Anyone here ID these (de-corded) handsets from the Patrick McGoohan series "The Prisoner", look like more an angular version of an Ericophone.
Maybe an intercom handset?
Even The Prisoner Appreciation Society is clueless as to what they were!
Any pointers gratefully received!
Maybe "just" a prop for the show?
Those look too detailed for a prop. I would not limit the searches to just telephone handsets, they may also be for radiotelephone or intercom use. That small square midway between the receiver and microphone might be a push to talk button.
It could be some sort of two way radio. Keep in mind it was 1967. I don't think they had cordless phones or cell phones back then. I don't think very many of them were made. I keep thinking it looks like something one might find in a Sharper Image catalog!
They could be handsets, with the cables taken off to make it seem cordless. Did they use them as radios or actually as phones (as in, they ring someone up with one)?
Perhaps a UK version of early Motorola mobile phones? "The Bricke" :D
Best regards!
I did a search on Ebay UK in a few different areas and a few keywords with nothing like this showing. They used some pretty interesting props on the series. One was an articulated lawn tractor. A year or two later my dad got one like it. I don't think there was another like it around. He couldn't have cared less about the series, just that it did good work. He literally wore that thing out. I think it was a Gravely.
Wrong. It was a Bolens. Here is one without the front mower deck.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2944/15391746656_739bdf7327_z.jpg
I agree, it doesn't look fake enough to be a regular prop!
I thought I saw something like these somewhere recently, but I can't put my finger on it...
Quote from: WEBellSystemChristian on October 21, 2015, 07:31:48 PM
I agree, it doesn't look fake enough to be a regular prop!
I thought I saw something like these somewhere recently, but I can't put my finger on it...
The big red curved one in the last pic is most definately a wooden prop, made at MGM Borehamwood, (you can notice the grain under the paint in close-up shots) - the others look quite functional, in the series you lift the "cordless" handset and get an operator, and press the PTT pad in the middle with your thumb, of course this is all fantasy, I therefor assume its 3 or 4 intercom handsets (obviously de-nuded of cords) from some pretty stylish intercom system made in the mid-60s?
This is the 1st episode, the first sighting of these strange handsets (and how the village phone system works) is at 4 minutes in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-BE8iicBkg
BTW McGoohan''s home phone is a typical UK "706-type" black, to fool him into thinking he is still in his London home when he first arrives... (9 mins in), though there's no bells in this one!
As it happens, I have one of the sets in question...
It's a National Interphone. Model number appears to be VL-290. I picked mine up on eBay - it popped in a search at some point, and as a "Prisoner" fan, I recognised it immediately. It was about 25 kilometres from, cost $30.
Here are a couple of contemporary adverts for them:
And, a couple of shots of mine:
Thanks for resolving that question. That program may always leave some unanswered, but it is fun trying to work them out.
Quote from: Keats on July 09, 2016, 03:49:46 AM
As it happens, I have one of the sets in question...
It's a National Interphone. Model number appears to be VL-290. I picked mine up on eBay - it popped in a search at some point, and as a "Prisoner" fan, I recognised it immediately. It was about 25 kilometres from, cost $30.
Keats! You are officially now a hero to Prisoner fans, no-one this side of the water has been able to ID these - thanks! & BCNU!
National (Japan)=Panasonic in some countries. US already had a National company that made radios so another name was used here
Mmm, the company was "National" here in Australia, with the "Panasonic" brand name being slowly rolled in through the latter half of the 70's / early 80's - "National", then "National Panasonic", and finally "Panasonic".
Quote from: Keats on September 04, 2016, 06:54:21 PM
Mmm, the company was "National" here in Australia, with the "Panasonic" brand name being slowly rolled in through the latter half of the 70's / early 80's - "National", then "National Panasonic", and finally "Panasonic".
It's unreal its a "Pana" handset considering my PBX is a 616, thanks for the additional info.
It is good this mystery has been solved. Now what kind of box was used for the wireless speaker system which connected to the Village PA and Muzak system?
Quote from: tallrick on June 22, 2020, 02:26:43 AM
It is good this mystery has been solved. Now what kind of box was used for the wireless speaker system which connected to the Village PA and Muzak system?
I did a quick search but can't find any images of it, could you add a few screenshots.
Meantime, found an image of number 6 making a call on a village phone (VL-290).
You can see it at the beginning of The Chimes of Big Ben, Number 6 puts it in the refrigerator when the music bothers him.
I got to watch the final 2 episodes earlier this week. The phones were more of a standout this time around. It appeared that only the curved handsets were in use in the underground chamber where #6 gets his graduation started. I finally noticed also, in the second to last episode Once upon A Time, that the character played by Leo McKern, playing the part of a schoolmaster, calls #6 into his office adressing him as "Drake". I didn't remember any reference to his identity mentioned before.
