Comments on: A Love Among the Ruins goof?

By: Friend of Sal

Friend of Sal — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 02:15:22 +0000

There is no pic up anymore, but I'd guess if it looks like a Blackberry to someone in this century, that it's a TRANSISTOR RADIO.

By: WestchesterJoe

WestchesterJoe — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:32:54 +0000

I have downloaded a copy and ran it screen by screen. It's definitely not a phone. To me, it looks like some sort of desk light or lamp. Before that image, there is a preview or quick snippet of something else on the same page. Its hard to explain but it looks like something that has a bottom and then extends up and then over to that side of the page.

By: SmilerG

SmilerG — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:20:22 +0000

Yes, the newspaper definitely is the Herald Tribune.

I noticed that when Don first opens the paper, on the lower right portion of the back page ad, there is a figure of some sort. I can't tell if it's an upright vacuum cleaner or a person holding a briefcase/suitcase. Maybe it's a big potted plant.

The only time reference in the episode is when Spring Break is mentioned, but if a date could be established, I bet the reference desk at the NY Library could find that edition of the newspaper on microfilm.

Knowing what a fiend Matt Weiner is for authenticity, I'm sure the prop master for the show just did a reproduction of the paper, thus avoiding the usual yellowing that would be seen, had the original newspaper been used.

By: 25framesaminute

25framesaminute — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:47:57 +0000

Interesting conversation and links. However, I can't believe they would let this slip. Doesn't each episode of Mad Men occur on a specific day? Find out the day and look at a microfilm copy of the NY Times.

By: freelancewoman

freelancewoman — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:37:13 +0000

Nope, I was alive and sentient in 1963, had a transitor radio, relatives had a TV remote, brother had walkie talkies — and am familiar with variations in the period on all those things — but none resembled the thing on the back page of Draper's newspaper.

It is unmistakably a phone from this period in time, Blackberry or not.

Can't think of any gizmo in the early '60s with that shape. Didn't exist, at least not in any object that would be advertised on the back page of a contempory newspaper.

By: Roberta Lipp

Roberta Lipp — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:15:07 +0000

Jerry I know you’re playing devil’s advocate but technically, yes. However the variety in body types, as compared to other tv shows, is not a coincidence. If Jon Hamm were bulkier he might not have been cast (this is my guess, of course).

One thing that has been pointed out is that more people would have been wearing glasses–as many people as wear contacts today, which is a much larger slice of the population than we are conscious of.

By: RetroGirl

RetroGirl — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:06:25 +0000

I agree with 25 Elle-elle. I know they wouldn't use a modern newspaper as a prop. The layout of the ad looks an example of early creative revolution. When I looked at the image blown up, I thought it looked like a walkie-talkie.

I'm not going to be near a computer for a few days, so I'm going to use this to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all of the basketcases and the Lipp Sisters.

By: Jerry Colvin

Jerry Colvin — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:07:27 +0000

Gee, everybody has perfectly straight, bleached white teeth… a little unusual for heavy smokers in 1963. Does this count as a time error too?

By: Elle-elle

Elle-elle — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:05:04 +0000

or maybe a tall drink? i have to stop guessing.

By: Elle-elle

Elle-elle — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:02:48 +0000

could be a transistor radio, walkie talkie or a tv remote