The Intercom Prop - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

clanoftheduck · 06-20-2024, 07:18 AM

Random question, but just curious if any Rhoda superfans remember reading or seeing anything regarding the Intercom unit in the apartment building set? Where it came from, if the original still exists somewhere, things like that.

I like to collect 'found' props from classic sitcoms, and occasionally try to replicate 'scratch built' props too. Found props are everyday items that already exist(ed) and were used in a show. If you can research the maker of these items (or just get lucky with keywords) you can sometimes find them out in the wild. A good example of this is the etc. sign in Rhoda's apartment, these pop up online every now and then despite being an unknown maker.

Scratch built props are specifically created as a set piece and crafted by a prop master from "scratch" and while they might represent a real item, and often are based on a found object, the exact thing never existed in real life.

Anyway.... I'm trying to figure out if the intercom props in "Rhoda" are found props or scratch-built. There are at least 3 wall units in Rhoda's building; the most well known of course in Rhoda's apartment, another in Brenda's, and a third in the laundry room.

It's obvious the units exist because of the Carlton character (why else would a basement laundry need access to the doorman, haha) I have a few reasons I feel these are scratch built rather than a found item, but have still been looking around anyway.

I always like a new project, so building one from scratch is a fun idea, but a version of the real thing (if it was a mass produced item) is always more interesting. Thought I would ask here if anyone knows anything about them, maybe they are real items after all

Thanks!

06-20-2024, 07:18 AM	#1
clanoftheduck Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 05, 2014 Location: Indiana Posts: 25	The Intercom Prop Random question, but just curious if any Rhoda superfans remember reading or seeing anything regarding the Intercom unit in the apartment building set? Where it came from, if the original still exists somewhere, things like that. I like to collect 'found' props from classic sitcoms, and occasionally try to replicate 'scratch built' props too. Found props are everyday items that already exist(ed) and were used in a show. If you can research the maker of these items (or just get lucky with keywords) you can sometimes find them out in the wild. A good example of this is the etc. sign in Rhoda's apartment, these pop up online every now and then despite being an unknown maker. Scratch built props are specifically created as a set piece and crafted by a prop master from "scratch" and while they might represent a real item, and often are based on a found object, the exact thing never existed in real life. Anyway.... I'm trying to figure out if the intercom props in "Rhoda" are found props or scratch-built. There are at least 3 wall units in Rhoda's building; the most well known of course in Rhoda's apartment, another in Brenda's, and a third in the laundry room. It's obvious the units exist because of the Carlton character (why else would a basement laundry need access to the doorman, haha) I have a few reasons I feel these are scratch built rather than a found item, but have still been looking around anyway. I always like a new project, so building one from scratch is a fun idea, but a version of the real thing (if it was a mass produced item) is always more interesting. Thought I would ask here if anyone knows anything about them, maybe they are real items after all Thanks!