Continuity problems with the MacMurray method

[esl]

For those who do not know, "The MacMurray Method" is named after Fred MacMurray's insistence on a unique shooting plan that demanded that all scenes with him, for the upcoming season, be shot on consecutive days. This required all the other actors to be available to be filmed later, sometimes much later for shots that would then be edited into earlier filmed sequences with Mr. MacMurray. This created logistical nightmares. Wardrobe and hairstyles had to be coordinated over many months of shooting. Then there were the uncontrollable problems like the death of an actor or the sudden growth of a child actor. So with that background in mind, please post continuity errors that you have found because of this shooting schedule.

Here is my first entry: The Recital, from Episode 20 from Season 11; it originally aired on February 20, 1971. At about 4minutes and 20 seconds into the show Barbara is seen downstairs with Dodie, who is practicing the piano. Barbara is wearing a blue and white pokka-dotted dress. The next scene shows Fred MacMurray perturbed by the sound of the piano (the same piano piece being played just seconds before in the background in the prior scene) and Barbara walks in to her and Steve's bedroom yet now she is wearing navy blue pants and a matching vest with a blouse.

[McGillicuddy]

Oh, I hate careless continuity like that. Just no excuse! lol.

[Dusty's Fan]

The production people were pretty conscientious to avoid such problems, using photos to ensure that wardrobes matched previous footage. That applied to both the regular cast and the guests. For a series that ran well over a decade, though, it's not realistic to expect 100% perfection...!

The main thing that became noticable in the late seasons was the growth of Dodie's teeth. It's been said that the MacMurray Method was a well-kept secret until her arrival eventually revealed it.

I would watch for very subtle changes such as length of hair and styling for the regular cast, though the male members had weekly haircuts. By the time Katie joins the Douglases, you might be able to spot some very slight hair differences from scene to scene.

[pennybear]

Have you noticed that they often were the same outfit, over and over again. Barbara has a yellow flowered dress she is always wearing and Robbie has a bright yellow shirt. Wearing the same clothes had to help with continuity.

[Dusty's Fan]

Yes. Barbara had a pretty navy blue top she wore fairly often, with a white skirt and white pumps. Charley wore a light blue dress shirt very often. Dodie had a striped shirt that appeared somewhat often.

Here's a continuity error someone caught: In one of the Season 10 shows, the part in Katie's hair changes sides from scene-to-scene. This goes back to the kind of subtle hair-related things that most viewers would not have noticed back when the episodes first ran.

I might also mention that another Fedderson series, Family Affair, was also shot out of sequence. Brian Keith's scenes were done using the "MacMurray Method," unless I'm badly mistaken.