Alfred Hitchkock and the Oregon Boot.

The Oregon Boot should be known by most of you. There are several versions with different locks. One of them takes a double-sided key; one side for opening and the other for locking. This lock construction is very clever and the locking bolt has a trapezoidal thread. My set has a patent stamping of “May ‘76”.
 
In 1957, long after the Oregon Boot was banned due to leg injuries, the Oregon Boot played a central role in Alfred Hitchkock’s “The Manacled”. I guess some of our new members may not have seen this episode. So please enjoy.
 
P.S. The episode has one essential error. What error do you recognize?
 
Lars
 

It was a great episode and one of my favorites but a restraint that attaches to one’s ankle should not be referred to as a “manacle.”

Spencer

Lars, i am glad that you like this episode.
I had great fun presenting this at one of the Cannon Escape shows and again in Muenster, Germany, even though I had to narrate it due to audio technical difficulties.

I saw it many years ago and remembered it as a Hitchcock TV production.  When trying to get a copy for the conventions, I could not find it anywhere.  I contacted a Hitchcock group president and he told me that he never heard of it.  He told me to check the Twilight group as it was probably a TZ episode that I got confused about.

Season 2 Hitchcock just became released on DVD while I was searching, so I was pleased that I could share it with you.

Didn’t off. Hand in my glance at the video pick up on the error.  I’m wondering if it was in the way the key was turned when in the train compartment.     

Wish I could see first hand an Oregon Boot, afford one , and have one in my collection someday.

Here is a video of a boot in a museum along with other cuffs

Nobody commented on the episode error. As can be seen in the episode, the key is of the similar type as in the picture of my Oregon Boot. One side is for opening the lock and the other for locking.

The prisoner shot the officer dead and the shot also hit the tube on the key which was damaged. However, this is a double sided key and the undamaged tube
was never tested. There was consequently a 50% chance that the undamaged tube was the opening side of the key.


Lars

Only watched the first 15 minutes and spotted a mistake. He claims there are only 3 in California and they weigh 40lb - wrong they only weigh 14lb (well that’s what my one weights plus 3lb for the stirrup and Boot!

holstcollection wrote: ↑

Aug 12, 2021

Nobody commented on the episode error. As can be seen in the episode, the key is of the similar type as in the picture of my Oregon Boot. One side is for opening the lock and the other for locking.

The prisoner shot the officer dead and the shot also hit the tube on the key which was damaged. However, this is a double sided key and the undamaged tube
was never tested. There was consequently a 50% chance that the undamaged tube was the opening side of the key.


Lars

Click to expand...

Rats!  I was laying in bed last night when it came to me what the error was. I was going to get up this morning and post my answer but you beat me to it..

EDIT:  I just noticed something else. Everything is backwards. Its as if we're seeing it in a mirror. At least that's how it plays on my laptop.

JS

Here is a link to a previous discussion on this topic.
We have a contribution form Jack Tanis and Houdini's Ghost.

The link to the show is included and IF it still works, it might not be mirror imaged




Alfred hitchcock handcuffs and oregon boot

If I remember correctly, they could be ordered in different weights.

A great story though!

CHRISCUFFS wrote: ↑

Aug 12, 2021

Only watched the first 15 minutes and spotted a mistake. He claims there are only 3 in California and they weigh 40lb - wrong they only weigh 14lb (well that’s what my one weights plus 3lb for the stirrup and Boot!

Hi Chris,

You are correct, 40lb, as claimed, is of course an impossible weight. I still wonder in how many weights they came in. I just weighed my OB (without stirrup and boot) and it is 7,5 kg (16,53lb)

Lars

Those of you owning an OB, please have it weighed and post the weigh here. It would be interesting to see the variations.

Lars

holstcollection wrote: ↑

Aug 15, 2021

CHRISCUFFS wrote: ↑

Aug 12, 2021

Only watched the first 15 minutes and spotted a mistake. He claims there are only 3 in California and they weigh 40lb - wrong they only weigh 14lb (well that’s what my one weights plus 3lb for the stirrup and Boot!

Hi Chris,

You are correct, 40lb, as claimed, is of course an impossible weight. I still wonder in how many weights they came in. I just weighed my OB (without stirrup and boot) and it is 7,5 kg (16,53lb)

Lars

Click to expand...

I've worn Chris's boot (the one in his photo of course) and at 14ib it's seriously effective, no chance of running anywhere once it's locked on.