Sanford and Son S01E09 Coffins for Sale
Lamont’s keeping a pair of coffins in the living room spooks superstitious Fred.
Storyline
Lamont brings home a pair of old wooden coffins that he bought at an auction, but superstitious Fred wants nothing to do with them. Attempting to sell them to a funeral director, Lamont and the man can’t agree on a price. When Fred finds out that the coffins are going to spend the night in the front room, he decides to sleep out on the truck. After the house gets quiet, Lamont gets a little edgy himself and eventually ends up joining Fred outside.
Did you know
Trivia
This episode marks the first appearance of Melvin.
Goofs
The only undertaker that offered to buy them from Lamont wanted to pay $25 for both, same as what Lamont paid for them, but then offered $30, which Lamont also refused. In the end Lamont sold them to him for $25 when he should’ve taken the $30 offer.
Quotes
Fred G. Sanford: I don’t understand you kids today. If I had talked to my father the way you talk to me, you know what he’d have done?
Lamont Sanford: Yeah, he’d have given you one across the lip.
Fred G. Sanford: That’s right. And he would’ve continued on down from there. He whipped from the lips to the hips.
Lamont Sanford: And you think that’s the answer, huh?
Fred G. Sanford: Well, it might not be the answer, but it sure was no question when he finished.
User reviews
Slappy White as Melvin White
“Coffins for Sale” introduced Slappy White as Melvin White (only five episodes), basically the predecessor of Don Bexley’s Bubba, Slappy being the longtime comedy partner of Redd Foxx. Superstitious Fred has another patented heart attack at the prospect of keeping two coffins in the house. The smiling face of funeral home director Nelson B. Davis (James Wheaton), later seen in “Pops ‘n’ Pals,” makes an offer of $30 for both, but Lamont holds out for $50 apiece. Davis leaves with his usual parting spiel: “it’s been a slow week, business is dead!” Melvin walks in and immediately walks back out! Their discussion becomes nostalgic, and how Fred used to deal with his own father: “every time he raised that strap up he had my complete attention!” Despite his dismissal of his father’s fears, even Lamont is afraid to stay in the house with the coffins at night!