The Master of Suspense: A Tale of Two Hitches

In honor of Halloween, Cinema Style takes a look at director Alfred Hitchcock a.k.a. "The Master of Suspense" who happens to be the subject of not one but two films this fall.

The real Alfred Hitchcock

As gifted as he was, Hitch had a side as dark as his movies. HBO's The Girl explores his obsession with actress Tippi Hedren (played by Sienna Miller) during the filmmaking of The Birds. He gave the Nordic blonde model her start in films and when she spurned his advances, he terrorized her on the set. The infamous scene where Hedren opens the attic and is attacked by a flock of angry birds was shot in five long days (on purpose) when one day would do. (Rumors abound that the birds were fed whiskey to make them more aggressive and Hedren suffered countless nightmares after filming). Long before the days of sexual harassment suits, Hedren was powerless. Signed to a seven year contract, the director and his muse collaborated on his next film Marni and parted ways shortly after. Actor Toby Jones (who played Truman Capote in Infamous) nails the portly genius right down to his measured voice.

Jones and Miller as Hitch and Hedren

Miller in the Attic

Hedren in The Birds (1963)

The real Hedren and Hitch on set

Hitch's marriage to screenwriter Alma Reveille  is the focus of the upcoming Hitchcock. Starring Academy Award winners Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren as the married Hitches, Scarlett Johansson as Vivien Leigh and  Jessica Biel as Vera Miles, the film covers the trials and tribulations of making one of the most popular horror films of all time, Psycho (1959).  Hitchcock (Fox Searchlight) premieres November 23rd  and early buzz is an Oscar nom for Hopkins.

Hopkins with the perfect profile as Hitch

Mirren as wife Alma -- note the menacing spider web design on her dres

Brilliant and complex,  his work was designed to scare, excite, titillate, and create a general level of anxiety.  Do yourself a favor, this Halloween forget Hostel one and two, Saw one through six and Halloween one through six and rent Vertigo, Psycho and The Birds. It's classic filmmaking and no one wears a mask and sports a chainsaw. And Mrs. Danvers in Rebecca is pretty creepy too.

Photo Credits: Suzanne Tenner/Fox Searchlight, Universal Pictures, HBO Films

Eighties Sitcom Style

Hard to believe its been 30 years since audiences were introduced to Michael J. Fox via the beloved NBC sitcom Family Ties. Set in Columbus, Ohio via the Paramount Studios backlot, audiences came to know the familiar living room and kitchen of the Keaton household which gave a great glimpse into life in eighties suburbia.

For a walk down memory lane, take a tour of the sets on my Architectural Digest piece here.

And be sure and take a look at Architectural Digest's visit to Michael J. Fox and wife Tracy Pollan's house designed by Mariette Himes Gomez and Brooke Gomez in the December issue. Happy weekend!

Photo Credits: NBC

Hollywood at Home: Spotlight on Ryan Murphy

While maybe not be a household name to some, writer Ryan Murphy has brought us some of the most entertaining, twisted, inventive and hilarious television to date respectively, namely Glee, Nip/Tuck, American Horror Story and The New Normal. And his house in Los Angeles is pretty spectacular too.

The Hollywood Reporter recently featured his Spanish Colonial manse that serves as an inspiration for his new hit NBC show The New Normal. A self-confessed aficionado of 20s and 30s Monterey Spanish furniture, his collection is sympatico in the home that also boasts Diane Keaton as a former owner. And the synchronicities don't stop there - Normal is filmed in a 1927 Spanish Colonial house in Bel Air  once owned and lovingly restored by Diane Keaton. Designed by production designer Tony Fanning and set decorator Bryan Venegas (of Brothers and Sisters fame), the pair had to duplicate Monterey furnishings due to their scarcity.

At home with The New Normal

The multi colored Spanish tile kitchen countertop in The New Normal

The New Normal's sophisticated neutral toned bedroom

Spanish courtyard filled with whimsy at the Murphy household

The multi- Emmy Award winner in his library

Murphy's greige toned master bedroom

Bold black and white kitchen makes a simple statement

A Keaton interior is known for its whimsy and Murphy's home faithfully carries on the tradition. His personal collection of photographs include black and whites of the sixties film The Graduate, Tom Hanks sporting a pumpkin head and a young Barack Obama (the Glee creator even hosted a fund-raising party there for the President). Working with LA designer Cliff Fong, they "created eclectic interiors mixing ranch-inspired, period-correct furniture, contemporary art and photography and American Horror Story- worthy objects. Well said Hollywood Reporter. For a tour of his home, go here.

