindy went down to the basement in the basement door around the corner near the kitchen and got drenched in the high water down there (it makes the idea of the flood that much more dramatic, lol---after all, it did take out a whole bridge).

But even Cindy's hair is wet, her pigtails drenched. She would have had to be swimming down there, not just wading. It makes more sense to me that he hair was soaked from the rain.