Fit for a King

It's wonderful when a film encounters the perfect storm - a  finely crafted script filled with drama and comedy, impeccable performances and period perfect sets and costumes. The King's Speech is such a film. 

The true story of the relationship between "Bertie" a.k.a. the future King George VI of England (Colin Firth) and his eccentric speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), The King's Speech is set in  thirties London as the country is on the brink of war. Production designer Eve Stewart  designed two worlds -- the colorful palatial residences of the Royals (toned down to reflect the times) contrasted with the gritty Depression influenced interiors of the commoners.

Much of the film's scenes take place in  Logue's offices where Bertie uncomfortably received unorthodox treatments to cure his stammer. Filmed at 33 Portland Place in London, the actual space was similar to that of a Venetian palace mixed with an artists's studio. I was particularly intrigued by the walls which looked like some sort of distressed faux treatment. The original walls consisted of peeling wallpaper and treated with oil. Stewart liked the effect and reproduced the look for the entire room, creating an autumnal colored fresco that became the focal point. Little furniture was required, placing more audience focus on the actors. For authenticity, Stewart studied Logue's actual diaries and researched interiors at the Victoria and Albert Museum and Geffrye museum of interior design. 

A distressed wall becomes the focal point of Logue's office

Working on a tight budget, period locations were the key element. The production team created the opulence of Buckingham Palace at Lancaster House in the St. James district in London's West End. Considered one of the finest townhouses in London (Queen Victoria was said to have quipped upon arrival "I have come from my House to your Palace"), the ornate decor was the perfect backdrop as the royals nervously await Bertie's first wartime broadcast in the opulent gilt panelled state drawing room.   It was also used as the royal residence for the films National Secrets and Young Victoria.

On location at Lancaster House

Lancaster Hall was previously known as Stafford House
Shown here is the Grand Hall, Joseph Nash, 1850

King George VI (Colin Firth)  and Queen Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter)

Meticulous research  --  right down to the actual microphones -- was required for the film. 

Costume designer Jenny Beavan faced the same budget restrictions of designing a royal wardrobe on a pauper's budget. After surveying "massive amounts of photos"and newsreels of the real King and Queen, Beavan decided to dress Bonham Carter in muted colors with two important fashion details -- the Queen always tipped her hat at an angle and loved a touch of fur.

The actual Queen Mum

The King's Speech Costume Exhibit

I fully expect the film to be nominated for Best Art Direction and Costume categories as well as Best Picture at this year's Oscars. It's a must see film on many levels.

Photo Credits: The Weinstein Company

For Your Consideration

For some it's the Super Bowl, Wimbledon or perhaps March Madness while others live for American Idol or Dancing With the Stars. For me, the best time of the year (competition wise) is the Hollywood awards season which starts next Sunday, January 16th with the Golden Globes and concludes Sunday, February 27th with the 83rd Academy Awards. And sandwiched in between for your viewing pleasure is the Screen Actors Guild and Independent Spirit awards. Let the handicapping begin.

While much is forecasted, predicted and generally dissected ad nauseum over who will get the plum awards -- Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress -- or who will wear what on the Red Carpet -- I naturally find the design related awards (Best Art Direction and Best Costume) to be of particular interest.

The Art Directors Guild recently announced their nominations for Excellence in Production Design which gives us a  glimpse of possible films in the running for the Academy Awards. Unlike the Oscars, the Guild awards films in a variety of design categories -- period, contemporary and fantasy.  This year's theme is Designs on Film (yes, my book!!!) and the ceremony takes place February 5th in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton.

The nominations for Excellence in Production Design for Feature Film are:

Period Film:

True Grit
Production Designer: Jess Gonchor

The King's Speech
Production Designer: Eve Stewart

Shutter Island
Production Designer: Dante Ferretti

Robin Hood
Production Designer: Arthur Max

Get Low
Production Designer: Geoffrey Kirkland

Fantasy Film:

Alice in Wonderland
Production Designer: Robert Stromberg

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One
Production Designer: Stuart Craig

Inception
Production Designer: Guy Hendrix Dyas

Tron: Legacy
Production Designer: Darren Gilford

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn
Production Designer: Barry Robison

Contemporary Film:

Black Swan
Production Designer: Therese DePrez

The Social Network
Production Designer:  Donald Graham Burt

The Fighter
Production Designer: Judy Becker

The Town
Production Designer:  Sharon Seymour

127 Hours
Production Designer: Suttirat Lalarb


Congratulations and good luck to all! You can read more about the nominations -- as well as those for television here. And if you are interested in purchasing the poster at the top of the blog, they are available for 20.00 at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts website here.

And a special thanks to Catrin Morris of Apartment Therapy for her piece on Cinema Style.

