The BEWITCHED Major Appliance Inventory

[kenmore71]

During the past year, I have had a lot of time on my hands. One of the things that I have done is watch the entire series of "Bewitched" from beginning to end. All 254 episodes.

A little ways into the series, I really found myself being drawn to the major appliances that graced the Stephens' kitchen at 1164 Morning Glory Circle.

"Bewitched" aired on ABC beginning on September 9, 1964 and the last new episode aired on March 25, 1972.

Seasons 1 & 2 were filmed and broadcast in B & W, seasons 3 thru 8 were filmed and broadcast in color.
There were actually a significant number of major appliance shifts over the run of the show. I will attempt to outline my observations in this and several following posts.

Episodes 1 & 2 of season one have several scenes that were filmed in what is ostensibly a rented house that Darrin had lived in before he and Samantha got married. The kitchen of this home shows up in several prominent scenes.

The appliances in that kitchen are as follows:
Refrigerator: top freezer, shaded coppertone (unidentified manufacturer)
Cooktop: O'Keefe & Merritt, gas, coppertone
Ovens: shaded coppertone double ovens (unidentified manufacturer)
Washer: Maytag A900 in copper
Dryer: Maytag DG701 in copper
Dishwasher: Kenmore Portable (WCI) This dishwasher is been discussed extensively here at AW in thread #5168 from way back in 2006.

These episodes were filmed in Black and White.

Episode 1 was shot in earlt December of 1963 and episode 2 was shot in late summer of 1964.

There is a colorized version of these episodes that has colored these appliances in a dark green color-but not the later well-known "Avocado." That color is simply not possible given the colors being produced by appliance manufacturers in the US in the early 1960s. Given how these show up in B&W the only commercially available color they could be was some verson copper/coppertone/shaded coppertone

 

[kenmore71]

And on to 1164 Morning Glory Circle and the Flair Ranges

Samantha and Darrin's new home on Morning Glory Circle is somewhat famous for the stylized Frigidaire "Flair" ranges that graced the kitchen for the first 6 seasons.

There were actually 3 different Flair ranges that appear between the 3rd episode of season one and the end of season 6 in the spring of 1970. Somewhat oddly, there was a full-kitchen appliance model change about half-way through season two, and then again between seasons two and three. The last change was likely driven by the switch to color production and a desire to have all of the appliances in the same color (Sunny Yellow)

Range #1: Frigidaire Flair 1964 RCIH-645 (first seen in ep. 1-3, filmed late summer 1964)
Range #2: Frigidaire Flair 1965 RCI-645J (first seen in ep. 2-21, filmed 2-3-66)
Range #3: Frigidaire Flair 1966 RCI-645K, sunny yellow (first seen in ep. 3-1, filmed 7-11-66)

Below are the three different Flairs, in order:[this post was last edited: 4/12/2021-23:03]

 

[kenmore71]

On to refrigerators

The first refrigerator on Morning Glory Circle was a Frigidaire 1964 FD-14B-64 (first seen in ep. 1-3, last in ep. 2-17)

 

[kenmore71]

Refrigerator #2

The second refrigerator was a Frigidaire 1965 FD-14BJ (first seen in ep. 2-19)

 

[kenmore71]

Refrigerator #3

The third refrigerator arrived with season three in the fall of 1966. It was a Frigidaire 1966 FPI-14BK, in sunny yellow (first seen in ep. 3-1).

Since this one hung around for 4 full seasons, there are a lot of pictures of it.

 

[kenmore71]

Washer and Dryer set #1

The first set of laundry appliances appear only briefly in one episode of season one.
They are the (now) super-rare 1964 Frigidaire Custom Imperials:

Washer #1: Frigidaire 1964 WCI-64 (first seen in ep. 1-30)
Dryer #1: Frigidaire 1964 DCI-64 (first seen in ep. 1-30)

 

[kenmore71]

Washer and Dryer set #2

The second set appears for the first time about halfway through season 2 along with the change of the refrigerator and range.

They are:
Washer #2: Frigidaire 1966 WCIAK (first seen in ep. 2-23)
Dryer #2: Frigidaire 1966 DCIAK (first seen in ep. 2-23)

 

[kenmore71]

Washer and Dryer #3

For season three, a new set of Custom Imperial Frigidaires appear:

Washer #3: Frigidaire 1967 WCIL, sunny yellow (first seen in ep. 3-29)
Dryer #3: Frigidaire 1967 DCIL, sunny yellow (first seen in ep. 3-29)

These appear any number of times in seasons 3-6, but this one screen-shot is really clear.

