Curious detail noted in 'Beaver Takes a Drive' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Cx · 10-22-2021, 06:19 PM

A detail in the car(s) themselves.

For the Cleaver's car, two models of 1961 Plymouth 4-door sedans were used, a hardtop sedan ( no "B pillar", or post ) between the front and rear doors, and a regular 4-door sedan with a pillar/post between the front and rear doors.

When the shots of Beaver and Gilbert inside the car are shown, we can clearly see the "B" pillar, as well as the metal or plastic trim on it.

When the car is in the street ( after having coasted down there, courtesy of Beaver ) and when Wally gets in to drive it back into the driveway, we can see the car is a hardtop sedan, with wooden planks located where the pillars would be on a regular sedan, to act as fake posts/pillars. From the outside you can clearly see they're painted a darker color and they're not at all flush with the exterior lines of the car. From the inside we can clearly see the unpainted planks of wood.

I marveled because on one hand they were making an effort to cosmetically alter a vehicle for the sake of continuity and blur the differences between the cars, but on the other hand it was so crudely done it was laughable. The shots were long enough that even without the ability to pause, a viewer could easily see the difference.

Another thing I noticed was when Beaver was getting in the driver's seat and gripping the steering wheel, it wobbled on its shaft.

I'm guessing the "car" they used for the interior Beaver and Gilbert shots was possibly a mockup maybe? Why not just use the same hardtop sedan and not have to add fake pillars to mimic that of a sedan in the first place.

I like the episode though, lots of laughs.

vitoscotti · 10-22-2021, 07:42 PM

Might of noticed something was wrong. But, didn't sink in when watching.

stevea · 10-22-2021, 07:56 PM

Yes, I liked the episode, too--I'll have to re-watch it on the DVD. I think MeTV abbreviates the scene with them in the driveway--and that's probably Talbot's best scene in the whole series.

Back on subject, I never noticed the difference in models.

One other thing: interesting how Pine Avenue, a normally quiet residential street, turns into a main thoroughfare the minute Beaver is blocking the road. Murphy's law, though--I can see it happening in the real world.

Cx · 10-22-2021, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

One other thing: interesting how Pine Avenue, a normally quiet residential street, turns into a main thoroughfare the minute Beaver is blocking the road. Murphy's law, though--I can see it happening in the real world.

Amazing, isn't it? Except for the car on the closing credits, or Beaver's school bus, that street is so quiet you could camp out on it, until the magic '61 Plymouth blocks it, and it becomes Broadway in NYC.

BTW, thanks for the screen shots 'vitoscotti'.

CosmicCharlie · 10-22-2021, 09:50 PM

Good Catch !

Amazing what gets discovered after 50 +- years

This is like a Sherlock Holmes GAME and CX, I give you the lead !

stevea · 10-22-2021, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cx

Amazing, isn't it? Except for the car on the closing credits, or Beaver's school bus, that street is so quiet you could camp out on it, until the magic '61 Plymouth blocks it, and it becomes Broadway in NYC.

BTW, thanks for the screen shots 'vitoscotti'.

And virtually all of the drivers are nasty! "Get that heap outta here!" Horns constantly honking...

I think one guy asked Wally if he could use any help (he actually could've).

vitoscotti · 10-23-2021, 02:52 PM

Only 2 episodes! I believe it.

stevea · 10-23-2021, 08:48 PM

The only 2 episodes w/o a continuity error LOL

Scrabjan1 · 10-26-2021, 10:47 AM

Right. While Gilbert and Beaver’s are having a conversation in the car there are no cars going by then all of a sudden it’s a massive traffic jam. I also noticed the wobbly steering wheel.

stevea · 10-26-2021, 09:31 PM

(a little script re-writing, by me)

Gilbert: What a stupid kid you are, Beaver. What'd you think would happen when you took off the parking brake?

10-22-2021, 06:19 PM	#1
Cx Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 01, 2020 Posts: 209	Curious detail noted in 'Beaver Takes a Drive' A detail in the car(s) themselves. For the Cleaver's car, two models of 1961 Plymouth 4-door sedans were used, a hardtop sedan ( no "B pillar", or post ) between the front and rear doors, and a regular 4-door sedan with a pillar/post between the front and rear doors. When the shots of Beaver and Gilbert inside the car are shown, we can clearly see the "B" pillar, as well as the metal or plastic trim on it. When the car is in the street ( after having coasted down there, courtesy of Beaver ) and when Wally gets in to drive it back into the driveway, we can see the car is a hardtop sedan, with wooden planks located where the pillars would be on a regular sedan, to act as fake posts/pillars. From the outside you can clearly see they're painted a darker color and they're not at all flush with the exterior lines of the car. From the inside we can clearly see the unpainted planks of wood. I marveled because on one hand they were making an effort to cosmetically alter a vehicle for the sake of continuity and blur the differences between the cars, but on the other hand it was so crudely done it was laughable. The shots were long enough that even without the ability to pause, a viewer could easily see the difference. Another thing I noticed was when Beaver was getting in the driver's seat and gripping the steering wheel, it wobbled on its shaft. I'm guessing the "car" they used for the interior Beaver and Gilbert shots was possibly a mockup maybe? Why not just use the same hardtop sedan and not have to add fake pillars to mimic that of a sedan in the first place. I like the episode though, lots of laughs.

10-22-2021, 07:42 PM	#2
vitoscotti Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,084	Might of noticed something was wrong. But, didn't sink in when watching. Attached Images

10-23-2021, 02:52 PM	#7
vitoscotti Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,084	Only 2 episodes! I believe it. Attached Images
	Last edited by vitoscotti; 10-23-2021 at 06:28 PM.

10-22-2021, 07:56 PM	#3
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,907	Yes, I liked the episode, too--I'll have to re-watch it on the DVD. I think MeTV abbreviates the scene with them in the driveway--and that's probably Talbot's best scene in the whole series. Back on subject, I never noticed the difference in models. One other thing: interesting how Pine Avenue, a normally quiet residential street, turns into a main thoroughfare the minute Beaver is blocking the road. Murphy's law, though--I can see it happening in the real world.

10-22-2021, 09:50 PM	#5
CosmicCharlie Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2019 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,450	Good Catch ! Amazing what gets discovered after 50 +- years This is like a Sherlock Holmes GAME and CX, I give you the lead !

10-23-2021, 08:48 PM	#8
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,907	The only 2 episodes w/o a continuity error LOL

10-26-2021, 10:47 AM	#9
Scrabjan1 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 27, 2013 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 3,521	Right. While Gilbert and Beaver’s are having a conversation in the car there are no cars going by then all of a sudden it’s a massive traffic jam. I also noticed the wobbly steering wheel.

10-26-2021, 09:31 PM	#10
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,907	(a little script re-writing, by me) Gilbert: What a stupid kid you are, Beaver. What'd you think would happen when you took off the parking brake?