The Season 1 Props/Sets/Decor Discussion Thread

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

One more season 1 "set"; as we can see, the front door/porch area stayed pretty much the same from "The Girls' School" onward (though I think in season 1 it was only seen in "The Facts of Love a.k.a. Sex Education"). You can however see that there was more ivy/vegetation under the window in TGS than there ended up being in season 1. I don't think we can tell if the porch light was there in TGS or not, as the space for it is just to the side of the view. And the exterior siding looks gray and cream in TGS, but it looks blue in season 1 when lit at night.

But, one of the girls has a bike they've "parked" at the front door. I'm hoping it's Cindy's.

'80s, I have so enjoyed your analyses! It's been so fun to read your thoughts, see the screen shots of the props and sets, etc. Thanks so much for doing these! You always offer interesting theories.

We do actually see this part of the set, when looking through the door in "Molly's Holiday" and a few other episodes. It might even be worthwhile to see if different episodes reveal other items on the porch.

I definitely think that's Cindy's bike, although there's a small chance it's Molly's or Natalie's (Tootie wouldn't ride a bike on roller skates).

The wall in the back shows that there are other rooms on that level of the dorm. When looking through the common room, one can see the hallway on the left, and beyond that corner, what I assumed was the kitchen behind the closet area... but what would this room then be? Did anybody ever mention a powder room? I ask because the window is high up, indicating the possible need for some privacy.

Of course, having that room jut out like that destroys the illusion of this being the building shown in the opening credits, as that building doesn't have anything like that white wall.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

'80s, I have so enjoyed your analyses! It's been so fun to read your thoughts, see the screen shots of the props and sets, etc. Thanks so much for doing these! You always offer interesting theories.

It's amazing the things you can see/theorize when you have screenshots!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

We do actually see this part of the set, when looking through the door in "Molly's Holiday" and a few other episodes. It might even be worthwhile to see if different episodes reveal other items on the porch.

True, I just meant seeing it as its "own set", with staged actors on it. I do like though how we get peeks of it through the door.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

The wall in the back shows that there are other rooms on that level of the dorm. When looking through the common room, one can see the hallway on the left, and beyond that corner, what I assumed was the kitchen behind the closet area... but what would this room then be? Did anybody ever mention a powder room? I ask because the window is high up, indicating the possible need for some privacy.

Because of that high-up window, I just kind of picture the hallway turning to the left ending in a dead end after several feet, maybe with some type of desk or something there. Not exciting, I know, lol, but I don't think we ever see any characters come from around that corner, although they might. You know how in some places there will just be an up-high window that doesn't really have any rhyme or reason? Maybe this is one of those windows, lol. Or it could even be like a maintenance staircase or something, or leading to an attic (as a fan you there are many imaginative possibilities, lol).

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Of course, having that room jut out like that destroys the illusion of this being the building shown in the opening credits, as that building doesn't have anything like that white wall.

The building in the establishing shot bridging the Drummonds' penthouse with Eastlake? I know, it's funny they didn't think about that, lol.

I like how we can see across the lawn when they open the door :-) And our Cindy loves leaving "her" bike by that front door

You will also notice that shorter beige, brick-trimmed "wall" that's outside the front door, is the same that's outside the back door!

(the two front door screenshots below, from earlier in this thread)

Actually, yeah, if you look at the Mr. Bradley pic, it does look like turning left down the hall would just dead-end after quickly after all.

Also, a few "Running" shots here:

• "Buddies Forever"
• "Cindy, Cindy, Cindy, Cindy, Cindy, Cindy, Cindy, Cindy, Cindy,"
• "Three Champs"

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[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Because of that high-up window, I just kind of picture the hallway turning to the left ending in a dead end after several feet, maybe with some type of desk or something there. Not exciting, I know, lol, but I don't think we ever see any characters come from around that corner, although they might. You know how in some places there will just be an up-high window that doesn't really have any rhyme or reason? Maybe this is one of those windows, lol. Or it could even be like a maintenance staircase or something, or leading to an attic (as a fan you there are many imaginative possibilities, lol).

All good theories! The screenshot with Mr. Bradley is good, here, as it at least shows us the rug and the hallway coming to an end.

