1950's or 1960s Stack Washer and Dryers?

[propmaster]

Hello,

My friendly local appliance store guys suggested I post here. I am a prop master at a regional theater and we are doing a show that takes place in a 1960s New York basement apartment. The designer has requested a STACKING washer/dryer combo because there is very limited space to fit all of the appliances we need on stage. The guys I talked to said this isnt actually period and they would be side by side. I was just wondering if anyone has any sort of research or actual units that they could link to me for research purposes. I know the odds of me finding any of these to actually buy is slim to none, but I was hoping if I could get some solid research I could mock up something that works. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[pulltostart]

Westinghouse offered their Space Mates as early as 1958.  They could be installed as a stack or side-by-side.

 

lawrence

 

[jeb]

stacking westinghouse

I have a set in Mansfield Ohio like the ones in the picture. They are not matching (one is pink the other is aqua) but they are stacked and hooked up and working. If you want to see them in person or maybe rent them message me. Jeff

 

[combo52]

In 1960

There were at least 7 or 8 brands of Combination Washer-Dryers on the market and while these combination units were never as popular as separate side by side W&Ds, they were far more popular than the Westinghouse Space-Mate machines which came out in the form shown in 1957 and were built through 1963 and in 1964 they became larger and looked different.

 

[toploader55]

What year was Speed Queen's Stack that their top load washer tilted out ?

Was that McGraw Edison or the later fate before Alliance ?

 

[rp2813]

I Would Question the Designer

When I think of a basement apartment, a washer and dryer don't come to mind.   Most apartment buildings only offer a common laundry room. 

 

Unless the machines factor into the plot line somehow, or if the apartment is supposed to be new construction or have had a lavish '60s makeover, I don't think it's necessary to include them at all. 

 

Also, assuming it's just your average apartment in an older building, the refrigerator wouldn't likely be from the 1960s.   Models from the late '40s and '50s often show up on craigslist, and would have typically been found in apartments from coast to coast well into the '80s -- even today a lot of them are still surviving in such environments.  A good rule of thumb for the average apartment fridge circa 1960 would be, if it has more than one door and no rounded edges, it's too new.

 

Late '40s and early '50s GE and Hotpoints show up on craigslist on a fairly regular basis, and non-working ones of all makes can be had for cheap or even free.

 

[combo52]

Top Load Speed Queen Stack

Are from 1986-8, differently before Alliance, probably under Raythrons ownership.

 

[gyrafoam]

Those Westinghouse units were typical of machines from that era. You practically need an Erickson Sky-Crane to move them they are so heavy. I think maybe Kim up in Michigan has a pink set.

 

[frigilux]

And there you are, Jessica; you get laundry appliance info and set design critique in one convenient stop, LOL.

 

We tend to be a passionate group.  The knowledge of minutiae concerning appliances among the AW crowd is almost beyond belief.  If a kitchen or laundry set appears in a scene in a TV show or film, someone here is certain to screenshot it to the site for a complete go-over.  "It's set in 1964, but that's obviously a 1965 washer.  Brand X moved the water level control over the the left side of the console that year!" Seriously, many here can recite model numbers and even parts numbers from memory.

 

Good luck with your quest.  We love follow-up, so if you wind up procuring a stacking pair--or, better yet, making a mock-up laundry stack for the set--snap a photo and post it here.  Take care!

 

[propmaster]

Thanks everyone for your input! As to the need for the washer/dryer, they actually hide a heroin filled doll inside the washer and talk about it, which is the reason we have to have one. I have been in contact with Jeff about his pair. I'll come back here if I have any more questions!

 

[ken]

Putting on a performance of Wait Until Dark?

 

[turquoisedude]

Ah, but that was a Westy Slant-Front in Wait Until Dark and no dryer... LOL 

 

[propmaster]

Yup! Wait Until Dark it is. Its a beast of a show. The movie did have a Slant Front but the designer wants to go with a different style because of space limitations.

 

[yogitunes]

why not something like this?

http://nwct.craigslist.org/app/5882387973.html

 

[toploader55]

That machine has been for sale for ever.

What's the dealy with that ? Anyone here pursue it and find out what the story is on that machine ???

 

[sbond22]

they actually hide a heroin filled doll inside

I'll supply a washer if you'll leave the doll inside when you send it back. HaHa!