Was the kind man in the opening ever given credit? - The Odd Couple (1970) Discussion

[–] Stubby-9 16 years ago

According to an interview with Tony Randall, that was a real person who actually stopped to try and help him with his luggage.

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[–] BRisBR 16 years ago

Yes, that guy. I knew he was real. So the only credit he got was a mention from Tony Randall, yes?

I guess the man can show his children and grandchildren his TV appearance, and that may satisfy him more than anything.

I don't expect a parade. It's just in those years, in NYC and in every major city really, crime was through the roof. I always was so happy to see evidence of someone helping a stranger.

B

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] mikdel 16 years ago

unbelievable, I always think of the same thing!! I have been watching the Odd Couple for 30 years and always think about that dude! amazing!

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[–] JR541 16 years ago

This thread reminds me of that woman with the horned rim glasses that watches Mary Tyler Moore throw her hat in the air at the end of the opening credits of her show. She too was a regular person that happened to be in the shot and her reaction was real. They later found out her name was Hazel Frederick. She died in the 1990s. I think she was in her 90's.

He's taking the knife out of the Cheese!
Do you think he wants some cheese?

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[–] zensixties 16 years ago

But I could've sworn the guy was looking at the camera before he approached Felix. Who knows.

Play the game existence 'til the end...of the beginning...

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[–] Patricia-14 13 years ago

I always wonder about the younger woman in the later MTM opening -- the woman with a wide face, a bob, and those huge glasses we were always wearing then. I always wonder who she is and where she is now.

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[–] SealordJohn 9 years ago

Photo #1 at http://jyanet.com/mtm/maryhat-s.jpg shows two female stars who appear in every episode of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show".

Photo #2 at http://www.dispatch.com/content/graphics/2012/01/27/mtm-10.jpg shows those two ladies reunited twenty years after the program ended its original run. In that photo, the lady on the left is Mary Tyler Moore, the star of that "The Mary Tyler Moore Show". And although the lady on the right may not look familiar, she appeared in every opening of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" as the lady who stares as Mary throws her hat in the air on a busy street in Minneapolis Minnesota (see Photo #1). Her name was Hazel Frederick.

In photo #2, with over 5,000 fans watching at the Mall of America on Oct. 19, 1996 in Bloomington, Minn., Mary Tyler Moore met with Hazel Frederick. Mary introduced her to the crowd as her "co-star" from the show. Sad to say, Hazel passed away just three years after this photo was taken. RIP Hazel.

You can read more details about the filming of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" opening scene, including why the shot of Hazel was used, at http://www.hometalkentertainment.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214318

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[–] SealordJohn 9 years ago

Photo #1 at http://jyanet.com/mtm/maryhat-s.jpg shows two female stars who appear in every episode of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show".

Photo #2 at http://www.dispatch.com/content/graphics/2012/01/27/mtm-10.jpg shows those two ladies reunited twenty years after the program ended its original run. In that photo, the lady on the left is Mary Tyler Moore, the star of that "The Mary Tyler Moore Show". And although the lady on the right may not look familiar, she appeared in every opening of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" as the lady who stares as Mary throws her hat in the air on a busy street in Minneapolis Minnesota (see Photo #1). Her name was Hazel Frederick.

In photo #2, with over 5,000 fans watching at the Mall of America on Oct. 19, 1996 in Bloomington, Minn., Mary Tyler Moore met with Hazel Frederick. Mary introduced her to the crowd as her "co-star" from the show. Sad to say, Hazel passed away just three years after this photo was taken. RIP Hazel.

You can read more details about the filming of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" opening scene, including why the shot of Hazel was used, at http://www.hometalkentertainment.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214318

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[–] IBikeNYC 8 years ago

You took the words right out of my mouth about that lady on MTM.

I understand Mary herself at one point referred to her as "my co-star;" can you say "Gracious?"

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[–] jayhn1111 8 years ago

I immediately thought of that when I read the post in this thread. That women looked at Mary like she was nuts or something

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[–] daverindone 8 years ago

The tricky thing about that shot is that it’s raining and the NYC streets are as packed as ever. The guy takes a wide swipe around Felix, then appears to reconsider. I’m willing to bet it wasn’t staged and Randall may have quietly told to guy to keep moving. If the boy scout bit was part of the show, he really leathers Felix, even the punch looked odd.
Reminds me of a time I was at a local pro wrestling show being held at gym. The guy next to me firmly believed it was all “real” and we were having fun just watching the card. A spot came up where the ref took a shot from one of the guys and landed on the hardwood with a vicious THUD. I was no more than 3 feet from him and it sounded like he cracked his head open. The guy next to me kept yelling for help and even I was unsure what to do as he just laid there as the match went on. Finally, the guy next to kind of crawled over to check and he says, quietly, “I’m ok.” 5 minutes later, I saw him out back, laughing and shooting the breeze.

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[–] bmovies 16 years ago

What about the old woman who hits Felix, and the Boy Scout who punches Tony in the arm right after? Whatever happened to them?

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] zensixties 16 years ago

Not according to Jack Klugman on the DVD commentary. He says the old lady and boyscout were completely unaware they were being filmed, as well as those in all the other clips in the opening and closing. It was just too well done not to be staged I thought. I assume they got release signatures from all these people.

Play the game existence 'til the end...of the beginning...

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[–] PaladinNJ (21529) 3 years ago

That had to be staged.

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[–] born2bamneris 16 years ago

They say the camera puts 10 pounds on you. That would put "the good samaritan's" weight at about 85-90 pounds. If he would have received a credit, he may have been entitled to a few residual checks... and the he could have gotten himself a cheeseburger or two.

