Woy Woy Little Theatre

Wait Until Dark

Props & Costuming
A Compilation of 1960s Culture and Technology

Zac Boyd
2016

Contents
Fridges (Appendix A) ............................................................................................................................... 2
Photography (Appendix B) ...................................................................................................................... 2
Furniture/Lights (Appendix C) ................................................................................................................. 2
Dolls (Appendix D)................................................................................................................................... 3
Washer (Appendix E) .............................................................................................................................. 3
Sight Aids (Appendix F) ........................................................................................................................... 3
Accessories/Misc. (Appendix G).............................................................................................................. 3
Fuse box .............................................................................................................................................. 3
Vase ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
Telephone ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Steel safe ............................................................................................................................................. 4
Venetian blinds ................................................................................................................................... 4
Windows (barred) ............................................................................................................................... 4
Costuming ............................................................................................................................................... 4
Susy (Appendix H) ............................................................................................................................... 4
Sam (Appendix I) ................................................................................................................................. 4
Roat, Mike, Carlino (Appendix J) ......................................................................................................... 4
Gloria (Appendix K) ............................................................................................................................. 5
Patrol Officers (Appendix L) ................................................................................................................ 5
Appendix A .............................................................................................................................................. 7
Appendix B ............................................................................................................................................ 10
Appendix C ............................................................................................................................................ 14
Appendix D ............................................................................................................................................ 21
Appendix E ............................................................................................................................................ 23
Appendix F ............................................................................................................................................ 24
Appendix G ............................................................................................................................................ 25
Appendix H ............................................................................................................................................ 28
Appendix I ............................................................................................................................................. 29
Appendix J ............................................................................................................................................. 30
Appendix K ............................................................................................................................................ 33
Appendix L............................................................................................................................................. 34

Fridges (Appendix A)
Due to the lower economic bracket of the family, the fridge could be from the 50s. The 50s
marked a rise on fridges being sold to middle class families, specifically housewives. With
this in mind because Wait Until Dark is set in 1966, it is not farfetched that while something
attributed to the middle class in the 50s then becomes lower class in the 60s, especially with
advancing technology. Aesthetically the fridges were a rigid or block shape and matched the
kitchen colours, commonly pastel shades such as pink or green.
Fridges from the 1960s took on a more futuristic look to fit in with the innovations of the
period. Curved edges and chrome handles were keys features of fridges of this time. Brands
include Corsley, Westinghouse, Frigidaire and Admiral. Youngs film based on the play
featured a no brand fridge that was white with chrome handles. Regardless of brand, the
integral feature of the fridges are the backing lights, of which most of these brands had.

Photography (Appendix B)
Common cameras of the 60s include the Kodak Automatic Retina, Traid Fotron and Polaroid
Model 900. In particular with Sam being in the business of photography he would own
additional items such as a flash set, lighting rig and baggage for his equipment. Video
recording equipment (if owned) included a stand or tripod, video camera (Sony CVC 2000
for example), microphone and the necessary wires and leads.

Furniture/Lights (Appendix C)
Tables varied in materials from plain wood to Formica laminate to chromium. Others were
combinations with a wooden frame with metallic surface. In the case of the Hendrixs it would
most likely be wood due to the cheaper price. Chairs were made of similar materials, but
included coloured cushions, most often a contrast to the colour of the table. E.g. red table,
blue chair cushions. Lounges were commonly either velvet or vinyl. Colours varied, but
would match the general tone of the room.
The clock above the washer would be made from basic materials and lack any decorative
features. One such example would be the IBM Traditional Clock.
Drawers are of no particular extravagance, made up of plain timber. Colour could vary, but
the basic wood finish would suit the economic bracket of the Hendrixs.
Like the drawers, the filing cabinets would not possess any luxury. Metal filing cabinets
would suit the needs of Sam more, due to their cheaper price compared to their wooden
counterparts, as well as lasting longer.

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A range of lights are utilised in the play, from Sams photography rig to the table lamps. A
fantastic source of lights form this era can be seen via Youngs adaption of the play, due to
the close proximity in which it was released.

Dolls (Appendix D)
Dolls varied in materials from cotton, plastic, china and vinyl. Features of the doll included
long hair in a range of colours but normally sandy brown brunette. Eyebrows, coloured
eyes and lips were also included on the face of the doll.

Washer (Appendix E)
Washers ranged from top loading automatic to semi-automatic machines. Features of a 60s
washer included a bulky build with two knobs to control the cycle. Low priced washers
included the Rolls Razor washer, which were twin tub. A twin tub washer would most likely
be used in the play due to the cheap cost of the machine due to other variations. This type of
washer was popular during the 60s because of its price. An even cheaper washer would be
a non-automatic, however this would have needed to survive from pre WWII.

Sight Aids (Appendix F)

A long wooden cane with a hook handle would best serve the needs of Susy, considering
her lower class status. While the laser cane was also developed during the 60s, due to it
being a new development this technology would be outside the price range of the lower
class.

Accessories/Misc. (Appendix G)
Fuse box
Fuses were used in American buildings built prior to 1960. The boxes contained two fuse
blocks that could be removed, and four screw in fuses.

Vase
There was a whole variety of deigns for vases, and yet not specific look to define a 60s vase.
Glass was the most popular material for the vase to be made out of, but ranged in shapes
and colours.

