let Maxwell Smart and agent 99 use their home for their 1968 wedding. 99 looked so
beautiful walking down the Barkley front stairs.
The LEAST the Smarts could've done was INVITE the Barkleys. But that would require
a time machine, wouldn't it? :)
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Isn't it fun to spot those things?
I was watching Mannix late one night. At the very beginning of the episode Joe Mannix was going to a party at a nice house.... this house being NOTHING like the one I knew from another show!
He entered the house and all of a sudden he had arrived in the Brady Bunch's living room!
This was before the Brady Bunch.... Apparently, the set was so good, they decided to use it for that show!
That's very interesting. All shows had what they called "existing sets." These were sets that were never "struck" (taken
down). Due to overcrowded soundstages, lack of time, saving expense, etc., these shows "borrowed" each other's
sets. This is why we see a few dinner parties on BEWITCHED in the "I Dream of Jeannie" house; Dr. Bellows living in
Sam and Darrin's house (maybe they had a time share!).
What was confusing to me, is that in the closing credits of the earlier "Get Smart" years, it says the series was filmed
at Paramount. In the final fifth year, it says it's filmed at CBS Studio Center (now Radford Studios). I always assumed
that when NBC canceled GS after its fourth year, and CBS picked it up for its final year, they changed filming locations.
But it's obvious the move was several years earlier (in several backlot scenes, you see Max and 99 running through
rough country and "fronts" (houses) also used on BV).
Side note: Before it was CBS Studio Center, it was Republic Studios, which made B Westerns for decades. Also, the
first season of "Leave to Beaver" was shot there, as was "Alfred Hitchcock Presents."
Your post was REALLY interesting, as I've never heard of a new series taking on an existing set. Since they didn't
just build it for "Mannix", it must've been used in several other shows before "The Brady Bunch."
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Yes, i have seen the Bewitched house, and the I Dream of Jeannie house in different shows and movies as well. I can't think of them off the top of my head, but I notice them immediately while watching other things. I've also noticed the Cleaver's second house in different shows from the 60 and early 70s. There is a website that offers the info on this stuff. Can't think of the name, so once again, I'm a big help, right? LOL!
One fun thing I have noticed, all because I own and watch Leave It To Beaver, The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Hour, and Perry Mason is that the soundtracks on those shows.... all CBS shows are the same ones.
Ruta Lee had a good part in an episode of The Twilight Zone. A Short Drink From a Certain Fountain. She wore this really great white dress in the opening scene. In a later Perry Mason episode she wore that same dress.
I like the fact that these sets, the music and even clothing and props were used and reused. I just enjoy spotting these things.
The most likely reason Ruta Lee is seen in the same dress is because many actors and actresses wore their
own wardrobe for shows. This is the most likely case here, as it's highly unlikely that Miss Lee would get
the same dress several years later for a different series from wardrobe.
Because I'm from L.A., I've been fortunate enough to visit the Warner Brother's Ranch (formerly the Columbia
Ranch). This is where Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, Dennis the Menace, The Partridge Family, and many
other shows films there exteriors. Today, it has changed a lot. The "New York" streets are long gone (now
home to Warner Brothers offices). But the park with the fountain is still there. All the fronts have been remodeled
(you'd never recognize The Partridge Family/Kravtiz "house"). However, the Bewitched/I Dream of Jeannie fronts
are pretty much the same. In fact, the Jeannie House is a full functioning HOUSE, not just a front. It's the
landscaping office, where all the gardening/water supplies are stored fur upkeep on the lot. Weird, but
fascinating.
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I wish you had been around a few years ago when I had asked about Ruta Lee's dress. I think I may have asked on the Perry Mason board. Someone there told me that the wardrobe Dept. at CBS would have supplied the same dress. I had really wondered though, if the dress was from her own wardrobe but you have to admit that the studio would supply these things, wouldn't you? You seem to know more about it though, so I'll trust your judgment on the matter.
You certainly seem to know a great deal about these things.
I've seen your posts throughout the years, so I doubt I know more than you do.
It's very possible that wardrobe did supply Lee the same dress. I do know that TZ was filmed at MGM
studios. I'm not positive here, but wasn't PM filmed at another studio? If it was, it's more than likely
the dress belonged to Miss Lee.
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I have seen you around too! It's always nice to see people I remember from the IMDb days.
I wasn't sure of the studios. I just assumed that CBS was one big happy family and that they kept things for all of their shows to use.
That's how much I know about it. LOL!
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Question?
Was it you who worked at one time helping with sets on the Route 66 series? Did you work on the set of the episode with Joan Crawford or do I have you confused with someone else?
Oh, no, "Route 66", was before my time! It wasn't me. HOWEVER, since you brought up Crawford,
I have a delicious (if gross) story to share with you.
My dear friend, Marie, who passed away about ten years ago, worked as a dancer at various studios
in the '50's and '60's. She worked with many stars, some of whom were Kind (Gene Kelly), others
who were not so kind (Susan Hayward), and others who were constantly late (Monroe).
One day, she was working as a dancer on a Crawford picture (not sure which film). Crawford
had her own private dressing room, nor too far from the set. Everyone else had to use the
"standard" bathroom. Unfortunately, one day, Crawford was shooting a scene, and suddenly
her eyes bulged! Something she had eaten (or drank!) at lunch disagreed with her and she
had to get to the toilet IMMEDIATELY. Apparently, the standard bathroom, while not private,
was technically closer than her dressing room. She pushed everyone out of her way, and
made a beeline to the standard restroom. She hurried inside, locking the door behind her,
to ensure privacy. There were two stalls. Crawford ran into one, not knowing my friend
Marie was occupying the other. For the next several minutes, Marie was "treated" to a variety
of "sound effects" (her words) from the other stall (she didn't know yet WHO was in there).
As fate would have, they both exited their stalls at the same time, and walked in unison to
the sink to wash their hands. Marie was shocked to see Crawford, Crawford stunned to
see ANYONE (and furious). Marie was treated to a sea of dirty looks from Crawford as
both women washed their hands and hurried out.
True story.
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Sorry for the error. I was thinking of someone else.
That is a funny story! I hope your friend didn't have any more encounters with Miss Crawford!
Sounds like your friend has a treasure trove of interesting stories, having worked with these people. Her experiences are truly something to look back on.... even having worked with some stinkers! 😊