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] born2bamneris 16 years ago

Yes I am fat.

6 foot 2 ... 255 pounds.

Like the old Jethro Tull song ... "Don't want to be a fat man, people would think I was just good fun." " It is not much fun.

With that being said...he was a bit mal-nurished.

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[–] gator-28 16 years ago

Years ago a doorman at our condominium told us he was on the sidewalk that day and it was staged so that as Oscar pays the cabbie through the front right window, turns and strides toward the building the crowd were purposely advised to start up as you can plainly see a group moving forward all together and in so doing appear to be totally blocking the sidewalk, about two to three deep.

" ALL GLORY IS FLEETING "

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[–] horatiohellpop 16 years ago

I got that impression as well since if you watch closely people do begin to move just after Oscar passes. I had seen some movies being filmed in Manhattan and that's what they do, they ask the crowd do stand back until someone gives them the cue to move.

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[–] horatiohellpop 16 years ago

The scene where the kind man stops to tend to Felix with the luggage, I finally realized where this scene was filmed, right outside the New York Public Library on 5th Avenue by 42nd. The closing scene where Felix stoops over to grab a taxi door handle and freezes because of his back, it's also in front of the Library. They were probably both filmed the same day.

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[–] tonycom5 11 years ago

Late response, but I'm pretty sure Felix doesn't stop by the taxi door because he hurts his back. He's reading the fares that are printed on the outside of the door.

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[–] rlbatesiii 10 years ago

I always thought Felix was inspecting the taxi's interior before sitting in it, being the neat freak he is...

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[–] hoosiersfan2011 10 years ago

I always thought Felix was trying to indicate that he thought the cab driver didn't stop close enough to where he was standing.

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[–] dart85 10 years ago

He bends over so awkwardly and quickly, it always looks to me like he had ripped the seam in the seat of his pants.

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[–] crlnrgbrght5 9 years ago

The scene in the closing credits with Felix grabbing the door of the taxi, and hesitates to step off of the curb; I always assumed it was because he wanted to avoid stepping into the water puddle.

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[–] CajunGenie 8 years ago

Every time I see that scene, it makes me think that Tony just barely avoids losing his balance and tipping forward because the cab driver didn't stop quite soon enough. Holding onto the door handle is the only thing that keeps him from falling!

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[–] RobBase086-1 15 years ago

Yes everytime I see the opening credits I always see that young guy wanting to help Mr. Randall out. I wonder if Mr. Randall told him it was a taping for a TV show or not after he approached him?

Dedicated to USA UP ALL NIGHT and the fans of the show! www.deefilmroll.com/usa-uan/

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[–] PurpleProseOfCairo 15 years ago

I'm afraid I don't believe Jack when he says the boy scout and the old lady were genuine. Actors love to tell anecdotes (aka lies) like this.

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[–] [email protected] 15 years ago

This may not have been staged- where a pretty girl walks past Oscar crossing the street and he turns around but a car almost hits him and Oscar puts his hands in the air angrily?

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[–] Stubby-9 15 years ago

I don't believe *any* of it is unstaged...

First of all, they'd have to get releases from these people.

Second, in most of the NYC footage, there are civiliains
staring at the camera all over the place...
Why wouldn't these people see it, too?

Lastly, all of the interactions are way too perfect
to be real people.

Just my .84 cents (adjusted for inflation)

===============================
"If intelligence equals power, you sir, are a weakling" Stubby-9

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[–] JR541 15 years ago

If a person walking by in the street gets in the shot they don't have to get them to sign a release. Now the lady and boy scout that hit Felix are definitely aware they are being filmed for a TV show and likely got paid.

He's taking the knife out of the Cheese!
Do you think he wants some cheese?

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[–] Stubby-9 15 years ago

In the 1970's, they could probably shoot without putting signs up,
but these days, if you were to do that, you'd have to put up signs
that said, "Filming in progress....by entering this area you consent
to having your likeness reproduced, etc..."
But the boyscout and the old lady are not 'background',
they are featured and would *have* to sign releases
in order to use them.

===============================
"If intelligence equals power, you sir, are a weakling" Stubby-9

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[–] crlnrgbrght5 9 years ago

I believe that , too. The old lady with the handbag and the boyscout, punching Felix in the arm looked to me like it was scripted.

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[–] horatiohellpop 15 years ago

They actually show this scene in one of the episodes (I forget which) when Felix gets kicked out by Oscar. Seconds after the man seems to stop by Felix, he turns around and keeps on walking. He never actually converses with Felix or makes a offering to help.

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[–] fuggedaboudit 15 years ago

I'm pretty sure that was seen in season one's The Breakup.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go fill my freezer with my own blood"

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[–] happipuppi13 11 years ago

One thing i always boticed in opening credits in 1970s sitocms that filmed outdoors. Someone "always" looks at the camera. Either purposely or intentionally. Some also,like the nice guy,haven;t a clue a TV show is being filmed.

That old lady in the opening of Mary Tuler Moore comes to mind. She thought Mary was some silly or crazy girl walking into traffic in the middle if a Minneapolis street,tossing her hat in the air.

MAN! One dream's come true,ready for another.
(MR.) happipuppi13 *arf,man!*!

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[–] BRisBR 13 years ago

REALLY? Well, my hopes for a kinder society are dashed. LOL!

I guess I should not have ASSUMED!

B

If you love Jesus Christ and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make it your signature!

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