[quote]
The building in the establishing shot bridging the Drummonds' penthouse with Eastlake? I know, it's funny they didn't think about that, lol.[/quote[

Well, not just the Eastlake dorm, but also the Opening Credits dorm seen from seasons 1 through 4, and the first two episodes of season 5.

I like how we can see across the lawn when they open the door :-) And our Cindy loves leaving "her" bike by that front door

You will also notice that shorter beige, brick-trimmed "wall" that's outside the front door, is the same that's outside the back door!

Nice shot of the lawn and trees! And another shot of Cindy's bike!

Actually, yeah, if you look at the Mr. Bradley pic, it does look like turning left down the hall would just dead-end after quickly after all.

Unless there's a door on the left.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Well, not just the Eastlake dorm, but also the Opening Credits dorm seen from seasons 1 through 4, and the first two episodes of season 5.

I'm not following you here, because they don't show season 1's dorm exterior in opening credits.

Oh wait, do you mean that main exterior shot? I never thought of that as a dorm, I always pictured it as like an administration building. Is the real life building a dorm?

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Unless there's a door on the left.

Seeing that Bradley shot though, I don't think there would be a door unless it were a closet, since turning left down the hall ends after a few/several feet.

And now, a look at Cindy and Sue Ann's room (where the sombrero, Sue Ann's rural hats, the paper flowers, and the yellow penannts got their start!)

And the only ever view of an upstairs hall filmed actually in the hall! lol

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[RetroGuy2000]

Nice screenshots!

It seems clear, now, from the screenshots, that Cindy and Sue Ann's room is the same as the other dorm room, but the door is on the other side, and the door to (what I assume is the bathroom) is on the side of the wall facing the viewers, rather than in the corner. What great set people they must have had! I never would have suspected this was the same room.

The yellow pennant, the sombrero, and the flowers now all feel like old, familiar friends. Hey! Notice there are two yellow pennants in that room?!

The shot of the hallway is interesting (I remember seeing it during episode viewings). I wonder where that arched door goes?

And there are two desks in that room, strongly indicating that two girls did indeed live in that room. The straw hats confirm what I've long believed.

Cindy seems to be a fan of cats, too, based on the poster above her bed... unless that's Sue Ann's bed.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

I'm not following you here, because they don't show season 1's dorm exterior in opening credits.

Oh wait, do you mean that main exterior shot? I never thought of that as a dorm, I always pictured it as like an administration building. Is the real life building a dorm?

Yes, Harwood Court is a dorm. Be sure to check out the description, parts of which certainly made me laugh (emphasis mine):

"Harwood Court is the oldest residence hall on South Campus. Built in 1921, it was most recently renovated in 2010 to provide modern facilities, upgrade the plumbing and electrical systems, improve sustainability, and to preserve the original charm of the building. Harwood is arranged around a central courtyard and houses 170 students. The residence hall has a large main lounge area with its own kitchen, television room and grand piano. Laundry facilities are in the basement. Both single and double rooms are available and primarily first-year students and sophomores live there.
Room draw information: Harwood has approximately 114 singles, 23 one-room doubles, plus three four-person apartments. There are outside entrance basement rooms and four tower suites."

170 students could be housed in that dorm... why were there only seven girls there?!

['80sSitcoms]

^---Oh, so that really is a dorm! Haha! Nice emphasis too, lol...well, in my fan universe, it's Eastland's administration building (I know it's a dorm in reality, but I love picturing it in Eastland's world as a large administration building, lol)

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Nice screenshots!

It seems clear, now, from the screenshots, that Cindy and Sue Ann's room is the same as the other dorm room, but the door is on the other side

Ooo, good eye! I believe you're right!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

and the door to (what I assume is the bathroom) is on the side of the wall facing the viewers, rather than in the corner.

The one by Cindy's bed? Yeah I would assume that's the bathroom, too. And probably the door near the bedroom's door would be a closet.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

What great set people they must have had! I never would have suspected this was the same room.

Right?? And without your investigation I never would have suspected the gym and cafeteria was the same room with a split personality as well!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

The yellow pennant, the sombrero, and the flowers now all feel like old, familiar friends. Hey! Notice there are two yellow pennants in that room?!

I actually did!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

The shot of the hallway is interesting (I remember seeing it during episode viewings). I wonder where that arched door goes?