 

[kenmore71]

Dishwasher #1

The first dishwasher on Morning Glory Circle is seen in episode 4 of season one. It was most likely a 1964 Frigidaire Imperial Spin-tube model (DW-IUH). There was very little significant change between the 1963 F-line and 1964 H-line dishwashers so it's hard to know for certain which machine this is. Since the house was equiped with other 1964 appliances, it's most likely from that year.[this post was last edited: 4/12/2021-21:42]

 

[kenmore71]

Dishwasher #2

The second dishwasher on Morning Glory Circle first appears in episode 23 of season two.

It is somewhat significant in that it is the first model year of the redesigned wash system that used a more traditional lower wash arm and central wash tower.

Given the panel, this should be a Frigidaire 1965 DW-IUJ. Identifying this through the service literature has been tricky, as I think there were errors in the photos used in the publication of the 1963-68 Tech-talk Digest.

Interestingly, I can see no evidence that this machine was ever changed out before the end of season 6 in the spring of 1970. [this post was last edited: 4/12/2021-20:44]

 

[kenmore71]

The Chest Freezer

For a very brief moment in one episode of season 4, we see Samantha and Endora pop INSIDE the closet that is adjacent to the kitchen outside door. The interior of this closet is HUGE! Among the contents of this room are a larger chest freezer of an unknown manufacturer.

 

[kenmore71]

Seasons 7 & 8

In the summer of 1970 there was a fire the set that destroyed much of the kitchen area of the set. This necessitated things being rebuilt and the replacement of all of the appliances. At this point, it would seem that the Stephens decided to add a breakfast room off of the back of the house. In the process, the wall where the Flair range stood was removed and a peninsula was installed that contained a gas cooktop. A new enclosure for dual wall ovens was constructed to the right of the kitchen sink.

The cooktop was a Tappan gas model T-17B in harvest gold (first seen in ep. 7-1).

 

[kenmore71]

Ovens

And here are the ovens.
I have not positively identified these as Tappan, but it seems likely that they are given the cooktop.[this post was last edited: 4/12/2021-21:12]

 

[steved]

Dishwasher

I think that General Motors would provide all 1964 models for the show, so the first Frigidaire dishwasher featured was probably a DW-IUH 1964 model. The next one was a DW-IUJ, the first year after spin-tube models. It was available in both under-counter and portable models. I'm not clear about what you mean about the panel being only on portable models. "K" and "L" models were essentially the same, with 1968 introducing the cycle indicator lights on the Custom Imperial models.
Thank you, Mark, for taking the time to show us these neat details!

 

[kenmore71]

Dishwasher #3

The seasons 7 & 8 dishwasher is a Mayag WU600 in Harvest Gold[this post was last edited: 4/12/2021-21:43]

 

[kenmore71]

Steve, the service literature is ambiguous about the difference between the 1963 and 1964 dishwasher models. There does seem to be an "F" series for 1963 and an "H" series for 1964. But there appears to be no difference between the two other than a different model designation:

 

[kenmore71]

Steve, to your second point, I don't have complete service literature on the K or L line dishwashers, only on the J line. I do have the 63-68 Digest version. The information that I'm posting in the scans below informs my post above asbout the second dishwasher that appeared halfway through season two.

However, in a careful study of the 1965 J-line full Tech-talk manual and parts list, I can see NO evidence of indicator lights on the Custom Imperial IUJ although the picture in the digest clearly shows them.

 

[kenmore71]

Refrigerator #4

The redesigned kitchen also contained a new refrigerator. This was a significant departure from the 3 Frigidaire models with bottom freezers that came before. It was a side-by-side in harvest gold. I have not been able to positively identify it. I can say with relative certainty that it is NOT a Frigidaire, Kenmore/Coldspot, or GE. Signs seem to point towards Gibson. I would love to see some promotional or service literature for a definitive answer.

I have included a close-up of the badge in the upper right-hand corner. It's distinctive, that's for certain![this post was last edited: 4/12/2021-23:13]

 

[kenmore71]

And finally...the "dirty laundry"

It is extremely curious that in seasons 7 & 8 the Stephens' kitchen does not contain a washing machine. Only a dryer. Yes, I looked. More than once.

The area near the side door that held a washer and dryer in seasons 1 thru 6 had been shrunk by season 7 so that there was only room for the dryer. Where is the washer? Who knows. I've never seen it.

The dryer is a Maytag center-dial DG-806 in shaded harvest gold. It is first glimpsed in episode 7-18.

 

[luxflairguy]

The refer "monogram" looks to be Gibson! Thanks for all your exhaustive research in to this fun fact filled kitchen!

 

[kevin313]

Bravo, Mark!!!