Photo Credits: NBC, The Hollywood Reporter/Douglas Friedman

A Perfect Marriage

The worlds of interior design and entertainment collided this past month forming the perfect union -- a mega furnishings retailer and a hit primetime show.

Retailer Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and set decorator Beth Kushnick of the CBS drama The Good Wife launched a new home furnishings line that allows viewers to purchase a piece of the show for their own homes. Aptly named The Good Wife Collection, the line (available online and in stores) features sofas, chairs, desks and pillows from the Lockhart/Gardner offices and lead character Alicia's home. Interlude Home will also offer a line of coordinated accessories through Horchow online.

The show has been enormously popular, prompting Kushnick to develop a Good Wife blog and subsequent furnishings line. Here's hoping that fashion retailers take notice and develop Lockhart Couture:)

The Good Wife is on Sunday nights on CBS at 8/9 central. For more on the new venture, see my Architectural Digest piece here.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Diane Conversational Chair

The perfect pull up chair for home, office and home/office. This versatile chair could even find a place in the bedroom. Love the fact its both traditional and modern at the same time much like Diane Lockhart.

Kalinda's  Leather Chair

Can't you just see Kalinda's boots dangling from the chair with a gun in her lap? I am not a huge fan of the wing but the modern lines of this leather chair are making me rethink the whole concept.

Zemico Side Table

This handcrafted iron base table can be seen in lawyer Eli Gold's office. Perfect as a side accompaniment or paired together as an alternative to coffee tables, it makes a statement whether you are orchestrating political warfare for a gubernatorial candidate or just need a place to prop your feet.

Mahima Twig Boxes

Apparently these are a favorite of Emmy award winning actress Julianna Margulies who plays lead character Alicia. They are hand painted and made of "sheesham wood" and great for storage or hiding a multitude of secret files.

Photo Credits: Justin Stephens/CBS, Mitchell Gold Bob Williams, Horchow

From Set and Screen to Living Room

For those of you in New York City and surrounds, hope you can attend a fun lecture "From Set and Screen to Living Room: The Set Decorator and the Interior Designer" at the D&D Building, 979 Third Avenue, Astra Cafe, 14th Floor on Wednesday, October 10th at 3:00. I will be on a panel discussion with Lydia Marks of Marks & Frantz and set decorator on Sex and the City and designer Marshall Watson (his line at Lewis Mittman has graced the sets of the new Katie Couric show). Ann Maine, editor in chief of Traditional Home, will be the moderator. 

Mark's interiors on the film Sex and the City 2 

A reception and book signing of Designs on Film will follow at the Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman showroom, suite 903. You can RSVP at 212-888-8580. And win a chance to attend a Katie show up close and personal. Hope to see you there!

And a big congrats to Sally Sirkin Lewis as she celebrates the 40th anniversary of J. Robert Scott. Bravo!!!

Photo Credits: J Robert Scott, Traditional Home, Warner Brothers

Stylish Sets, Bond Style

It is hard to fathom this year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the James Bond film, one of the most iconic and successful franchises in movie history.

Six 007's and 23 films later, the style of James Bond endures. While a Bond film is all about the girls, guns and gadgets, the designs often take center stage. And just like the gin and vermouth in a shaken not stirred martini, a Bond film will always feature a villain and his stylish lair.

The legendary production designer Sir Ken Adam (who set the tone of the genre), Syd Cain, Peter Lamont and Dennis Gassner were responsible for designing the worlds of good versus evil that included everything from underground grottoes and an ice palace to sleek high tech headquarters for world domination.

The Ice Palace in Die Another Day

Moonraker above and below

Casino Royale

For a tour of some of the most memorable sets of  half a century, see my Architectural Digest article The Best Sets From James Bond Movies here.

For those who live in NYC (or happen to be visiting), be sure and check out the Museum of Modern Art's 50 Years of James Bond exhibition. If you missed the extraordinary Designing 007- Fifty Years of Bond Style in London, you have a second chance to catch it in Toronto October 26th to January 20, 2013. And if that is not enough Bond for your liking, own a piece of memorabilia at the Christie's auction 50 Years of James Bond: The Auction. A few goodies include the Prada dress from Quantum of Solace worn by Olga Kurylenko (a mere 2500-3500 pounds) or the Tom Ford sunglasses worn by present day Bond Daniel Craig.

