The lightbulb trick - The Addams Family (1964) Discussion

[–] Alek_Hidell 12 years ago

No, not really. Remember it only had to light up for a few seconds at a time to get the shot. Besides, I remember there were Addams Family toy light bulbs that were sold back when the show was first on that did the same thing. Not sure what kind of battery they had, but a AAA would have fit in there just fine.

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I'm just a patsy!

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[–] 12 years ago

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[–] Starduster 11 years ago

Indeed the bulbs were sold in stores. The original (and best ones) were actually made of glass like an ordinary bulb. They were often sold in "magic shops" as a prop or trick.
The "toy" ones were plastic and didn't look much like a real bulb since light bulbs are not plastic.
The principal was the same. A small ( i believe the original was AA) battery was concealed in the bulb. The metal base unscrewed to replace the battery. Some glass ones didn't have a replaceable battery and were worthless when the battery died.
In any event, the ones I have seen had metal bases and would light up when a piece of aluminum foil came in contact with the base and metal tip. A piece of foil in your mouth or hidden in your hand would light a small flashlight bulb inside of the outer bulb.
The technical aspects are old technology but it could be greatly improved today with "button" style batteries and led lights inside.

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[–] anger_is_a_gift1120 12 years ago

all these years later and I still wonder how they did it. if you watch Jackie Coogan it kinda looks like he's either using his tongue to push something or whistling/blowing.

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[–] anger_is_a_gift1120 12 years ago

all these years later and I still wonder how to do it. if you watch Jackie Coogan it looks like he's either using his tongue to push something or whistling/blowing.

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[–] 12 years ago

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[–] trollomatic 12 years ago

I want to know how they did the smoking trick with the smoke coming out of Morticia's ears.

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[–] 12 years ago

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[–] madkaugh 12 years ago

If I was going to do the smoke trick, I would use vinyl tubing up her back, behind her neck and head, then near her ears. The 'smoke' could be many things.

Do you recall that she always preceeded this by asking, "Do you mind if I smoke?"

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[–] 12 years ago

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[–] trollomatic 12 years ago

well, it's been a long time since I watched any of them. And it's easy to get that mixed up as it was basically the same joke.

But now that I think about it, I think you all are right.

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[–] Bobs Dad 11 years ago

I actually had a toy Addams Family light bulb when I was a kid. It was a plastic light bulb with a battery and a flashlight bulb. When the threaded part of the bulb base was connected to the smaller center contact, this completed the circuit and the bulb lit. You held a small piece of aluminum foil in your hand in a certain way that a barely noticeable squeeze completed the contact to light the bulb. Aluminum foil could also be placed in the mouth, but it's not very comfortable. In fact, as of 2013, you can still buy one - http://www.etgiftstore.com/trick-light-bulb-magic-detail.htm

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[–] PrometheusTree64 11 years ago

I actually had a toy Addams Family light bulb when I was a kid. It was a plastic light bulb with a battery and a flashlight bulb.

I did, too. You had to blow into it to get it to light up.

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Non-sequiturs are delicious.

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[–] Starduster 11 years ago

I believe that when the Addams family bulb became popular, the styles changed for the mass market.
The originals were sold primarily in magic shops and were not really a "toy". They were a magic prop. They had to look real and r were made of real glass. They were the ones that used the foil to contact across the base to light the bulb. What you would see is Fester pressing the foil on his tongue against the bulb (although we didn't actually see what was going on in his mouth of course. The bulb could also light up in your hand with a piece of concealed foil.

The "problem" was that as a "toy" they didn't want the bulb to be made of glass so it was chanced to plastic. They also didn't want the bulb to be screwed into an ordinary light socket, so the base was changed as well.
The "pressure switch" that you described would work with the bulb in your mouth but not in your hand.

There are actually "real" ones available today. here is one place to get them:
http://www.etgiftstore.com/trick-light-bulb-magic-detail.htm

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[–] cwoliver-1 11 years ago

Here's where you guys are going wrong. Neither of these were "tricks". Fester actually did light the bulb and Morticia really did blow smoke out her ears. So if you're looking for the "trick", for the wires or tubes, you'll never find them. In fact, I think they'd be a bit insulted that you'd accuse them of trickery. To light that bulb and blow that smoke required the skills of a professional and I think they'd be more than a bit sad by your cynical accusations. And don't get me started on grandmama's knife throwing!

The Addams Family - don'cha love 'em.

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[–] beatlepat 9 years ago

Really? I bet you still wonder how grownups got your nose.

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