Tag Archives: Radios in Movies

One vintage radio in two classic films

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Hawkins, who writes:

This evening I watched the excellent Undercover: How to Operate Behind Enemy Lines on Netflix streaming. This is a 1943 training film for Office of Strategic Services personnel learning how be secret agents. The film was directed by the legendary John Ford who also took an acting role in the film. In this scene, Al is receiving his forged papers from an OSS agent before leaving for Germany. A radio may seen on a shelf in the background.

Undercover: How to Operate Behind Enemy Lines is also available on YouTube:

Click here to view on YouTube.

The next film is much better known. The same model radio makes a foreground appearance in Some Like it Hot. Osgood Fielding III has one of these on his yacht.

Maybe Osgood is laughing because the film takes place in 1929 and the company that made the radio was founded several years later.

I won’t spoil the secret of this radio’s maker and model. It will probably not take long for SWLing Post readers to come up with an answer.

Post readers: are you up for the challenge? 🙂 What model of radio do we see here? I’ll keep quiet, because it’s one of my favorite manufacturers.

And, Dan, many thanks. I really do owe you one because I was not familiar with Undercover: How to Operate Behind Enemy Lines. I can’t believe there was a WWII era Ford film I had missed. I, too, have Netflix but the YouTube copy you suggested is actually a better restored version in terms of audio. Thanks again!

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Mark spots a Transoceanic in “Kiss Me Deadly”

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who writes:

Following your recent post about Hemingway, I spotted what looks like a Zenith Transoceanic in the the classic film noir, “Kiss Me Deadly” – a favourite of mine with such memorable moments such as the “What’s in the box” scene.

That does, indeed, look like a Transoceanic–possibly the Model T600? Great catch. Thanks, Mark, for sharing your film and TV radio sightings!

Click here to see Mark’s previous contributions.

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Mark spots a National NCX-3 in Fargo season 2

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who writes:

I’m currently enjoying season 2 of Fargo on Netflix. This radio popped up in episode 9, in use by the South Dakota police.

Sharp eyes, Mark! I’m impressed with the number of radio sightings you find in present-day TV and film.

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Mark spots shortwave radios in the series “Helix”

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who writes:

I spotted a Sony ICF-SW7600GR in episode 5 of the Netflix bio-thriller ‘Helix‘:

On a roll, I spotted another shortwave radio [in a different scene].

You’ve got sharp eyes, Mark! Thank you for sharing.

Can anyone identify the solid-state receiver in the second screen shot?

I know I’ve seen this model before, but I can’t recall the make or manufacturer.

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Heathkit Radio in Netflix’s “Stranger Things”

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who has once again spotted a classic radio in film:

This shot of some Heathkit radios came up in the first episode of “Stranger Things”.

The teacher mentions the brand by name, having sourced them for some enthusiastic school friends who then proceed to talk straight into the mike without any kind of call sign. I’m guessing none of the gear was turned on at that stage.

Thanks Mark! There’s no mistaking the classic styling of Heathkit!

I’ll put Stranger Things on my Netflix watch list. If it has a Heathkit in the first episode, it must be worthy entertainment! 🙂

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Mark notices a Yaesu FRG-8800 on “Death in Paradise”

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who writes:

I noticed recently in an episode of the BBC series, “Death in Paradise“, a Yaesu FRG-8800 sat on a book case.

[The screenshot is] from Season 4, Episode 1 “Stab in the Dark”, with the radio off DS Camille Bordey’s right shoulder. [See image above–click to enlarge]

The Yaesu FRG-8800 (Source: Universal Radio)

So far, it has never been used. As the show is set on a fictitious Caribbean island, perhaps the props people figured a radio like that might be part of a busy island police station where seemingly someone dies every week.

I wonder what other shows people have noticed amateur radio gear in (Season 2 of 24 comes to mind, when Kim Bauer is taken in by a survivalist).

Thank you, Mark. I like how the FRG-8800 is just sitting there on the shelf–doesn’t look like it’s connected to anything.

Only recently, I noted a classic shortwave receiver in the trailer of a film. I think I captured it and made a note, but forgot to post. I’ll see if I can find it and post. Hopefully, seeing the image will jog my memory!

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