Between the book launch, the Christmas holidays and a much needed vacation to the beach,  I am catching up with the current movies and plan to feature several noteworthy and stylish films in the weeks to come. Next up is The King's Speech so stay tuned.

Happy 2010!

Happy Holidays!

Follow the yellow brick road to your local bookstore. Designs on Film makes a great gift!

(And yes, a little artistic license thrown in with my cat Snoopy).

Thank you for your support this past year and all the best for a prosperous and healthy 2011.

Happy Holidays!

Cathy Whitlock

At The Ballet

I was talking to a friend the other night who is a former professional "ballerina" who was quite dismayed at how Hollywood has portrayed her profession. Neurotic psychos, extreme disciplinarians and ruthless get-ahead-at-all-costs prima donnas are often the norm while a few films tend to capture the essence, technique and dedication of this truly incredible and often misunderstood art form:

Black Swan (Fox Searchlight, 2010)

The most recent addition to the dance film genre is Black Swan, a psychological thriller set in the world of the New York City Ballet. Natalie Portman plays Nina, a danceaholic who plays the lead role in Swan Lake and gets in touch with her dark side along the way. While some of the cliches are present - a bitter off the deep end retired dancer (Winona Ryder), stage door mother (Barbara Hershey), etc., the competitiveness and stress of the profession is effectively portrayed. The emotionally charged  film is garnering all sorts of early nominations and Oscar buzz.

The Turning Point (Twentieth Century Fox, 1977)

The Turning Point is the story of the lives two ballet dancers -- one who left the troupe to start a family (Shirley MacLaine) and another who became a prima ballerina (Anne Bancroft). Regret, reflection and jealousy between the two women ensues when MacLaine's daughter (Lesley Browne) joins the company. Doris Day, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn turned down the leads and as well as  real-life ballet legend Gelsey Kirkland who was offered the role of the daughter.  The film was nominated for eleven Academy Awards including Best Picture and was miraculously shut out that year.

Lesley Browne and Mikhail Baryshnikov

Anne Bancroft and Shirley MacLaine as friends and rivals

The Red Shoes (Archer, 1948)

The age old choice between love and career is the theme of this ballet classic. Moira Shearer plays a young dancer who becomes the lead in The Red Shoes production (inspired by a Hans Christian Anderson fable) and is considered one of the top ten British films ever made. Art director Hein Heckroth used over 120 paintings as backdrop for the opening dance sequence.

The Company (Sony Pictures, 2003)

Director Robert Altman's drama of a group of ballet dancers with Neve Campbell as  the principal of a Chicago ballet troupe. Apparently Campbell employed her own method acting and trained eight hours a day for four months. The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago cooperated fully with the production both on and off screen.

Campbell with the company's artistic director played by Malcolm McDowell

Photo Credits: Sony Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, Archer Films, Fox Searchlight.






                                                                                                                        

Cinema Style Christmas Wishlist

Dear Santa,

While a trip to St. Barth's, world peace, tickets to this week's Paul McCartney concert on Sirius, a leopard Valentino bag and film festival tickets would be wonderful in my stocking, the following is a list any stylish film buff would be happy to receive:

The Audrey Hepburn Muse Collection

Seven of Hepburn's best films including Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sabrina, Roman Holiday, Paris When It Sizzles, War and Peace and Funny Face highlight some of the best fashion moments in her career. Available for 70.99 on Amazon.

All Posters

A great site for unique film posters -- think instant art for the wall. You can see the collection at allposters.com. I love the different take on Sunset Boulevard.

100 remastered top hits from obscure films -- and I bet you never knew Billy Paul's Me and Mrs. Jones was from the film Beautiful Girls. MP3's available from Amazon for a mere 0.99 here.

Movie Posters 2011 (Universe Publishing)

Twelve iconic films from the National Film Registry from Blazing Saddles and The Graduate to Sabrina and A Night at the Opera. It beats a year of cute puppies anytime. 12. 59 on Amazon.

Columbia Best Picture Collection

It's all here -- 11 Best Picture winners including Kramer versus Kramer, Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia and It Happened One Night. 65.99 on Amazon.

Scene-It

Bored with Scrabble? Try this interactive film game where you watch film clips, test your knowledge and perhaps humiliate yourself at parties. 18.49 at Amazon.


Bob Willoughby's Audrey Hepburn Photographs 1953-1966

If money is no object, Hollywood photographer Bob Willoughby's collector's edition of "The Tiffany Princess in a Little Black Dress" is wonderful. Behind the scene shots from Roman Holiday, My Fair Lady and many more. And only 700.00:) Available from Taschen.

Happy Shopping!

