Case Files, Crosswords and Corpses

"Well it says in your report, 'He was hit in the face with some thing, some kinda weird thing, that blew his face clean off'"

Its the little things that count, and often the most fun, enjoyable props are the ones you take for granted when watching a no-budget comedy set in 70s America. They are the un-sung heroes, pivotal "plot" devices, hilarious set-dressing, and quite often invaluable to an extra who doesn't have any lines, but would like to look busy and  have something to hold on to.

Case file cover

Miscellaneous contents

The PCPD case filing system was designed quite early on so that when shooting fragments from different episodes, there would always be the correct case file on hand, filled with correct and appropriate contents. Most of which would never actually be seen on film.

Militia Malone's artistic rendering of a kumquat

And of course as different characters entered new stages of the investigation, more evidence would be added.

The crossword clue from Doyle's living room

And when it came to building a full-sized, deliberately unrealistic corpse, no expense was spent. Many cardboard boxes were liberated, abused and hewn into a new and glorious form.

The highly detailed stand-in for Doyle would mean that the actor Alan Wadlan wouldn't have to spend many hours lying across a very uncomfortable brick hearth.

Confusion

Realisation

Ambition

Success!

Among the other props in Doyle's flat were photos of Crash and Burn, a vintage Radiogram, and a collection of photos of Doyle throughout his career.

Doyle's favourite LP, and a police camera

An official PCPD fingerprinting kit

Doyle's head fragments and photos of his career

Doyle's memoir of the time he punched Hitler to death

In every scene, there is a unique and unsual prop, or piece of set dressing, even the detritus that is needed to fill criminal dens, and sordid lairs are carefully crafted (often during the wee hours of the night) to be amusing and fit into the world of Patriot City.

Can you be the ultimate fan and spot them all?

More blogs coming soon...