Now that's what I call research!

That was quite a job and the first time I've ever seen a season-by-season rundown of TV show appliances with such detail. Excellent work!

I also think the badge on that last refrigerator looks very Gibson to me.

Thanks so much!

 

[steved]

You are right

Mark the only difference between the “F” and “H” dishwasher models was a slight change in the timer dial and the motorized drain valve on the “H” model. I have the same TechTalk Digest and I agree that those pics are wrong. Seems like they updated all 4 appliances each time. The first dial is from an “F” Dishmobile and the second is from an “H” dishwasher.

 

[rp2813]

Well Mark, this research is an excellent example of a COVID silver lining.  It's interesting to see all of the changes that I had never taken notice of before.  I can't even remember the last time I watched the show.

 

I liked seeing Elizabeth Montgomery as a beautiful young woman in your posts of the early B&W episodes.  I wonder if those Frigidaire refrigerators were nicer than what she had IRL at home at the time.

 

The picture of -- I think -- Aunt Clara or Esmeralda at the sink is priceless.  I'm betting that second thoughts were being had regarding actual hand washing of the dishes in that scene.

 

There are two things that I find odd.  First, the stove-top coffee pots.  The earliest one looks like something you'd use when camping.  No automatics that I could see.  Second, why on earth didn't the set designers give Samantha a wall phone in the kitchen?  The model 500 desk set looks silly sitting on a kitchen counter.

 

[philcobendixduo]

Great job, Mark!

I, too, have been watching old t.v. shows on DVD and recently watched Bewitched.
I only have the seasons with Dick York.
I never cared for the Dick Sargent episodes -just wasn't the same "vibe" for me.
I often wondered if the Maytag washer and dryer in the early shows was the same set from "The Beverly Hillbillies". They look the same to me.
I always wondered why Samantha washed the dishes by hand when she had a dishwasher.
There were never any scenes of her loading/or unloading the dishwasher - just washing dishes in the sink!

 

[frigidareu]

The 1967 Frigidaire Custom Imperial washer and dryer are my "Dream Machines"! I couldn't wait to catch a glimps of those machines when I watched the show. Was very disappointed when they were suddenly replaced with the Maytags.

 

[iheartmaytag]

Yet here she is

She's a witch. She has all these nice appliances, and she used a diaper service.

 

[maytagbear]

I have heard.........

I may be wrong. Why ,,dishwashers and washers are not used "live" in film/TV, is the intake/drain noises.

Interesting thread, thank you for the resarch. I am a casual fan, not a major fan.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[DADoES]

 
I know a few people nowadays who have dishwashers and never use them.  Probably was more common in those years to run them only for special occasions.

 

[spiralator60]

Appliances in Film/TV

Hi Lawrence,

It is certainly true that the intake and drain noises are part of the reason dishwashers and washers in actual operation are not used much in filmed scenes, unless absolutely necessary. Let me share with you what I learned having once worked at a motion picture studio.

On a sound stage there are often microphones placed throughout the areas where the actors are present at different levels of height, to record spoken dialogue and sounds like the barking of a dog. It is not just for dramatic effect in a movie scene when someone yells "Quiet on the set!" These microphones, much more powerful than what we typically use in Zoom sessions, can easily and clearly pick up sounds other than what the script or director calls for. Extraneous sounds can often ruin a filming session, especially if this interferes with hearing or understanding what an actor is saying.

The Frigidaire agitation sound is a perfect example of this, with its unique thumping, even with a closed lid. With a microphone nearby, it can easily sound like a marching band is nearby. This is not to pick solely on Frigidaire, as other brands have and have had their own characteristic sounds, such as the loud clunk of the GE and the sharp off balance buzzer of the Kenmore/Lady Kenmore lines. It is true that these sounds can be muted or erased during post production, and the spoken lines added in later in the case of a filmed production.

However, in a production where a live audience is present during videotaping, this is an issue that is often avoided by having the appliance in the background, perhaps loaded but not started. We can all think of many sitcoms and movies, "I Love Lucy" and "Mr. Mom" for example, where the comedic effect of a washing machine gone awry was the product of the special effects team instead of the operation of the machine itself.

 

[gansky1]

Thank you for this, Mark.  It's thoroughly enjoyable.   This is one of the few shows that I will still turn on when I find it. I remember some of the nuances in the laundry nook, including the puzzling dryer-only kitchen.  I never caught the range and dishwasher differences in the early episodes, it's interesting to see them side by side now.  I always felt the sunny yellow years put the the "glory" in Morning Glory Circle.  

We may have to have a sub-thread on the smalls, cookware and accessories..