sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Other TDM Phone Systems 1A2 and Comkey Telephones & Systems Show "Mad Men" Intercom Setup

I don't know about anyone else, but one of my favorite things about the show Mad Men was being able to see all of the 1A2 phones in action and the operators using the switchboard on the company PBX.

But what intercom system are they using? The speakers I recognize as Orators (see photo below), but I recall in the show there's a buzz like on a dial intercom before the secretary would speak. Is this just something they added in, or was there really a way to trigger a buzz and then speak over the remote party's Orator speaker like newer digital systems can with HFAI? Looks to me like they modified the on switch and removed the locking pin or screw that keeps the speaker in the on position to make it appear as if the called party could speak back... Or is it all just fake movie set stuff? I am still looking for a YouTube clip of them using the intercom. I'll post it here if/when I find one.

Thanks for any input.

Scott

Scott,
I can't answer your question, but as you undoubtedly know, most movies and TV shows get it wrong when it comes to sound effects and phone systems. Just like when they dub in a loud "screeching tires on asphalt" sound for a scene where a car peels out on a snow-covered dirt road.

Some exceptions do exist. The Rockford Files was filmed on real locations with real stuff, and a lot of the 1A2 and 4A stuff you will see on there was actually connected and working.

If you like to spot old phone equipment on screen, check out the movie version of "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying." You will not be disappointed!

Jim
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Life is too short to have an opinion.

P.S. Love that old IBM Selectric! Those were the days, when stuff was built to last.

I love the phones in the show Emergency! from the 70s.

I just saw an episode of The Dukes of Hazard where Daisy dialed the operator on a black 2565 with her heal while being tied up. Enos picked up on another 2565 that lit and rang correctly. At least the phones were believable.

Scott -

An Orator was a one-way (listen only) speaker. The unit you're looking at in that picture is the transmitter for a WECO 3A speakerphone.

I believe I've mentioned this before, so if you've heard it forgive me.

In the UK, the most popular show for many years was "Cagney & Lacey" and apparently everyone across the pond wanted a "Cagney & Lacey Phone" ( a 1A2 set). For a while I got an unusual amount of postings from Brits on how to wire up some 1A2 set they found on line.

Sam

Whoops, guess I was at least close

Here's one that's similar:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-We...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27ee781105

@Jeff Moss - I like seeing the dispatch centers in Emergency and the 1st Season's "Adam-12" opening.

Many years ago (VHS days) I was watching a Sci-Fi movie and in one scene near the front door this was flush-mounted [and as in real-life it even had some of the plastic buttons broken and/or missing].

That looks like and old Microcom Tie 816 set.

A 565 was a dial phone. A 2565 was Touch Tone phone. However with Kathryn Bachs looks, body and skimpy outfit I guess it doesn't matter.