Re: "M-Squad"...filmed in Chicago, 1957-1960
Posted by:
captain54
(---.hsd1.il.comcast.net)
Date: October 09, 2010 01:53AM
Rustymuscle Wrote:
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> Something I've noticed. If one looks closely at
> the daytime close up shots of the M Squad police
> station the lights to the left and right of the
> main door say, "M SQUAD." However, when they have
> a nighttime close up shot of Ballinger in front of
> the main door of the police station, the lights to
> the left and right say, "POLICE."
>
> Just a thought, but was thinking by the time the
> series was shot, that Racine Avenue police station
> was ready for demolition and perhaps had no
> electricity. So, when they needed a night shot of
> the police station, they went to a fully active
> station....which of course, didn't have M Squad at
> the front door but did have a lit "POLICE" sign at
> the front.
I've noticed the nightime lighted "Police" signs at night shoots as well. I've also noticed the "Police" signs, unlit, and during the day shoots.
The earlier episodes, Season 1, has these "Police" signs unlit and during the daytime. Most of the episodes from Season 1 aired in late '57 and in "58, so more than likely they were filmed in '57 and the earlier part of '58, in which case the Superior and Racine Station may still have been in use, or at least had live electricity.
So if thats the case, one possible theory could be that the operable Racine station had the "Police" signs intact to the left and right of the door, and were usable day and night. Once the scenes were filmed in the operable station, they continued to use that footage throughout the remainder of the three seasons the series ran.
So, once the Racine Station became abandoned and earmarked for demolition, the "M-Squad" monikers were posted on either side, and were probably not wired to be lit. I've watched most of the episodes and I've never seen the "M-Squad" signs lit.
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 10/09/2010 02:02AM by captain54.