Right?? I noticed the arch here too. It's quite intriguing! Perhaps it's like a linen closet at the end of the hall. Who knows? It can be anything! lol

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

And there are two desks in that room, strongly indicating that two girls did indeed live in that room. The straw hats confirm what I've long believed.

Oh wow, there are! So the girls would be facing each other when sitting at their desks---you have quite the roving eye this morning!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Cindy seems to be a fan of cats, too, based on the poster above her bed... unless that's Sue Ann's bed.

And now for a look at Mr. Bradley's office.

And you will notice Retro, because I noticed so I'm sure you would being as you are the one who cracked the gym/cafeteria case wide open , that a certain pair of windows behind Mr. Bradley looks very familiar!

However, I believe the trophy is different; at first I wonder if he "stole" one from Cindy's room, but I just looked and Cindy's trophies are all different.

And this scene contains the oddest/worst edit in the show's history!

Check it out, Molly asks for the phone book; Bradley gives it to her, asking why, she says so she can hock her typewriter, and immediately after Molly turns to leave, it cuts to Bradley talking to Miss Mahoney---in the same doorway! (you'll note the bookcase-by-door's lamp behind him in the lower left) This moment was always so jarring, and no wonder! Who staged him there for that line? Who edited this scene??

['80sSitcoms]

And stepping back to the front door a moment, it looks as though there's no trace of the outdoor wall light yet, and you can see how the path looks.

Also, there's a 3rd yellow pennant!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

^---Oh, so that really is a dorm! Haha! Nice emphasis too, lol...well, in my fan universe, it's Eastland's administration building (I know it's a dorm in reality, but I love picturing it in Eastland's world as a large administration building, lol)

Well, if you've grown up believing it was an admin building, who am I to shake your long-standing beliefs?

I suspect many people believe it's the cafeteria building, because they started watching the show in seasons 2/3/4. But this shot was used since season 1, and it's of a real dorm, so I believe it's the exterior of the dorm.

The one by Cindy's bed? Yeah I would assume that's the bathroom, too. And probably the door near the bedroom's door would be a closet.

Yes, bathroom and closet.

Right?? I noticed the arch here too. It's quite intriguing! Perhaps it's like a linen closet at the end of the hall. Who knows? It can be anything! lol

It's the secret passage to the gym!

Oh wow, there are! So the girls would be facing each other when sitting at their desks---you have quite the roving eye this morning!

Yeah, imagine those two girls facing each other while doing their studies in "Running"!

And now for a look at Mr. Bradley's office.

And you will notice Retro, because I noticed so I'm sure you would being as you are the one who cracked the gym/cafeteria case wide open , that a certain pair of windows behind Mr. Bradley looks very familiar!

Nice catch! Wow, they really re-used sets!

However, I believe the trophy is different; at first I wonder if he "stole" one from Cindy's room, but I just looked and Cindy's trophies are all different.

Yes, I looked for that, too! Glad to say they're different.

BUT: shouldn't he have had Sue Ann's trophy in his office?

And this scene contains the oddest/worst edit in the show's history!

Check it out, Molly asks for the phone book; Bradley gives it to her, asking why, she says so she can hock her typewriter, and immediately after Molly turns to leave, it cuts to Bradley talking to Miss Mahoney---in the same doorway! (you'll note the bookcase-by-door's lamp behind him in the lower left) This moment was always so jarring, and no wonder! Who staged him there for that line? Who edited this scene??

GREAT catch!

I actually think the worst edit in the show's history is in Season Three, when Sue Ann and Cindy are talking with Jo about her erroneous story in the school paper, and they suddenly disappear, mid-scene. And they're never seen again... DUN DUN DUN! (Well, except in Season Eight.)

Clearly, the part where they get up and leave was cut out, leading to a continuity issue, and it's also sad that we don't even get to see their farewell.

But yes, I agree Mr. Bradley's move is very odd; you can tell he's on the other side of the door because you can even see the weird lamp in the background.

I suspect the editors spliced in a scene from the second taping into the first (or vice versa), but somehow the blocking for that taping is different. Not sure why they would do that; seems like a bad directorial decision.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Well, if you've grown up believing it was an admin building, who am I to shake your long-standing beliefs?

