AIRPLANES

* Piston-engine airplanes in the movies are unusually subject to engine failure. This failure mode is unique to filmdom - engine coughs, keeps running. Hero doesn't notice. Then it stutters, catches again. Hero notices, taps gas gauge, turns lever. Then it stutters exactly three times and stops immediately, including propeller. No further efforts are ever made to restart.

ALCOHOL

* Only men are alcoholics. Any hopeless alcoholic can quit drinking when faced with an important challenge. The instant the alcoholic stops drinking, all his faculties return and he faces no annoying withdrawals.

ANSWERING MACHINES

ANIMALS

* Dogs always know who's bad, and bark at them.

BARS/DRINKING

BINOCULARS & GLASSES

BIOLOGY AND GENETICS

BODILY FUNCTIONS

* Movie people can get cabs instantly, unless they are in danger, whereupon no cab can be found

CARS & DRIVING

CLOTHING

* Whenever anyone knocks out anyone else and takes their clothes, it's always a flawless fit.

COMPUTERS & ELECTRONICS

CONVERSATIONS

DINING