One of the things remarkable to me is Carroll O'Connor doing a one sided conversation on a telephone prop so perfectly. Also, Edith knowing just what to do without flinching. The acting was perfect.
I remember this episode. Later, the funeral director (Whitehead) is telling Archie about the different caskets available, which were all too expensive for Archie’s taste. He then asked Whitehead if he had any used caskets for sale. 😂
This episode is as close to perfect as you can get. Unbelievably well written. Archie’s slow burn and the tension ratcheting up as the show rolled on, the numerous one-sided phone calls, the negotiations with Whitehead, Mike finding the free Potters Field burial option. It’s all just so good, clever and downright funny. My folks were in funeral service and just loved this episode. Thanks for posting the clip.
The writers used every cliche regarding death and funerals throughout this episode. Once Mike finds Oscar dead, it starts. Archie, of course, is concerned about getting the dead cousin out of his attic and buried. His biggest worry is, who is going to pay for it? Whitehead comes to sell Archie on the complete burial. The price is all Archie cares about and Whitehead just doesn't get it. Then neighbors and long last family show up. How many funerals do you see that happen? Of course the union guy says the department will turn out, they got it in their contract, half day for funerals. Again, so realistic. The Reverend Fletcher, Feltcher (whatever) shows up and not knowing Oscar wants to prepare a eulogy. Again that is so realistic as plenty of people who pass are eulogized by a pastor who has no idea who the dead person was. The writers took on a subject that in 1971, was never talked about on TV. Yet, using humor, they were able to get right to the heart of death and funerals. As Whitehead says, "Funerals are for the living". Yes they are, and All In The Family hit every note perfectly to show us why that statement is so true.
Am wondering if Jean Stapleton utilized her Christian Science background in having Edith remain so calm in that scene (since persons of that faith don't believe in the reality of evil, illness or death)?
What made that scene perfect was how Archie wants to tell Edith that Oscar is dead by being a calm, caring man. He does something we rarely see, he actually holds Edith's arms and lowers his voice to tell Edith the very sad news. Edith of course ruins the moment by saying, "Oscar is dead..." Again, genius writing; the moment a person has to tell someone a loved one has passed and how they go about doing it is examined here. The results are not quite what is expected though.
I thought it might have been diarrhea since he ate all the prunes and was going to the bathroom so much. Severe diarrhea can cause dehydration and that throws the body's systems out of kilter.
"Potter's field" is of Biblical origin (see Matthew 27:3-27:8 in the New Testament of the Bible), referring to Akeldama (meaning field of blood in Aramaic), stated to have been purchased after Judas Iscariot's suicide by the chief priests of Jerusalem with the coins that had been paid to Judas for his identification of Jesus. The priests are stated to have acquired it for the burial of strangers, criminals, and the poor, the coins paid to Judas being considered blood money. Prior to Akeldama's use as a burial ground, it had been a site where potters collected high-quality, deeply red clay for the production of ceramics, thus the name potters' field. --- Ref. Wikipedia
This comedy show didn't shy away from death. Cousin Oscar was the first to go. Then, there was some gang member named Paul Benjamin that was killed in a car explosion. There was this old man that Archie wanted to do business with over some invention. The old man died on the Bunker's couch. They went to the funeral for Edith's lesbian cousin. Archie s friend from work, Stretch Cunningham goes. Then, Edith loses her friend Beverly LaSalle. The last season as All in the Family, Edith goes to her Aunt Rose's funeral by herself. Lastly, Edith dies on Archie Bunker's Place. Wow, what a death toll.
Edith had better grammar early on. "Oscar's dead, isn't he?" Later, she would have said "... ain't he?" "Terlit" for toilet, "earl" for oil. She remained intelligent in spite of paradoxically not appearing to be at first impression; she just became a bit more over-the-top provincial later. Still of great substance and wisdom behind her often seeming ditziness and naivete.
This was a funny one all the way thru. Just Archie finding out Oscar was visiting, along with outrageous shopping list he left Edith (that Archie read), was hilarious. Then, Whitehead the funeral director, shows up at Archie's house and starts trying to sell Archie funeral plans when Archie wants "dirt cheap, Whitehead, dirt cheap!"
If I had to go and knew when it was coming I’d died in Archie’s house too, the thought of him being frustrated and angry about dealing with it would make the impossible impending end so bearable
I don’t think his ghost would be there as there’s no strong attachment to this house - according to ghost folk-lore and The Ghost Whisperer series. But I could be mistaken.
In season, one Mike’s hippies’s friends come to visit where the young married couple comes in. Archie won’t let them stay. You can see it at the end of that episode two quite clearly.
I remember in a later years episode when Edith and Archie and Stephanie were going to visit Mike and Gloria in California, Stephanie acted like she didn't want to go to California so Archie told her if wants to stay home make certain the lock to the attic is licked night and day because what is in there you don't know won't hurt you!
