More motel TVs

[old_tv_nut]

These scans cover early B&W through color, so decided to post them here.

Notable:
A motel room with a Predicta;
A console in the coffee/gift shop;
A TV built into a dresser;
Photos of motel rooms with the TV operating, inlcuding one color set;
Dig those decorating fashions!

[bandersen]

Awesome

That reminds me of the sci-fi mini series "the lost room"

[old_tv_nut]

Zenith Motel in Canada..

Is that a Zenith TV in the Zenith Motel?

[Tubejunke]

Originally Posted by bandersen

Awesome

That reminds me of the sci-fi mini series "the lost room"

I've mentioned this story before on another thread, but here's this set again. A few years ago a guy was searching the country for one of these so that he could re-create the set from that show in his home I believe. Can you believe that? He wasn't a TV guy, he was a fan of this show which to this day I have never seen. Supposedly he wasn't having any luck locating on of these and I had a real nice one in working condition. He and a friend traveled almost non stop from Massachusetts to southern Virginia to seal up a deal I could not refuse. Must be nice to have the time, room, and money to take on such a project. Room is usually my biggest obstacle in this hobby. Sometimes, actually a lot through the years I have taken on way more TVs than I have room for, or a desire for, in order to save them and hopefully find a good home for them. U can't stand to see them heading for the landfill. The economy sort of stepped on my toes with that as old sets are a bit harder to get rid of these days, especially if you will not ship, which I won't. Too many nightmare stories on that topic!

[W3XWT]

TV's hidden in a dresser! My favorite on that was the Algonquin in New York! They were still hiding the TV (and minibar) as late as the early 1980's. Haven't been there in ages, alas. A standard of luxury rarely seen today.

[bandersen]

Originally Posted by Tubejunke

I've mentioned this story before on another thread, but here's this set again. A few years ago a guy was searching the country for one of these so that he could re-create the set from that show in his home I believe. Can you believe that?...

It was an interesting little 3 episode mini-series. I think it had a lot of potential for a full run but it wasn't picked up.

If anyone else wants to re-create the 'lost room', I have of those Motorolas looking for a new home

Wow! I did a little search and found this website detailing every object in the motel room.

[mstaton]

The Figueroa Hotel is still operating to this day in DT Los Angeles . Even that swimming pool is still there. You can see it on Google Earth.

[Electronic M]

Originally Posted by Tubejunke

I've mentioned this story before on another thread, but here's this set again. A few years ago a guy was searching the country for one of these so that he could re-create the set from that show in his home I believe. Can you believe that? He wasn't a TV guy, he was a fan of this show which to this day I have never seen. Supposedly he wasn't having any luck locating on of these and I had a real nice one in working condition. He and a friend traveled almost non stop from Massachusetts to southern Virginia to seal up a deal I could not refuse. Must be nice to have the time, room, and money to take on such a project. Room is usually my biggest obstacle in this hobby. Sometimes, actually a lot through the years I have taken on way more TVs than I have room for, or a desire for, in order to save them and hopefully find a good home for them. U can't stand to see them heading for the landfill. The economy sort of stepped on my toes with that as old sets are a bit harder to get rid of these days, especially if you will not ship, which I won't. Too many nightmare stories on that topic!

You ought to see it. The Lost Room and Warehouse 13 were my two favorite non-Anime programs that SyFy carried (until they droped anime and lost my viewership).

[old_tv_nut]

Here's a hard to read sign form a motel postcard -
the bottom blakc area says Zenith COLOR TV,
but I can't make out what it says in the upper black on yellow area.
Can anyone make it out, or has someone seen one of these and knows what it says?

[W3XWT]

In my college days (decades ago), one Friday night I rented a room in a fleabag motel, which actually had a coin-operated TV in it! It was a 19" B&W set, IIRC. There's a funny story related to it that I'll share with friends at ETF... One hint: No matter how active a ham radio operator you might be, don't get call letter license plates until after you're married! (Hadn't thought about that incident in ages!)

[egrand]

"Rooms With-Zenith Color TV"

I have worked in the hotel business for over 25 years, and I can tell you stories!

[ChrisW6ATV]

I remember in late 1983, the Motel 6 in Champaign, Illinois charged extra to use the TV, a 19-inch black-and-white set. For 75 cents a day, they would give you the key to the switch mounted in the side of the TV.