In the meantime,  get ready for the latest bond installment Skyfall, out in theaters November 9th. Joining Craig will be Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes and the legend continues. 

Photo Credits: Danjag, Eon, Sony/Columbia

Is Yellow the New Black?

Judging by the red carpet at the Emmys tonight, yellow must be the new black. Or at the very least a lucky color as several of the winners accepted their awards in bright shades of yellow.

A pregnant Claire Danes picked up a trophy for Best Actress in Showtime's Homeland in a strapless gown by Lanvin. Modern Family's Julie Bowen's blonde hair also complemented her Monique Lhullier gown (she won Best Actress in Comedy) while Julianne Moore's striking red hair was an interesting contrast to her yellow bodice fitting Christian Dior (she took home the Emmy for her role as Sarah Palin in Game Change). Leslie Mann went halfway with a Naheem Khan skirt.

Guess they took their cues from Emmy the Award who was also dressed in gold. At any rate, it was a refreshing change. Congrats to the winners and is it my imagination or do the Emmy guests look chicer than those at the Oscars?

Julie Bowen

Julianne Moore

Leslie Mann

Photo Credits: ABC

On My Radar for Fall

Fall is absolutely the best time of year as it signifies a new season of movie releases, Broadway plays, football, television series premieres and of course, Vogue's September issue:)

I will be covering many if these in articles and blog posts in the upcoming weeks...until then, mark your calendars and set your Tivos for a few things on my radar.....

The Good Wife

Diane Lockhart and Alicia Florrick's wardrobes are starting to rival the sets for my attention on his highly addictive legal drama. Season Four premieres Sunday, September 30th and 11 million viewers will be glued to their sets. And speaking of sets, look for the new launch of The Good Wife home furnishings and accessories line with Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and Interlude Home (which will be available on Horchow). Designed in conjunction with set decorator Beth Kushnick, your home or office can have a piece of the show (love the Diane chair!). Now if CBS will just come out with a line of Lockhart Couture I will be very  happy.

Nashville

Sex, power, love, family, betrayal, music and all in my hometown. They have been filming everywhere from my mother's neighborhood to downtown and in between and the Music City is certainly enjoying it's time in the spotlight. Early buzz is the show will be a huge hit. The series stars Connie Brittain, Hayden Panettiere and Powers Boothe. Catch the All About Eve country style saga on ABC on Wednesday,  October 10th.

666 Park Avenue

Also premiering on Sunday, September 30th (hope my Tivo doesn't overheat) is ABC's 666 Park Avenue which is touted as Rosemary's Baby meets The Shining. A young couple move into the coveted address and mystery ensues as the residents make a deal with the devil to get what they want? Sound familiar?  The series stars Vanessa Williams. Terry O'Quinn and Dave Annable from Brothers and Sisters. My friend Andy Baseman who did the fabulous Park Avenue sets for The Nanny Diaries  decorated the show so you know it will be good. No word yet if Mia Farrow makes an appearance...

Anna Karenina

Keira Knightley stars as Anna K in the age old story of a Russian aristocrat who has an affair with a count (played by Jude Law).  The epic film is slated for November 16th release and look for lots of period eye candy. From the sneak peak I have seen so far, the sets and costumes are nothing short of magnificent and designed by Academy Award winning production designer Sarah Greenwood and set decorator Katie Spencer (Pride and Prejudice) and costume designer Jacqueline Dorran. Film design and commerce collide once again as Dorran inked a deal with retailer Banana Republic for a 19th Century Russia line (just in time for the holidays).

The Girl

Well you know this is going to be good -- HBO's biopic on director Alfred Hitchcock and his strange fixation on actress Tippi Hedren and their collaboration on the films The Birds and Marnie. Starring Toby Jones as the famed director and Sienna Miller as his muse, The Girl debuts October 20th. 

And a quick note, if you are in the San Francisco area on Wednesday, September 19th, I will be lecturing on the subject of interior design on film at the Lee Jofa showroom at the San Francisco Design Center at 11 a.m. followed by a book signing of Designs on Film. Look forward to seeing you there!


Photo Credits: HBO, CBS, Banana Republic, Focus Features, ABC