One of the things remarkable to me is Carroll O'Connor doing a one sided conversation on a telephone prop so perfectly. Also, Edith knowing just what to do without flinching. The acting was perfect.
Incomparable acting - hard to believe he was turned down for other roles and worked as an occasional character actor.
Hes got relations in 16 cities, hes gotta pick my attic to die in 🤣
I remember this episode. Later, the funeral director (Whitehead) is telling Archie about the different caskets available, which were all too expensive for Archie’s taste. He then asked Whitehead if he had any used caskets for sale. 😂
or any demos or fleet jobs.....buying caskets should be like buying a car....LOL
"You want something modestly priced?"
"Cheap Whitehead!"
I love how Edith can read Archie like a book. They were the calm and sensible ones in this scene.
Edith was actually the most calm and sensible of the four. Archie and Mike were too temperamental, Gloria was often a whining scaredy cat.
Yeah it's almost real.
@@nassauguy48 Gloria was always obnoxious. I thought this was poor acting for this part by her also.
When the lady runs in crying, hugs Archie. He says, Who the Hell Are You? 😂😂
This episode is as close to perfect as you can get. Unbelievably well written. Archie’s slow burn and the tension ratcheting up as the show rolled on, the numerous one-sided phone calls, the negotiations with Whitehead, Mike finding the free Potters Field burial option. It’s all just so good, clever and downright funny.
My folks were in funeral service and just loved this episode. Thanks for posting the clip.
The writers used every cliche regarding death and funerals throughout this episode. Once Mike finds Oscar dead, it starts. Archie, of course, is concerned about getting the dead cousin out of his attic and buried. His biggest worry is, who is going to pay for it? Whitehead comes to sell Archie on the complete burial. The price is all Archie cares about and Whitehead just doesn't get it. Then neighbors and long last family show up. How many funerals do you see that happen? Of course the union guy says the department will turn out, they got it in their contract, half day for funerals. Again, so realistic. The Reverend Fletcher, Feltcher (whatever) shows up and not knowing Oscar wants to prepare a eulogy. Again that is so realistic as plenty of people who pass are eulogized by a pastor who has no idea who the dead person was. The writers took on a subject that in 1971, was never talked about on TV. Yet, using humor, they were able to get right to the heart of death and funerals. As Whitehead says, "Funerals are for the living". Yes they are, and All In The Family hit every note perfectly to show us why that statement is so true.
Archie hangs up the phone, "You crumb..."
For someone who flies off the handle Edith is probably the most levelheaded of the bunch.
Am wondering if Jean Stapleton utilized her Christian Science background in having Edith remain so calm in that scene (since persons of that faith don't believe in the reality of evil, illness or death)?
Funny how Edith says “Oscar is dead, isn’t he?” Usually, she’d use “ain’t.”
What made that scene perfect was how Archie wants to tell Edith that Oscar is dead by being a calm, caring man. He does something we rarely see, he actually holds Edith's arms and lowers his voice to tell Edith the very sad news. Edith of course ruins the moment by saying, "Oscar is dead..." Again, genius writing; the moment a person has to tell someone a loved one has passed and how they go about doing it is examined here. The results are not quite what is expected though.
2:42 Love the boom mike! Ahh, the good 'ol days! ❤👍
I saw that too.
That's live taping for you.
Saw it as well before checking comments
@@timepoet77 They can still do re-shoots.
There's a live audience right? Who are they? Do they pay to get in?
This was so wrong and so funny. It happens. Gloria screamed when the phone rang, and i lol’d!
Edith shoots straight as an arrow lol
You can see the boom microphone in the air just after the phone rings at 2:44 … not the first time this happened in this show.
I love Mike losing it but telling "you women" to not get hysterical!
And he was supposed to be the big liberal.
@@nassauguy48 One of Mike's weak points as a liberal is he can sometimes be sexist or at least "traditional" about his marriage.
I think Oscar probably died of a heart attack. From the way he was described early in the episode, he didn't live the healthiest lifestyle.
He died of bad feet.
@@BlackNightJack Oh, yes, that's right. He was always complaining that his feet were killing him.
@@PTSmash 😁 Nothing on TV will ever match All in the Family ever again!
@@PTSmash 😂😂
I thought it might have been diarrhea since he ate all the prunes and was going to the bathroom so much. Severe diarrhea can cause dehydration and that throws the body's systems out of kilter.
Notice at 3:59 Archie's shirt is buttoned at the top.
As a teen this episode was a learning experience for me. I learned what Potters Field is.
