Stories of the squares - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

sixfingers · 04-22-2010, 11:57 AM

I don't recall a thread specifically themed about the opening squares so I decided to start one.

The squares are one of the most famous and beloved aspects of the Brady Bunch and probably one of the most parodied.

sixfingers · 04-22-2010, 12:12 PM

This was the the only opening in which the theme song was sung by the Peppermint Trolley Company, subsequent themes were sung by the Brady Bunch kids themselves.

Toward the end Mike looks especially exasperated, apparently Robert Reed was getting irritated by all the looking around, this was partially edited later in the season.

At one point Bobby seems to have a rather terrified look on his face or maybe the lights were bothering him.

sixfingers · 04-22-2010, 12:42 PM

The same video was used for both season two and three.

There is a hand in Cindy's face during the girls' fade in. You will probably need to step through the video one frame at a time to see it.

It is unclear if this is her own hand, or that of a crew member who was adjusting the angle of her face.

sixfingers · 04-22-2010, 12:54 PM

Cindy is now wearing braids, as she does in season five.
Jan is wearing glasses, though she rarely wears them in the actual episodes.

While Mike is looking toward the boys, just before he changes from Greg to Peter he hiccups. This cracks me up every time I see it!

sixfingers · 04-22-2010, 01:16 PM

Cindy is still wearing braids, though her hair style changes later in the season.
Jan is no longer wearing glasses during the squares.

sixfingers · 04-22-2010, 01:21 PM

I'm sure there must be some other interesting lore regarding the squares, so let's hear it.

Bachu · 04-23-2010, 07:48 AM

Well, the closing squares were a few seconds of footage looped back and fourth but from season 2 onwards the Bradys start looking at each other though Alice is still looped.

I have just watched the episode Gooin, Going Steady and I am sure that we do not see the white line flash across the screen to introduce Carol at the start.

McGillicuddy · 04-24-2010, 06:30 PM

I always wondered what would have happened if The Brady Bunch returned for a sixth season, and what they would do with Cindy and her curls. In the middle of season 5, she stopped wearing her hair in braids, so what would they do with the verse, "the youngest one in curls"?

catlover79 · 04-24-2010, 06:32 PM

In the DVD commentary of S1's "A Camping We Will Go", Barry Williams said Robert Reed did NOT like shooting those opening titles. But it sure was a novel opening sequence, especially for 1969.

Dr. Thong · 04-24-2010, 06:43 PM

TV Guide used to have the greatest covers back in the seventies. Here's an example:

catlover79 · 04-24-2010, 06:45 PM

They did indeed - very creative.

Dr. Thong · 04-24-2010, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

They did indeed - very creative.

They were. There were so many back then.

And in those days, TV Guide was about TV. They had well-written articles and reviews and it wasn't a gossipy, all-purpose entertainment magazine.

I miss those days.

catlover79 · 04-24-2010, 07:27 PM

I know, they're all just the same these days.

sixfingers · 06-28-2010, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

They were. There were so many back then.

And in those days, TV Guide was about TV. They had well-written articles and reviews and it wasn't a gossipy, all-purpose entertainment magazine.

I miss those days.

TV Guide isn't TV guide anymore. I really feel sorry for the people who bought long term subscriptions!

04-22-2010, 11:57 AM	#1
sixfingers John Alan Elson Senior Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,491	Stories of the squares I don't recall a thread specifically themed about the opening squares so I decided to start one. The squares are one of the most famous and beloved aspects of the Brady Bunch and probably one of the most parodied.

04-22-2010, 12:12 PM	#2
sixfingers John Alan Elson Senior Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,491	Season one squares This was the the only opening in which the theme song was sung by the Peppermint Trolley Company, subsequent themes were sung by the Brady Bunch kids themselves. Toward the end Mike looks especially exasperated, apparently Robert Reed was getting irritated by all the looking around, this was partially edited later in the season. At one point Bobby seems to have a rather terrified look on his face or maybe the lights were bothering him.

04-22-2010, 12:42 PM	#3
sixfingers John Alan Elson Senior Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,491	Season Two/Three squares The same video was used for both season two and three. There is a hand in Cindy's face during the girls' fade in. You will probably need to step through the video one frame at a time to see it. It is unclear if this is her own hand, or that of a crew member who was adjusting the angle of her face.

04-22-2010, 12:54 PM	#4
sixfingers John Alan Elson Senior Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,491	Season four squares Cindy is now wearing braids, as she does in season five. Jan is wearing glasses, though she rarely wears them in the actual episodes. While Mike is looking toward the boys, just before he changes from Greg to Peter he hiccups. This cracks me up every time I see it!

04-22-2010, 01:16 PM	#5
sixfingers John Alan Elson Senior Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,491	Season five squares Cindy is still wearing braids, though her hair style changes later in the season. Jan is no longer wearing glasses during the squares.

04-22-2010, 01:21 PM	#6
sixfingers John Alan Elson Senior Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,491	I'm sure there must be some other interesting lore regarding the squares, so let's hear it.

04-23-2010, 07:48 AM	#7
Bachu Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 10, 2005 Posts: 809	Well, the closing squares were a few seconds of footage looped back and fourth but from season 2 onwards the Bradys start looking at each other though Alice is still looped. I have just watched the episode Gooin, Going Steady and I am sure that we do not see the white line flash across the screen to introduce Carol at the start.

04-24-2010, 06:30 PM	#8
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	I always wondered what would have happened if The Brady Bunch returned for a sixth season, and what they would do with Cindy and her curls. In the middle of season 5, she stopped wearing her hair in braids, so what would they do with the verse, "the youngest one in curls"?

04-24-2010, 06:32 PM	#9
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	In the DVD commentary of S1's "A Camping We Will Go", Barry Williams said Robert Reed did NOT like shooting those opening titles. But it sure was a novel opening sequence, especially for 1969.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

04-24-2010, 06:43 PM	#10
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	TV Guide used to have the greatest covers back in the seventies. Here's an example:
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

04-24-2010, 06:45 PM	#11
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	They did indeed - very creative.

04-24-2010, 07:27 PM	#13
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I know, they're all just the same these days.