Vintage (non working) Telephones
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Forum Discription: For how-to's and where-can-I-find
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4013
Printed Date: 5/15/25 at 10:42am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Vintage (non working) Telephones
Posted By: Bbentler
Subject: Vintage (non working) Telephones
Date Posted: 5/07/09 at 6:44am
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I am working on a production of Thoroughly Modern Millie and am trying to find a reasonably prices 6 telephones and typewriters for a 1920's office. Does anyone know where I might rent or purchase something like that. They do not have to be in working order.
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Replies:
Posted By: tristanrobin
Date Posted: 5/07/09 at 3:56pm
I have borrowed vintage telephones from our local telephone company - they keep them around for display. There has never been a charge.
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http://tristanrobin.blogspot.com
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Posted By: Bbentler
Date Posted: 5/08/09 at 9:01am
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That's a great idea. Are there any other places to rent such things? We just need so many!
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Posted By: Bbentler
Date Posted: 5/14/09 at 9:29pm
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I checked with our local phone company. No such luck. They do not have any available. Any other ideas? Six...bleh
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Posted By: tristanrobin
Date Posted: 5/19/09 at 7:20pm
have you thought about using stylized 'cartoon' versions - perhaps oversized, so they make a statement and don't look as if you're trying to make them look real?
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http://tristanrobin.blogspot.com
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Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 5/20/09 at 10:41am
Candlestick telephones are actually quite simple to make with items from your local craft store, drug store, & lumber yard.
You will need 1) scrap plywood, 2) closet rod doweling, 3) SMALL dixie cups, 4) heavy cord or yarn, 5) paint, 6) glue & screws.
Cut a disc about 6" out of 3/4 plywood. This will be the phone's base.
On top of this, glue another plywood disc about 4" diameter. This will give the base dimension.
Cut a piece of closet rod doweling (1-1/4" diameter) to about 8." Cut one end flat and the other at 45 degrees bevel.
Glue & screw the flat end to the center of your telephone base.
Glue a 3" plywood disc onto the telephone base -- it can rest at an angle, leaning against the closet dowel. This is the "dial."
Glue & screw ANOTHER 3" plywood disc center to the top (beveled end) of the rod. And hot-glue a dixie cup to the center. This forms the mouthpiece.
Glue & screw ANOTHER Dixie cup to the end of a scrap piece of closet rod (about 2"-3") This forms the earpiece.
Attach the earpiece to the telephone base with about 2'-3' of the heavy cord/yarn. Glue scrap pieces of the cord around the lip of the dixie cups, both ends of the closet rod and anywhere else to create decorative detail on your phones.
Give the whole thing a thorough coat of black paint to hide all the seams. Paint white dots on the dials.
To create the "hang-up" mechanism, simply screw the ends of two (2) 3" brass screws into a "V"-shape near the top of the closet dowel.
(Or, you can purchase specialty hardware that is u-shaped with a threaded end for screwing into wood. These are used for hanging up tools and can be painted brass).
NOTE: These dimensions are approximate as I was going off a photograph of an original phone and was piecing this together simply by what looked right. You may need to adjust your dimensions to suit your aesthetic.
I suggest you build one first as a prototype and tweak the measurements to your liking -- then mass produce the others.
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"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone
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