Barney Miller

[jtcarm]

Abe also has a meaty role in "The Godfather".

 

[GKC]

Today there is too much reliance on nudity, violence, and foul language to carry a show. The old ones relied on good writing and acting.

A show that was ground breaking at the time in its use of nudity was NYPD Blue. Of course, they didn't show frontal nudity, but ol' Andy Sipowicz showed his bare buns a number of times...and there were a few females showing skin too. While it was the first of its day, it doesn't hold a candle to what you can see on network TV these days.

 

[crazyphil]

I watched too and noticed how the actors "carried" their guns and most could not have drawn them if they had to. Barney's gun was worn almost over the middle of his back.

Reading some more about the holsters on Barney Miller,
on another forum someone said:

An old trick used by NYPD a left handed Detective (Barney Miller) would wear a right handed holster at 7 or 8 O'Clock on left side
with butt forward to be drawn with palm out.

Seems like a lot of trouble to avoid buying a left handed holster. Maybe they were hard to come by in those days.

Others said Barney Miller was the most authentic cop show
on tv.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Two quick observations from an old cop from the 1970's thru 1990's:

1. On TV shows everything portrayed is for dramatic effect. Whether or not a firearm, holster, or method of carry is authentic or realistic in actual use is secondary to the dramatic effect.

2. Within days after something being portrayed on a popular TV cop show we always saw a young cop or two trying to copy it in real life.

My conclusion is that life will mimic art with some frequency.

 

[Road Rat]

The prop people were not too concerned about guns and holsters on Barney Miller. In a couple of episodes Barney would go into his office with a black holster and come out later with a brown one!!!

I just finished watching all of the shows a couple of months ago. I found out how the series ended !!

 

[Old cop]

As a leftie I usually got the bottom of the barrel holster from the property clerk not b/c she was mean, but b/c that's all they had. A little shoe polish and hard work made it come back to life.

 

[olskool]

I remember the last show, they were moving out of the old building into a new one. when they all left barney was the last man out and he looked around turned out the lights and closed the door. I told my wife I felt like crying, she laughed. yea barney miller was one of my favorite shows,,,,,,

 

[Dvan34]

Thanks! I loved Barney Miller. I had almost forgotten about the program.

 

[les.b]

Yes, I remember the show, but haven't seen it in years. Maybe I'll try rewatching some episodes. I seem to remember that the concensus back then was that it was pretty true to life.

Thanks,

Best Regards, Les

 

[crazyphil]

The prop people were not too concerned about guns and holsters on Barney Miller. In a couple of episodes Barney would go into his office with a black holster and come out later with a brown one!!!

I just finished watching all of the shows a couple of months ago. I found out how the series ended !!

I tried for a while to find good photos of Barney showing his
holster & gun, but not much luck. The few I did find were
different colors, as you said, and also different locations on
his belt. Doesn't seem like old Barney was very consistent.

 

[GunarSailors]

I cant help myself...
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LKubY_IC7xw[/ame]

 

[crazyphil]

I cant help myself...
Barney Miller Hash - YouTube

That's a good one Gunar. Thanks.

 

[LDM]

Love that old school shoulder rig Fish (Abe Vigoda) is wearing.

 

[rednichols]

Love that old school shoulder rig Fish (Abe Vigoda) is wearing.

Phil got me looking when he first posted his thread, and I realised that Fish is seen with his shoulder holster on one side or the other! Appears to be a righty worn whichever way suited the scene (just leave the pistol out of the holster in scenes where the righty is under the right arm).

 

[PPCSHOOTER]

The detectives in my precinct during the 70's and 80's had these little holsters that barely held on to the model 36s they had on their belts. It was a wonder they never fell out. I guess between the little holsters, the cigars, raincoats and pinky rings that was the sign on a true NYPD detective. Oh yea I almost forgot about the cheap suits.

IN CHICAGO, THEY ALSO HAD BAD TOUPEES. I MEAN REALLY BAD ONES. JP

 

[crazyphil]

I have read that Barney Miller was one of the most authentic police TV
programs.

Hal Linden and his character Barney Miller where/are left handed.
But in most scenes he is shown carrying his gun just behind his
right hip for a right hand draw.

He is shown entering his office with a black holster on his hip
and coming out of his office with a brown holster.

He is supposed to be carrying a snub nose .38 revolver,
but the Bucheimer Sheriff holster looks long enough for
a 4" barrel.

In one scene the stocks on his revolver looks like the plow handle
shape of a Peacemaker.

So much for the authenticity. At least where his gun and holsters
are concerned.

 

[soFlaNative]

Good show, haven't seen a rerun in some time.
Recall one scene where Fish left the room after relaying to Barney where at one time he was able to drop a coin from the back of his hand, draw his weapon and shoot the coin before it hit the floor. Barney tried, fumbled the draw then kind of waved the gun at the fallen coin.
I can't remember which hand or the holster position.

 

[Not Getting Any Younger]

My dad still watches reruns of Barney Miller.
I watch them with him when I'm there.

I remember there was a spin-off - "Fish" I think it was.
Abe Vigoda played Fish. I think he was retired. His wife 'Bernice' was hilarious, and they had a several foster kids.

I think it only lasted one or two seasons.

I'm going to have to pay more attention to the holsters and guns the next time I watch "Barney Miller"!

 

[Buford57]

I started seeing the reruns on TV again about a year ago and have a bunch recorded to watch while I am down for a week or two.

During the first run I identified with Wojo or Dietrich. By the time I saw it again I had jumped clear past Barney to Fish...and realized I had almost a decade on Fish's supposed age at the beginning.

Dear Lord, let me go 10-7 before I turn into Luger!

 

[NCBeagle]

I love that show. Not sure when it was current. I am 42 years old and used to watch the late-night reruns when I was a kid. Going to look up some old episodes.