MovieChat Forums > Ironside (1967) Discussion > Wheelchair

Wheelchair

posted 17 years ago by matpinckney
6 replies | jump to latest

Why does Ironside always move the wheels to his chair himself, even when being pushed? He seems to do it every time. Any explanations?

Thanku for your time.

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"Here's a little Arnold for you." - W. Axl Rose.

[–] misspaddylee 17 years ago

Perhaps it gives him a sense of control. After all, he is the Chief!

"It's as red as The Daily Worker and just as sore."

[–] sueeastlake 11 years ago

I remember several times Ironside saying that he wanted to push the wheelchair, particularly after he was offered an electric wheelchair and chose to keep the manual one. Particularly in "Return of Ironside", in the last scene in the hospital, when he had been using an electric wheelchair, he was delighted to find a manual wheelchair similar to his old one and traded the electric model for the manual. We last see him wheeling away with his wife Katherine. Raymond Burr became quite adept at using the wheelchair as the series progressed.

[–] terry_l_kiser-1 17 years ago

matpinckney: Throughout the majority of the episodes of the Ironside series Raymond Burr weighed in at around 230 to 250 pounds on his heavy-boned 6 foot 3 inch frame. Combine that with the 52 pound weight of the extensively custom-built, utilitarian Art Deco style chrome plated tubular steel Everest & Jennings Custom Premier wheelchair Burr employed from the episode "Robert Phillips vs. The Man" till the very end of the series and you begin to see why he can be routinely observed giving an assist to whoever might be pushing him in it.

Amy Grant * I Will Remember You - Rhythm Remix Vietnam War Casualties Memorium Promo Music Video

[–] matpinckney 17 years ago

Haha, I see. Thanks for the explanation.

********
"Here's a little Arnold for you." - W. Axl Rose.

[–] lemonpig73 10 years ago

I agree that on the flat he would help his aide. But why do it while rolling down the ramp? A few times we can see Mark trying to slow down the wheelchair and Ironside still turning the wheels. Two actions which seem contradictory.

[–] rosarypliers 10 years ago

Ironside had problems with the ramp in early episodes. In Memories of an Ice-Cream Stick it is strongly hinted that he needs Mark's help going up...and on one occassion, when he descended without Mark holding the chair, he almost bumped into the office desk. Later, he had learned to master the ramp, both up and down.

You may cross-examine.