Good Night, and Good Luck

[K6JEK]

You've got to go see this movie if for no other  reason than to verify the correctness of the props -- RCA 44's, 77's Neumans U47's, tape machines, etc.

I liked the movie a lot.  First, I suppose, because it seems to validate my opinion that once upon a time news people (at least some of them) had integrity and cared about something besides pleasing the sponsors.  I also liked it because I'm bored with movies that are long on special effects and short on everything else.  I guess this makes me an old grump. 

But nevermind that.  You'll like the movie for the stuff.

[W1GFH]

Ditto on ID'ing movie props. Some years back I almost walked out on QUIZ SHOW when I saw a 1960's Lafayette crystal mic [copy of a DX77) in the 1950's Dave Garroway Show scene. I don't know how many biopic movies I lost interest in after I saw a Shure SM58 in a scene that was supposed to take place in the 1950's. And then there was the WWII movie where Hallicrafters gear was visible in Nazi HQ. Don't get me started....

[Steve - WB3HUZ]

The props might be correct, but the history was not. Murrow was one of the last in the press to take on McCarthy. Murrow admitted this. Even some of McCarthy's foes were appalled by Murrow's hack job on McCarthy. Murrow and integrity? Maybe not.

[Glenn NY4NC]

Some years back I almost walked out on QUIZ SHOW when I saw a 1960's Lafayette crystal mic [copy of a DX77) in the 1950's Dave Garroway Show scene.

Ya mean like this one?

[K6JEK]

The props might be correct, but the history was not. Murrow was one of the last in the press to take on McCarthy. Murrow admitted this. Even some of McCarthy's foes were appalled by Murrow's hack job on McCarthy. Murrow and integrity? Maybe not.

I haven't heard this point of view.  The online descriptions of Murrow and his producer, Fred Friendly, give them a lot of credit for creating the turning point for McCarthy.  For example:

http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/M/htmlM/murrowedwar/murrowedwar.htm
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/F/htmlF/friendlyfre/friendlyfre.htm

[W1GFH]

Some years back I almost walked out on QUIZ SHOW when I saw a 1960's Lafayette crystal mic [copy of a DX77) in the 1950's Dave Garroway Show scene.

Ya mean like this one?

Yup, that's the one. There were many versions made by Lafayette, Olsen, Argonne, CalRad, Fen-Tone, etc. around the mid 1960's made in Japan and sold for under $10. Today they have become a common film and photo prop for anyone who [misguidedly] wants to depict the 1950's.

[Glenn NY4NC]

Would you believe these go for big money on E-bay?... I'm not sure why....

PS.... I have the Olson version. 

[Ed KB1HVS]

Some years back I almost walked out on QUIZ SHOW when I saw a 1960's Lafayette crystal mic [copy of a DX77) in the 1950's Dave Garroway Show scene.

Ya mean like this one?

Yup, that's the one. There were many versions made by Lafayette, Olsen, Argonne, CalRad, Fen-Tone, etc. around the mid 1960's made in Japan and sold for under $10. Today they have become a common film and photo prop for anyone who [misguidedly] wants to depict the 1950's.

I have a Fen-Tone version. Dual crystal mic. Rather tinny but not too bad.

[W1GFH]

I have two "Argonne" versions which I got at Deerfield way back in the day. Back then, Old Buzzards unloaded their Japanese xtal mikes on JN's like me for $5 each.

[K1MVP]

Some years back I almost walked out on QUIZ SHOW when I saw a 1960's Lafayette crystal mic [copy of a DX77) in the 1950's Dave Garroway Show scene.

Ya mean like this one?



I have one of these mics given to me a while back by an OT who is now a SK.
It has no "markings" or name on it,--I have never used it,--I may just try it
sometime and see how "good", or "lousy" it sounds on the air.
                                       73, K1MVP      

Yup, that's the one. There were many versions made by Lafayette, Olsen, Argonne, CalRad, Fen-Tone, etc. around the mid 1960's made in Japan and sold for under $10. Today they have become a common film and photo prop for anyone who [misguidedly] wants to depict the 1950's.

[W1GFH]

I have one of these mics given to me a while back by an OT who is now a SK.
It has no "markings" or name on it,--I have never used it,--I may just try it
sometime and see how "good", or "lousy" it sounds on the air.
                                       73, K1MVP    

The hi-Z crystal elements inside can sound kind of D-104-ish at best, carbon button-ish at worst.

A quick and reversible mod is to mount a RS electret element in there using a blob of Silicone Caulking goop. Enough room for a 9V battery too.

[K1MVP]

I have one of these mics given to me a while back by an OT who is now a SK.
It has no "markings" or name on it,--I have never used it,--I may just try it
sometime and see how "good", or "lousy" it sounds on the air.
                                       73, K1MVP    

The hi-Z crystal elements inside can sound kind of D-104-ish at best, carbon button-ish at worst.

A quick and reversible mod is to mount a RS electret element in there using a blob of Silicone Caulking goop. Enough room for a 9V battery too.

Ok Joe,--thanks for the suggestion,--I may just try the RS electet mod just for
the heck of it and see how it sounds. It may not be a Heil mic, but it could
be a "poor man`s vintage" microphonium, hi, hi.
                                          73, Rene, K1MVP

[Glenn NY4NC]

Nice collection!!!!

I have two "Argonne" versions which I got at Deerfield way back in the day. Back then, Old Buzzards unloaded their Japanese xtal mikes on JN's like me for $5 each.