Monday, February 22, 2010

movie sets

This past weekend I watched A star is born from 1954 starring Judy Garland. The sets, in particular her house, are shockingly 'au courant'. I loved the cerused oak front doors with 3 panels and modern sidelight. Notice also the Mies van der Rohe Barcelona chair in white leather.
In the living room, this card table and chairs would be welcome in my own home, maybe minus the pink cushions. The barcelona stools in the living room were covered with a yellow nubbly looking fabric, you see the top of one here.
Excuse the poor picture quality, but here is a better view of the white leather barcelona chair up on the entry level while down in the living room the corresponding Barcelona stool has the yellow upholstery. Even the sofa looks as if it came from Room and Board last week, not 55 years ago!
However, the main reason to watch this movie is the superb acting and even MORE excellent singing. This scene is heart-wrenching and with fantastic sets - meant to show the Oscars of the time. Notice - eating and dancing: Who needs an after party?

And here as a special treat is 'The man that got away' sung by Judy Garland: You can see why she was such a star!

Definitely check out this excellent movie if you get a chance: nominated for 6 oscars. My only complaint would be that it is rather long at 3 hours, but nothing a remote control can't fix!

13 comments:

pve design said...

I love that you are not afraid to fast forward and to savour the snippets of good. Love the set and the song!

lady jicky said...

You must get out and watch the movie "Midnight Lace" with Doris Day. Its a thriller set in London and the fog.
Her apartment is wonderful!!!! So are the cloths too.

Vanessa@decor happy said...

So interesting! The rooms are current and with just a bit of tweaking, they could be so liveable today. Just goes to show that good design is timeless.

Karena said...

Good eye Stefan, and I will watch the movie. Some of the Hitchcock sets are timeless as well

Lauren said...

can't wait to watch it- jst love Judy Garland
xoxo

ArchitectDesign™ said...

PVE, I was embaressed to admit it -but it's just a LONG movie due to tons of singing!
Lady Jicky, I just added it to my netflix queue -hopefully it comes out on DVD soon!
Vanessa, exactly! good design IS timeless! I couldn't have said it better myself :-)
Karena -thanks! Yes, I LOVE a good hitchcock movie! I just rewatched 'Rebecca' last week -his first Hollywood movie.

ArchitectDesign™ said...

Lauren, I have a newfound appreciation for her acting abilities after this movie. It's a whole nother world from Meet me in St Louis or the Wizard of Oz!

soodie :: said...

i love the card table and chairs too!

Anonymous said...

Did you ever notice that the when Judy sings "The Man That Got Away" it's a single camera shot? That goes to illustrate that all involved were of the highest caliber. Vincent Minnelli said he could give Judy 10 notes and corrections about a scene, sure she could never remember and incorporate them all, but it the next take, all would be made and made seamlessly.

Reynolds Still said...

Incredible images! Thanks for sharing with your blog groupies. I liked the clean lines of the architecture and select pieces of furniture. Very handsome indeed!

Best regards,
Reynolds Still

The Down East Dilettante said...

Whaddya mean, 'whole new respect'? She's perfectly brilliant in Wizard.

Love the whole set, but those doors especially make me crazy. Bleached, pickled, cerused, I love it all.

Unknown said...

What a great post. You are right! I too would welcome that set of table and chairs. And I love those front doors.

jim bright said...

Great finds in this movie. Thanks for posting. I always love to catch a glimpse at film sets. Most fascinating.