Sanford and Son (TV Series) The Piano Movers (1972) User Reviews

Unique Set

[sbdavin · 8/10 · 5 May 2010]

The entire episode was filmed on a set of an apartment building where an art collector lived. What a colorful set! They did not use the primary set - Fred and Lamont's house.

I kept thinking that the actors would leave the scenes with the special slippers on but I was wrong; they addressed them every time.

The viewer doesn't get to see how the piano ends up on its side to go through the door. The camera cuts away so that stagehands could upend it.

Even though they wore slippers, Lamont was quick to toss the priceless Persian rug out of the way to get the piano through.

Fred was hilarious in the timing of the scenes which had him appear to be doing all the work!

The abbreviated first season concludes on a high note

[kevinolzak · 8/10 · 14 December 2016]

"The Piano Movers" finished the abbreviated first season with episode 14, one of the last to be a direct adaptation from its British inspiration STEPTOE AND SON. A very fussy customer (Lester Fletcher, later seen in "Tower Power") wants Sanford and Son to haul away his wife's piano, paying $20 to get the job done. He requires that they wear slippers to avoid damaging his antique Persian rug, unable to sit in Chippendales or lean against the delicate French wallpaper. The Man believes that Lamont is a slave driver, forcing his elderly father to continue working, each time Fred is on his feet while his son is getting some rest! Fred has some ideas about their host: "I think he's a fruitcake, or maybe just a plain fruit...in that fruity robe!" Fred appears to be an expert in humiliating his exasperated son at every turn, a fine conclusion to a solid introductory season.

Witnessed the taping

[pudtime · 10/10 · 4 January 2012]

I was present at the taping of this episode as part of a trip from the Telecommunications Department, San Diego City College, to NBC studios for a tour and the show. Our group was lucky to part of the last episode of the 1st season. It has become a classic and a nice change from the normal junk yard setting. Lester was amazing as the pianos owner, and the Sanford's particularly in sync. The writing is sharp. It was a joy to have witnessed in person. Seeing the finished product, even years later, buoyed my utmost respect for Redd Foxx. He told a filthy joke to warm up the crowd that I still tell. I will not repeat it here, but it has to do with the quickest way to kill someone.

Oh wow, this is a classic epsode and one I won't ever forget

[peter-46978 · 10/10 · 28 February 2024]

Everything about this episode is so interesting - the pacing, the recurring theme about Fred doing all the work, the oddly pretentious yet sympathetic character of "The Man"...

I still remember being captivated by this episode because it's so different in how it looks and feels from all the other episodes which took place in the junkyard. It's also funny, a sort of Laurel and Hardy-ish concept. Three's Company would of course come later, but often had "misunderstanding plots" similar to this.

By the way, Lester Fletcher has a brief appearance near the beginning of the episode where Fred begins creating sculpture out of junk (the scene when they are looking at art in the museum). Perhaps we can let ourselves believe it's the same character and that they were fated to cross paths again later on?