Radios in TV and Film

May 15, 2023

As a radio collector, it is always fun to get a sighting of a vintage radio in a television show or a movie. My interest started when I purchased a Zenith from an Australian prop house which was purported to be in the new Elvis movie. Sure enough, it appeared on screen, much to my joy, delight, and unbridled pride, at the 30 minute mark.

Here it is in the movie:

And here it is on my shelf.

Soon after, I came across a pink 1956 Motorola which the seller on eBay described as the Goodfellas radio. I had the same model, also in pink, but had watched the movie, many times, long before I had an interest in radios. But there it was on youtube, in the classic shower scene when Ray Liotta finds out, via the news being broadcast on the Motorola, about the heist at the airport.

“Jimmy!!!” He screams.

Now the radio is nearly 20 years older than the time when this took place.

But it is still very cool.

Here’s the youtube video.

And here’s my radio.

When you are a collector, you start seeing radios everywhere.

But what is really touching is that your friends and relatives, do too.

My niece Elena sent me these screen captures from The Wonderful Mrs Maisel.

The first, in the background, is an 1952 General Electric 517 F. A fairly common radio. If you have one, I’d like to buy it.

And the second, in the same show, is a 1956 RCA 8C7A.

These, and others, are used as pieces in order to reinforce the period. They are all great. But last Sunday, I managed to make a very cool and I believe, unique sighting- a modern day radio collector being depicted in a tv show!

Those of you who are fans of Succession, will recognize Shiv. The scene is in Shiv and Tom’s townhouse. And there, on shelves in the back, sit old vintage radios.

It is a lousy pic but I think I recognize the 1959 GE 914B.

Can anyone help identify more?

Do you have your own sightings?

Please email info@justsomeradios.com