Photo Credits: Twentieth Century Fox, All Posters, Taschen

The News on Film

I am an admitted news junkie therefore I love any film that has to do with the subject of the media. Hollywood's most recent foray on the topic is Morning Glory, the Diane Keaton-Harrison Ford romantic comedy (Rachel McAdams is the real star of this film) about a daytime news show. "Daybreak" is last in the ratings and the former beauty queen host and legendary anchor of course clash while Adams as producer tries to keep the show --and her life -- from unraveling.

Rachel McAdams

Perhaps my favorite film is Broadcast News (1987), director James L. Brooks story of a tv news producer (Holly Hunter), the brilliant writer who is secretly in love with her (Albert Brooks) and the handsome yet awkward on camera anchor (William Hurt). The film is hilarious yet poignant as the Washington news bureau suffers the fate of many in television today -- downsizing due to the economy. Brooks steals the show with some of the best one liners on film. And for a piece of trivia, Debra Winger was supposed to play the female lead but pregnancy got in the way.

Hunter, Brooks and Hurt

Desk Set (1957) is the story of what happens when computerization hits a television network research department.  Spencer Tracy stars as the engineer ordered to reshape the department and Katherine Hepburn as Bunny, the sharp tongued head researcher. There is lots of witty dialogue and banter, not to mention sterling performances. The film was originally a play and rumored to be based on an actual CBS  researcher (and IBM!).

Hepburn and Tracey 

Network (1976) is perhaps the quintessential film on the news business, albeit a dark one. The fictitious Union Broadcasting System suffers from poor ratings and places their somewhat deranged head anchor Howard Beale (Peter Finch) as an angry prophet with his own "entertainment" show, adding "I'm mad as hell and not going to take it anymore" to the national  lexicon. Faye Dunaway won the Oscar as the cold, calculating producer Diana Christensen. It's satirical, brilliant and a must see.

Dunaway as uber producer Diana Christensen

The Infamous Morning After shot: Dunaway with her Oscar by the pool 

And last but not least....All The President's Men (1976) is the political thriller based on the non-fiction book of Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Cal Bernstein as they uncover the unraveling of the Nixon presidency. Everything clicks with this film -- the performances, direction and story are first rate. The film won an Oscar for Best Art Direction as production designer George Jenkins dutifully recreated the Post headquarters on a Warner Brothers soundstage, right down to the phone books.

Hoffman and Redford

Jason Robards as Post Editor Ben Bradlee. Designers measured and copied
 original newsroom desks for an authentic recreation

Photo credits: Columbia Pictures, Warner Brothers, Twentieth Century Fox

Today is the Day!

"Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain."

-- The Wizard of Oz, 1939

I am proud to announce that my book debuts today! Designs on Film: A Century of Hollywood Art Direction (!t Books/Harper Collins, 2010) covers the evolving story of art direction from the silents to present day. Hundreds of images and renderings of every film style and genre -- many seen here for the first time -- are featured along with dozens of interviews with some of the cinema's top production designers, art directors and set decorators and written with the cooperation of the venerable Art Directors Guild.

My personal favorite sections are the behind the scenes stories along with Manhattan on Film, Italy on Film and the films from the forties and sixties. And of course Gone With the Wind, period sagas, fantasy films and the Big White Sets of the thirties. And the films of Nancy Meyers, my favorite designing director. It's all here from Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times and Ben Hur to Sunset Boulevard, North By Northwest and Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House to Citizen Kane, The Graduate, Chinatown and  The Age of Innocence to Titanic, Pride and Prejudice, Somethings Gotta Give and Avatar. You get the picture.

You can see more of the book at my website or get a sneak peak at the Art Directors Guild site. The book is available at a bookstore near you (if there are still standing!), Amazon, Borders, Barnes and Noble, etc. or if you would like to personalize a copy, you can email and purchase directly through me.

It's been a long and winding journey down the yellow brick road and I hope you enjoy it!

Photo Credits: Gosford Park/USA Films, MGM/Photofest/!t Books/Harper Collins

Shelf Life: The Season's Top Design Tomes

Many thanks to editor Wendy Goodman of New York Magazine for naming Designs on Film as one of the seasons "Top Design Tomes." I am proud to be in such wonderful company and you can read more about this and her selections here.

She cites the designs of Cleopatra (1963) as one of her favorites. I agree as these sets were some of the richest and most opulent in film history.

Elizabeth Taylor as the pampered Queen of the Nile

The film was one of the most expensive films ever made at that time

Filming was shot in England to look like Alexandria, Egypt and then moved to Italy, hence the inflated budget

I am a big fan of Wendy's work and be sure to catch her new book The World of Gloria Vanderbilt (Abrams, 2010) which debuted earlier in the month. The images and insider's view of the history of this renaissance woman are as stunning as the cover.

Photo Credits: Twentieth Century Fox, Abrams Books