Victrola?? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

hifijohn · 06-03-2025, 02:05 AM

The show is from the '60s, so why are they using an old wind-up Victrola???

biffbronson · 06-03-2025, 05:08 AM

For the same reason Sam Drucker uses an old-fashioned "candlestick" style telephone on PJ and Green Acres. These types of out-of-date props reinforce the idea that Hooterville operates at a much slower pace than the whiz-bang modern world of the 60s out there, backward you might argue.

The Shady Rest's wall phone was not even hooked up, further showing there hadn't been modernization. Along with an elevator that isn't one. The Cannonball itself is an old-fashioned steam train while the rest of the C&FW line consists of modern diesel locomotives. You can argue it's an unfair or unrealistic stereotype to show rural (and especially southern) regions as not having caught up with modern living -- but these anachronisms sometimes contribute to the humor, while providing a nostalgic charm.

06-03-2025, 02:05 AM	#1
hifijohn Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 07, 2013 Posts: 209	Victrola?? The show is from the '60s, so why are they using an old wind-up Victrola???

06-03-2025, 05:08 AM	#2
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,297	For the same reason Sam Drucker uses an old-fashioned "candlestick" style telephone on PJ and Green Acres. These types of out-of-date props reinforce the idea that Hooterville operates at a much slower pace than the whiz-bang modern world of the 60s out there, backward you might argue. The Shady Rest's wall phone was not even hooked up, further showing there hadn't been modernization. Along with an elevator that isn't one. The Cannonball itself is an old-fashioned steam train while the rest of the C&FW line consists of modern diesel locomotives. You can argue it's an unfair or unrealistic stereotype to show rural (and especially southern) regions as not having caught up with modern living -- but these anachronisms sometimes contribute to the humor, while providing a nostalgic charm.