Telephone
The Model 500 telephone made by Western Electric was the iconic phone from the 50s-80s,
with some models still working today because of their reliability. Key features of this
telephone include a rotary style of dialling pad and movable corded unit. While number pads

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were introduced in 1963, many households, such as the lower class Hendrix, would not have
made the switch from a rotary style phone due to expenses.

Steel safe
Safes were huge chunks of heavy metal, most with combination locks or key locks. No digital
safes were available during this time.

Venetian blinds
Venetian blinds are timeless in their design and therefore have seen little variance over their
history. Both aluminium and wooden venetian blinds are viable for this era, although it
should be noted it was only in 1946 that aluminium venetians became widely available, but
were also cheaper than the wooden counterparts.

Windows (barred)
The purpose of barring windows were for safety reasons. Especially in neighbourhoods such
as Greenwich Village which could attract thieves, barred windows were a key feature of
brownstone apartments such as the one in the play. The bars themselves were iron or steel,
and would vertically run down the window frames.

Costuming
Susy (Appendix H)
Susys costuming is best defined as conservative. Her fashion reflects the 50s/early 60s
rather than the progressive later period of the time, such as a plain blouse or over-blouse. In
Knotts 67 film adaption, Susys costume includes a grey jacket, light beige turtle neck
sweater, long sleeved pink shirt, and a beige over the knee skirt. While trousers were
becoming popular with women during the 60s, a blouse or skirt is much more appropriate for
Susy to reflect her conservative look. Equally as important are the colours: white, grey,
beige, black are all conservative colours, whereas the deep, rich colours of purple and red
that were popular at the time, tended to favour a more modern woman.

Sam (Appendix I)
Sam has options for his costuming although it does centre on a working class theme. A
professional, clean look should be maintained regardless of costuming choices. Trench
coats, blazers, jackets, long sleeved collared shirts, ties and business pants would all
comfortably suit Sam. However, caution should be made to not make his clothes luxurious
due to his lower class social standing.

Roat, Mike, Carlino (Appendix J)

All three of these sinister villains fall into the same costuming bracket. Dark clothing to match
their mischievous personality is vital. These characters costumes are flexible in the regard

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to if it is black, it can pass. Notably however, giving Roat a noticeable piece of costuming
such as a leather jacket, trench coat and/or glasses to signify his leadership of the trio, and
overall mastermind of the plan, is important. Notably the round rim style glasses are
synonymous with both the 60s era and a villainous vibe. Hats can also be used to enrich the
60s vibe, with either or all of the trio sporting fedora style hats, again in black.

Gloria (Appendix K)
The young Gloria is synonymous with youth, innocence and helpfulness. Plaid skirts and
dresses are some of the more common interpretations of Glorias costume design, as it
replicates her school girl age. Plaid was without a doubt one of, if not the most frequent
design of school girl clothing during the 60s, therefore any dress or skirt should be in this
pattern. A note of interest is that miniskirts were developed during the late 60s. These were
popular with young girls as it reflected their childish behaviour. However, it is important to
note that the mini skirt was a new development of this time and the prices may have been
beyond the range of Glorias family (considering they are living in the same, lower class
apartment, as Gloria).

Patrol Officers (Appendix L)

The New York Police Department of the 60s was easily identifiable by their signature
collared black wool trench coats. These coats were double buttoned, with little other feature
save for the metallic NYPD badge on the breast of the coat. Gloves and shoes were worn
but were largely basic and plain. Their hats are comparable to modern day police caps, as
they have not altered much over time.

Appendix A

Figure 1 Admiral fridge

Figure 2 Westinghouse fridge

Figure 3 Frigidaire fridge

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Appendix B

Figure 4 Kodak Automatic Retina

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Figure 5 Polaroid Model 900

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Figure 6 Yashica flash set

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Figure 7 Sony CVC 2000 set, including tripod and microphone

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Appendix C

Figure 8 Contrasting Formica table/chair set

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Figure 9 Formica table set

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Figure 10 IBM Traditional Clock

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Figure 11 Safety Lamp, part of Sams rig.

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Figure 12 Table lamp

Figure 13 Wall mounted light

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Figure 14 A Tiffany Chandelier

Figure 15 Wall mounted lamp with shade

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Figure 16 A paper globe style light

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Appendix D

Figure 17 Two plastic dolls

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Figure 18 A "Knickerbocker" raggedy Ann doll from the 60s

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Appendix E

Figure 19 A Rolls Razor twin washer

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Appendix F

Figure 20 An Assistive wooden cane for the visually impaired.

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Appendix G

Figure 21 An Edison fuse box used in American buildings. This type of fuse box was used in many American buildings.

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Figure 22 A Western Electric Model 500 (rotary dial) telephone

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Figure 23 A Mosler steel floor safe.

Figure 24 Venetian blinds (aluminium)

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Appendix H

Figure 25 Hepburn in the 1967 film adaption of Wait Until Dark

Figure 26 A variety of female fashion in the 50s-60s

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Appendix I

Figure 27 A fashion photographer from the 60s

Figure 28 Efrem Zimbalist Jr as Sam in the 1967 film adaption

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Appendix J

Figure 29 A Biker's leather jacket, popular in the 60s

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Figure 30 The round style glasses, commonly attributed to music legend John Lennon, took a tremendous rise in popularity
due to the music star.

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Figure 31 Jack Weston in Knott's 1967 adaption, as Carlino.

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Appendix K

Figure 32 School girls of the 60s, showing off the popular plaid skirts of the time.

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Appendix L

Figure 33 New York Policemen in the 1960s. Key features of the attire include the double buttoned trench coat.