I happened to be watching the movie Blazing Saddles on TV the other day. Now I have seen this movie probably 25 times in my life and I own the dvd as well but even though I do I always stop on it when channel surfing, we all do it right? This time though I happened to notice in Sheriff Barts office next to the front door...A #645 L&JG Stickley bookcase with keyed tenons! I know it's a comedy and there were all kinds of silly things thrown in to the movie that had nothing to do with 1874. I guess the set decorator was just looking for a piece of furniture that would fit in an old west town.

We talked about spotting A&C homes in movies, tv shows and commercials on another thread, anyone want to share spotting furniture and accessories from the same medium, especially on older movies before A&C became more popular.

I know I always look, or at least thought I did, What about all of you?

Dano

Hello Mohawk, Thanks for the tip about the Stickley bookcase in Blazing Saddles. My memory is hazy but I think there is a nice Roycroft lamp on the Police Captain's desk in the Lon Chaney B-Movie "The Mummy's Hand".

I often point out items to my wife from movies and television programs.

Hey, I noticed the bookcase last time I watched as well. If I recall correctly, they also had a Yawman & Frbe looking filing cabinet in the corner of the sheriff's office. Weird!

I must be an Arts & Crafts dweeb as well; I saw the movie on TV about six months ago and noticed the bookcase immediately.

Well Circa, given the number of times Ive seen the movie I am disappointed in my lack of observation. Another one that I have seen is a bean pot VanErp lamp in "Field of Dreams" in the farm house scene where they are trying to figure out the bills. Not as old of a movie but still before most of the revival.

Dano

I work on TV commericials (I create the advertising). But when doing a period piece, or even a contemporary shot, one must pay attention to set direction. I'm sure, Mel didnt' really care so much about accuracy. The movie was a farce to begin with. I remember that Stickley bookcase. But the so-called wild west didn't necessarily stop at 1901. Califoria was settled, but still much of the west was frontier at that time. Besides, on a movie set, the set directos dig up anything from the prop department. Whatever is handy. Young Frankenstien's set was improvised from various stuff on hand. If a studio is doing a "real" bio pix, then attention to detail is important. Props, costumes need to be accurate. And a lot of research goes into it.
On the set, there is a director of continuity. But even today, you will see gaffs.

Only purists would notice there was something wrong with it and I dont think any of us thought that Mel Brooks would care about something being out of place, there were many references to that in the movie (Heddy Lamar? This is 1874, you can sue her!)The point was finding arts and crafts in movies even if they dont "fit". Sounds like a great job Dave thanks for the insight.

Dano

I know that A River Runs Through It had Stickley pieces in the background throughout the movie. Was there anything special that would justify watching that great movie again!

I'm not a huge fan of fishing so I never bothered to watch the movie, maybe I'm wrong and it has nothing to do with fishing so I should watch it when I have a chance to see the set decoration.

Dano

The thriller movie DISTURBIA is full of A & C pieces. The main character lives in a bungalow style house in California, and just about all of the lamps and furniture in the house is A & C. While the plot not exactly my taste, I watch it whenever I see it on cable. The last time I saw it, I noticed a small table used as a nightstand. It has Limbert styled hardware on it. The movie is definitely worth watching, just for the background props.

Two more A&C inspired set decorations, I rarely watch "Everybody Loves Raymond" but last night I just noticed the Stickley Reproduction Ellis rocker, also a buffet or server and a small bookcase int he background below the stairs. I am also loathe to admit that I watch "Desperate Housewives" mostly because of an unhealthy fascination with Dana Delaney, and who's house on the show is all Arts & Crafts.

Dano

Everywhere in Monk's house too!