"Potter's field" is of Biblical origin (see Matthew 27:3-27:8 in the New Testament of the Bible), referring to Akeldama (meaning field of blood in Aramaic), stated to have been purchased after Judas Iscariot's suicide by the chief priests of Jerusalem with the coins that had been paid to Judas for his identification of Jesus. The priests are stated to have acquired it for the burial of strangers, criminals, and the poor, the coins paid to Judas being considered blood money. Prior to Akeldama's use as a burial ground, it had been a site where potters collected high-quality, deeply red clay for the production of ceramics, thus the name potters' field. --- Ref. Wikipedia
This comedy show didn't shy away from death. Cousin Oscar was the first to go. Then, there was some gang member named Paul Benjamin that was killed in a car explosion. There was this old man that Archie wanted to do business with over some invention. The old man died on the Bunker's couch. They went to the funeral for Edith's lesbian cousin. Archie s friend from work, Stretch Cunningham goes. Then, Edith loses her friend Beverly LaSalle. The last season as All in the Family, Edith goes to her Aunt Rose's funeral by herself. Lastly, Edith dies on Archie Bunker's Place. Wow, what a death toll.
Made me remember the _Fawlty Towers_ episode "The Kippers and the Corpse." BTW, boom mic at 2:44!
Edith always seems to guess Archie's surprises
Did anyone notice the microphone hanging in scene ….when Edith told the family to cal the doctor? 😂🤣😂
yes....but you wouldnt have seen it when shown on tv
You can tell it's still an early episode, Edith isn't quite herself yet.
Yes, in the early episodes, she was cynical and often rough edged.
Edith had better grammar early on. "Oscar's dead, isn't he?"
Later, she would have said "... ain't he?"
"Terlit" for toilet, "earl" for oil.
She remained intelligent in spite of paradoxically not appearing to be at first impression; she just became a bit more over-the-top provincial later. Still of great substance and wisdom behind her often seeming ditziness and naivete.
This was a funny one all the way thru. Just Archie finding out Oscar was visiting, along with outrageous shopping list he left Edith (that Archie read), was hilarious. Then, Whitehead the funeral director, shows up at Archie's house and starts trying to sell Archie funeral plans when Archie wants "dirt cheap, Whitehead, dirt cheap!"
Not shown here, but when Archie's on the phone with Little Debbie Marie.
If I had to go and knew when it was coming I’d died in Archie’s house too, the thought of him being frustrated and angry about dealing with it would make the impossible impending end so bearable
I like you can see the Mike when Archie goes to the phone. Lol
Great sitcom.
The best sitcom ever!!
LOL at 2:45 the microphone hangs down in the scene.
Classic! 🤣🤣
“Calm down you two women!!!!”
O'Connor and meat head had the best facial expressions
Well....sat on my face again....lol
2:46 You can see the mic following Archie.
Now they have ghost Oscar in the house now😱
I don’t think his ghost would be there as there’s no strong attachment to this house - according to ghost folk-lore and The Ghost Whisperer series. But I could be mistaken.
It would be great to watch the full episodes for a change.
@@lilajagears8317 What we used to do in the old days,BUY IT!
These sitcoms are funny every time I watch them
2:44
The first time that I've seen the mic on this show.
Left hand side.
In season, one Mike’s hippies’s friends come to visit where the young married couple comes in. Archie won’t let them stay. You can see it at the end of that episode two quite clearly.
One thing I never noticed until now, from 2:44 to 2:47 , you can see a microphone at the top of the screen come into view for a few moments.
Well, he sat on my face again.
😆
Where Oscar. He hasn’t moved 😂😂😂
All in the Family and Sanford and Son Was The Funniest Sitcoms 🤣 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Ever
not going to mention the mic over Mike and Arche at 3:44 or anything... nope not sayin a word
😂
Edith is pretty smart
Forget about moving the body. Move the mic out of frame.
4:39, whoever was operating the mic boom let it into the frame.
Oh well. Nobody's perfect.
the top of your tv would have cut it off
Classic ❤️❤️❤️❤️
2:44-2:47 you can see the mic
Possession is nine-tenths of the law
Actually, whatever happened to the attic? In later episodes, when guests were visiting, somebody ended up sleeping downstairs.
There were occasional references in later seasons to Cousin Oscar having died in the attic.
Archie figured that the attic was for storage, not as another bedroom!!
Sad episode of the other family member
By the way!! Oscar,s middle intial was M for Meyer!! OSCAR MEYER BUNKER!!
overhead mic in the shot at 2:45
If they showed Oscar alive, J. Pat O’Malley or Hal Smith would have played the role well.
I've Always Loved Sally Struthers Gloria Bunker ❤ She was a Cutie 💓 Back Then at That Time
Oscar is a stiff
Ahhz -cah
I remember in a later years episode when Edith and Archie and Stephanie were going to visit Mike and Gloria in California, Stephanie acted like she didn't want to go to California so Archie told her if wants to stay home make certain the lock to the attic is licked night and day because what is in there you don't know won't hurt you!
Nice connection. The ghost of Cousin Oscar was going to haunt poor little Stephanie 🤣
Archie used the same story he told Gloria as a young girl when she wouldn't go somewhere!
An easy way not to hire an actor.
ruclips.net/video/P9fB94iAcxo/видео.html
A boom mike over the head of Archie as he goes to answer the phone.
Isn't this show great!?