Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Talk => General Discussion => Topic started by: Phonesrfun on March 20, 2017, 08:53:30 PM

Title: Movie mistake Psycho
Post by: Phonesrfun on March 20, 2017, 08:53:30 PM
In Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960) there is a 302 issue.  About 30 or so minutes into the movie, the girl (Janet Leigh) is talking with Norman Bates in his office about taxidermy.  The scene goes back and forth between her and Norman for several minutes.  Each time it shows her, she is sitting next to a WE 302.  It sure appears that the handset on the 302 is missing the receiver cap!


I don't have a way of getting a screen grab, or I would put it in.


-Bill
Title: Re: Movie mistake Psycho
Post by: jsowers on March 20, 2017, 09:25:40 PM
Sharp eye, Bill. I'm watching it too and didn't notice. I did finally find a shot online showing the phone and yes, the earcap is missing.
Title: Re: Movie mistake Psycho
Post by: Dan/Panther on March 21, 2017, 12:37:13 PM
That must have been a low budget movie. However Alfred Hitchcock was not a low budget director. Maybe that is where all the money went.
D/P
Title: Re: Movie mistake Psycho
Post by: 19and41 on March 21, 2017, 03:57:45 PM
He purposefully made it appear low budget.  It was even filmed at the same studio and lot where  his television series was being filmed.
Title: Re: Movie mistake Psycho
Post by: RotarDad on March 21, 2017, 10:16:05 PM
I'm sure there's nothing wrong with that 302.  It's a hotline to Norman's mother Norma, and there's only dead silence at the other end of the line anyway....... ;)
Title: Re: Movie mistake Psycho
Post by: oldguy on March 22, 2017, 01:03:29 AM
It looks like she is talking into a smartphone:)
Title: Re: Movie mistake Psycho
Post by: Dan/Panther on March 22, 2017, 01:12:39 PM
Quote from: oldguy on March 22, 2017, 01:03:29 AM
It looks like she is talking into a smartphone:)

Time traveler.
D/P
Title: Re: Movie mistake Psycho
Post by: Phonesrfun on March 22, 2017, 03:05:11 PM
Quote from: RotarDad on March 21, 2017, 10:16:05 PM
I'm sure there's nothing wrong with that 302.  It's a hotline to Norman's mother Norma, and there's only dead silence at the other end of the line anyway....... ;)

Hey, that's a good one!

I always like these old movies, and the TCM channel is always a good place to see not only old movies but the old phones that go with.  Too bad Robert Osborne passed away.

Title: Re: Movie mistake Psycho
Post by: 19and41 on March 22, 2017, 03:13:24 PM
Try watching Saturday afternoons when the new lady on the block is on.  She is doing a good job with the informational aspect of the introductions.
Title: Re: Movie mistake Psycho
Post by: andre_janew on March 22, 2017, 04:57:12 PM
The 302 in the movie is probably also missing its receiver capsule because without the cap, I don't know what would hold it in!  It is just a prop and most likely isn't really hooked up anyway.  I also think the transmitter  capsule was taken out to balance things out so the handset would sit properly on the cradle.
Title: Re: Movie mistake Psycho
Post by: 19and41 on March 22, 2017, 05:33:49 PM
I'll bet the handset was dropped and broke the cap.  those old props did a lot of traveling back then.
Title: Re: Movie mistake Psycho
Post by: WEBellSystemChristian on March 22, 2017, 07:33:35 PM
Quote from: oldguy on March 22, 2017, 01:03:29 AM
It looks like she is talking into a smartphone:)
"Siri: Find me a Western Electric F1 handset receiver cap."

;D
Title: Re: Movie mistake Psycho
Post by: AE_Collector on March 22, 2017, 10:21:37 PM
Or calling 911 after piercing her ear on the spring contacts in the receiver cup.

Terry
Title: Re: Movie mistake Psycho
Post by: LarryInMichigan on March 22, 2017, 10:33:34 PM
A psychopath probably hears voices even without a receiver capsule.

Larry
Title: Re: Movie mistake Psycho
Post by: TelePlay on March 22, 2017, 11:51:42 PM
Quote from: WEBellSystemChristian on March 22, 2017, 07:33:35 PM
"Siri: Find me a Western Electric F1 handset receiver cap."

;D


Funny.

But, just think, if they had Siri when that movie was made how much farther along mankind would be today. Only question being for the better or worse . . .  ;)