You're right, that's what I grew up believing for decades now! I sort of thought of it as the cafeteria's exterior when I was little probably, but the entrance is different from how we are led to believe with the interior of the cafeteria and how that entrance would be, so I amended my rationalizing to thinking it was like the main administration building, lol. But it someone wants to picture it as a dorm, have at it, because in reality it is a dorm, lol.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

It's the secret passage to the gym!

Oo! Oo! Or a secret passage to the door above season 2/3/4 kitchen!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Yeah, imagine those two girls facing each other while doing their studies in "Running"!

Haha! Yup..."Every morning those girls are up at 6 a.m.! At night they fall asleep doing their homework!" (and now we know where!)

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Nice catch! Wow, they really re-used sets!

And I never would have thought it before this thread! lol

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

BUT: shouldn't he have had Sue Ann's trophy in his office?

Haha, yup, if they'd had it as a prop back then, it would've been a nice addition.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

GREAT catch!

I actually think the worst edit in the show's history is in Season Three, when Sue Ann and Cindy are talking with Jo about her erroneous story in the school paper, and they suddenly disappear, mid-scene.

Funny, that never stood out to me; I'll have to watch it for it. But this one is always so awkward to see! Bradley's facing his door watching Molly leave, than at the same time he's in front of said door, his back to it, facing inside his office??

Definitely the worst edit in season 1 at least, lol.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Clearly, the part where they get up and leave was cut out, leading to a continuity issue, and it's also sad that we don't even get to see their farewell.

I suspect the editors spliced in a scene from the second taping into the first (or vice versa), but somehow the blocking for that taping is different. Not sure why they would do that; seems like a bad directorial decision.

Makes perfect sense about the tapings/blockings; but odd that no one thought about that ahead of time or realized/caught it, lol.

And now...Mrs. Garrett's room! The housemother's den! A look at its progression in the early days...

First, here are some looks at it from spring 1979, in "The Girls' School" on DS---note the tall plant stand in front of the windows, and the chandelier hanging down in this first dressing of the set; and look, Mrs. Garrett's Swiss windows even have a left side window, something I never noticed! It's clearly seen in "The Return of Mr. Garrett", but not sure if it's still there in the spring 1980 shows. (I love Swiss windows!)

And we may have thought that was Mrs. Garrett's bathroom up the windows, but look in the next post---Mr. Bradley and Miss Mahoney come bursting out of it when they hear of gambling! So that's allegedly a door to a hallway and another back door or something if they are not using it as a bathroom for this episode. But how strange!

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['80sSitcoms]

And now Mrs. Garrett's housemother room in summer and autumn 1979...

(the decor on the mantelpiece looks nearly identical to how it was dressed for "The Girls' School")

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['80sSitcoms]

And Mrs. Garrett's housemother room in spring 1980...(two posts for all these photos...lots of angles/views!)

One thing of note, in the 3rd photo we have as far over to the right of Mrs. Garrett's fireplace as we see.

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['80sSitcoms]

Note the clear view of the fireplace in the 3rd photo; it's so strange thinking of Mrs. Garrett having her own fireplace! It's another one of those things I always noticed peripherally, but just never registered enough to ponder.

Also of note:

In the 5th photo you will see what's to the right of Mrs. Garrett's fireplace again

Judging by the mantelpiece, apparently Mrs. Garrett became quite the ocean fanatic by the time of "Overachieving"! lol

And because Mr. Bradley is so tall, in the 6th photo you can see the decor on the top shelf over fireplace mantelpiece, and in the 7th photo you can see the bottom of a frame which shows there is a picture above Mrs. Garrett's door (it's a good thing he's tall so we can catch this stuff, lol).

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['80sSitcoms]

Wait a minute, did they adjust the window area??

Check out the way it looks in "Like Mother, Like Daughter"---2 left-side windows back there. Yet in the very next-produced episode, "The Return of Mr. Garrett", there's only one!

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['80sSitcoms]

And while we're on the subject of Mrs. Garrett's room (I just love the warmth and comfort of her room), I believe LMLD is the only episode where we see a nighttime scene taking place there, hence the chandelier lit (which only exists in these first 4 shows---maybe it was Miss Mahoney's and she ran off with it when they booted her? lol).

Also, I am really digging this 1970s owl picture!

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