MovieChat Forums > Then Came Bronson (1969) Discussion > Cleaning Bricks

Cleaning Bricks

posted 17 years ago by R_Meyer
15 replies | jump to latest

The epi I never forgot is where Bronson gets a day job knocking mortar off old red-bricks so they can be re-used. His girl friend refuses and he tells her if she don't work she don't eat.

This premise -- that there could be such a job, people hammering mortar off old bricks and getting paid per brick -- seemed very hokey to me at the time. Totally unrealistic and downright stupid.

A few years ago I saw in a documentary (probably on PBS) where people actually were doing this! So the epi was real, based probably on the writer having seen it somewhere.

Sonuvagun!!!

[–] porfle 16 years ago

"Where are the rest of the eggs?"
"I'm eatin' 'em!"

http://www.bumscorner.com
http://www.myspace.com/porfle

[–] R_Meyer 16 years ago

Are those lines from a epi??

[–] porfle 16 years ago

Yeah, that's what happens the morning after the brick cleaning, when she finds out that he wasn't kidding when he said "you don't work, you don't eat."

http://www.bumscorner.com
http://www.myspace.com/porfle

[–] R_Meyer 16 years ago

Thanks I think I vaguely remember that. Only been 38 years!!!

[–] mcrider1 16 years ago

That scene was from the Movie Pilot, not an episode. Otherwise correct, I chipped a few bricks myself.

[–] trailbuster30 16 years ago

Boy R_Meyer you must be a young feller :) lol.

My brother and I cleaned many a brick when we were young. It was actually quite common for kids to do this to make a few extra bucks. We did it for my dads boss at his ranch in the early 60s for money to help out with bills.

That scene definitely brings back memories.

I managed to find all 26 episodes of TCB on the net for $25.00! including the movie just a few days ago.

They don't make programs like this anymore, that's for sure.

Dan

[–] R_Meyer 16 years ago

Dan in the NY City suburb where I grew up bricks arrived on pallets, secured with metal bands, hauled in by flat bed trucks. heehee

Believe me I'm no young fella but thanks for suggesting it!!

As Dirty Harry would say, "You made my day."

[–] trailbuster30 16 years ago

It's funny but I keep calling the days when we cleaned bricks, wallpapered with newspaper and had to swallow Vicks vapo rub for a sore throat "The good old days".:)

I guess we must all be of the same mind or we wouldn't be here discussing this great 38 year old TV series.LOL

Dan

[–] pbl1 16 years ago

I believe that George Wallace was opposed to cleaning bricks

What the $%*& is a Chinese Downhill?!?

[–] TooSlim 14 years ago

Historical or recycled brick is very popular....and can be more expensive than modern brick. People like it for it's look. Because old brick used a different manufacturing technique than modern brick, the bricks age and color in a different way.

[–] jomarden81 11 years ago

Original Post: "...he tells her if she don't work, she don't eat."

Bronson's memorable ultimatum to the princess is a direct allusion to Capt. John Smith's simple edict to the lordly elite in his wobbly Jamestown colony, and that edict is is related to the biblical wisdom of 2 Thessalonians 3:10 - "... we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. "
I wonder how many kids today might recognize either of these connections, not that they're likely to ever see "Bronson." At least the Internet makes it easy to make those connections, if you're curious.

And "peeling brick" for vintage resale/re-use has become a steady part of the demolition industry today, because EPA emissions regulations effectively eliminated many of the sooty old kilns which produced classic brick styles such as Chicago common (a mottled orange/pink/tan, sorta reminiscent of color-casehardened steel).

[–] bron-tay 9 years ago

This premise -- that there could be such a job, people hammering mortar off old bricks and getting paid per brick -- seemed very hokey to me at the time. Totally unrealistic and downright stupid.

Why on earth? That kind of work has been around probably from the beginning of time. People hang out at Home Depot and Lowe's all the time waiting for day jobs.

~~~~~~~
Please put some dashes above your sig line so I won't think it's part of your dumb post.

[–] R_Meyer 9 years ago

Why on earth?

Why on earth did you wait seven years to respond...and then not bother to read the entire thread? Already addressed. How so? Just hang on and I'll explain. In 2021! 

[–] Bob_Zerunkel 9 years ago

Why on earth?

You are the original poster. You seem to think cleaning mortar off of bricks is a seldom-seen activity because 1, you didn't know of it before you saw it on TV, and 2, because your only knowledge comes from a documentary.

Bron-tay, and the others, are pointing out that people have been doing that for centuries.

It's not Bron-tay that should be reading the entire thread.

[–] R_Meyer 9 years ago

Let me respond to your question first: Why on Earth?

Why was the fictional locale of the show on planet Earth? Because that planet is the only one known to be inhabited by human beings. If the locale had been some distant world the show would have been very different.

As to your other comments: Bob the conversation moved beyond the point you're at. Eight years ago, Bob.  This was explained and acknowledged (eight years ago!) in the part you either didn't bother to read or are ignoring. If it's the latter I presume that's because...

It's fun to try and start arguments with strangers on the Internet.  Eh, Bob?