As a young designer in a classical furniture company, Harold Skinner tries to update the catalog by improving the aesthetics and using new materials.
When he discovers the radical opposition of John Brown, the company owner, Harold approaches Brown’s wife to start a—Hitchcock typically perverse—partnership in order to launch his designs. Another example of a designer trying to improve a company through design that uses the Eames—and their Molded Plastic chairs—as a reference.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents: “John Brown’s Body“. Season 2, Episode 14 (30 Dec. 1956)
Harold Skinner – In my opinion, John, this is the type of furniture we should be making.
John Brown – Remarkable. What is it?
H.S. – It’s a chair, made out of wrought iron and plastic. It’s the latest modern design.
J.B. – And this, Harold?
H.S. – That’s a copy of a new Swedish reversible sofa.
J.B. – Hmm. Does a set of instructions go with them? I’d be afraid to get into that thing.
H.S. – Unfortunately, John, our customers are not quite so old-fashioned. The public is demanding modern furniture now… Take this sofa.
J.B. – My boy, that is not a sofa. That is a sofa! Constructed, not turned out. Quality, my boy. That’s what we’re selling.
H.S. – People are looking for something new. We’ve got to give it to them.
J.B. – Chairs made out of scrap metal? That’s not what our customers expect from John Brown and Company.
H.S. – We’d get new customers with a line of modern furniture.
J.B. – Now, Harold, our sales are fine. We’re making money. We’ll end the year with our usual nice profit.
H.S. – We could triple our profits.
J.B. – And we could go bankrupt.
H.S. – So you won’t even consider it?
J.B. – I’m afraid the answer is “No. ”
H.S. – But listen, John, if you’d just…
Vera Brown – Hello! …Oh, did I interrupt anything?
J.B. – No, no, my dear. We’ve finished.
V.B. – How’re you, Harold?
H.S. – Hello, Mrs. Brown.[...]
V.B. – Why were you and John glaring at each other when I came in?
H.S. – I told him our product was 20 years out of style.
V.B. – A lot of people still buy it.
H.S. – Three times as many would buy furniture like this.
V.B. – What’s that?
H.S. – Sketches of a new line of modern furniture that we’re not bringing out.
V.B. – May I look?
H.S. – You can have them.
V.B. – Are these your own ideas?
H.S. – Well, some of them. I had a designer working on it.
V.B. – Oh, I think they’re awfully good. I really do.
H.S. – Well, thanks.