Quote from: tallrick on June 22, 2020, 02:26:43 AM...what kind of box was used for the wireless speaker system which connected to the Village PA and Muzak system?
Here are the ( somewhat belated :-[ ) screenshots of the speaker. Cannot see any name/brand on the images.
Looks like a plain old stereo music speaker.
Finally, after many years searching I have managed to source a pair of these Interphones. Hard to find. Only two have become available for sale in the last few years. These unused, still in packaging.
Time now to sit and watch the boxset, and arrange a visit to the village of Portmeirion.
https://portmeirion.wales
Be seeing you.
👁👌
Congratulations on the successful culmination of a long-term search. What a great feeling! Enjoy it.
WOW! CONGRATS. What a great find.
Quote from: gpo706 on October 20, 2015, 10:33:10 PM...handsets from the Patrick McGoohan series "The Prisoner"...
I know who Patrick McGoohan is, but never heard of that show. Was it shown only in England?
Mike
It was also in the US. Probably before your time. I was a kid when I watched it.
Quote from: MMikeJBenN27 on October 24, 2022, 02:19:25 PM...never heard of that show. Was it shown only in England?
Season 1, Épisode 1. Arrival.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=osNmf_zmSyE
:)
Aired in 1967, one season with 17 episodes. Came to a scripted end, the last episode concluded the series plot.
It's on Amazon Prime, YouTube and other places I don't recognize.
It was a great series!
I was right, I was only 10 ;D
In 1967 they would have appeared to be futuristic phones. Pretty cool design. Where did you find them CJ?
Thanks guys. :)
And thank you for the 'Likes'.
Quote from: HarrySmith on October 24, 2022, 04:51:17 PM...In 1967 they would have appeared to be futuristic phones. Pretty cool design. Where did you find them...
All I will confess to is the last (only) pair I saw sold for (in my opinion) silly money. In order to get these I had to pay silly money plus.
:-[
Quote from: FABphones on October 25, 2022, 10:02:11 AMThanks guys. :)
And thank you for the 'Likes'.
All I will confess to is the last (only) pair I saw sold for (in my opinion) silly money. In order to get these I had to pay silly money plus.
:-[
If the money was available and they make you happy then you'd have only regretted not buying them.
:)
...i suspect that they will also hold their value, esp. in that box-fresh condition. An investment.
Quote from: HarrySmith on October 24, 2022, 02:31:30 PMIt was also in the US. Probably before your time. I was a kid when I watched it.
Before my time? I am 67 years old.
Mike
OK Sorry, I did not know that. Guess we are both members of the old farts club ;D
I remember watching "The Prisoner" on TV in the US in the late 70s or early 80s, so at least in some areas it was repeated from time to time.
Quote from: SUnset2 on October 27, 2022, 12:30:54 AMI remember watching "The Prisoner" on TV in the US in the late 70s or early 80s, so at least in some areas it was repeated...
The Prisoner has aired many times over the years. Currently 55 years since it's first showing.
Three additional (unoriginal) colours of Interphone can be seen on the desk of Number 2.
The Village ('public') phones were in their original colourway, each having their cord removed for that futuristic cordless phone appearance.
The complete "Prisoner" series including not only the 17 episodes but also the trailers and other descriptive videos is currently available on the ROKU channel for free if you have a ROKU device, through your ROKU device.
I've had a ROKU Express connected to my WiFi and TV (HDMI) for years providing quite a variety of Programming, well worth the one time low price device purchase.
That was a really small car . . .
Opening scenes.
Quote from: TelePlay on October 27, 2022, 10:08:53 AMThat was a really small car . . .
It's a Lotus 7, an iconic British sports car.
Very Sharp car indeed!!
Quote from: TelePlay on October 27, 2022, 10:08:53 AMThat was a really small car . . .
Always amuses me when he puts the ticket into the machine to enter the House of Parliament underground car park. The car is so low he drives through before the barrier has lifted.
;D
—-
« The "KAR 120C" used in the original filming was a Lotus Super 7 series II »
There were three Lotus 7 vehicles used for the series. The first was sold abroad and written off in a racing accident.
For what it's worth, this is THE Lotus 7 Series II used in the Prisoner with its specs.
The Lotus 7 only had 95 horsepower but only had to move a 1,025 pounds vehicle. In comparison, the similar sized 1958 Corvette had a 270 horsepower V8 to move a 2,926 pound vehicle, about the same ratio as the Lotus 7.
Taking a 'Google walk', good to see Number 6's residence (scenes shot on location, London, UK) has a conveniently nearby K6 telephone kiosk.
:)
Whilst having a bit of a workshop tidy up today I spotted this price label on the Interphone box. This set was originally purchased from Harrods (London).
Very posh Interphones!
Price paid c. 1971 was £13.60. Sounds like a bargain, however the price converts today to about £165 ($208) which was well over the average weekly wage at the time.
Quite an expensive intercom from a very posh store where only the well heeled would have shopped.