Art Deco Extraordinaire


Funny, I haven't seen one mention of the fabulous building itself. From the first scene with the sunlight streaming through the futuristic lobby I knew I was looking at something culled from the imagination of the master, Cedric Gibbons. I'm watching it on demand right now but paused to see where the film was shot or if such a building existed. Sadly it seems to have only in Mr. Gibbons mind. I wouldn't mind standing in line anywhere if I could look at incredible interior design like the teller windows. I'm obviously a fan of art deco design and try to watch anything that features the style. So far this one is keeping me gasping at every turn.

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Absolutely. Hadn't seen the film in at least 15 years, and caught it on TCM the other day. Forgot completely that it was an excellent pre-code film. But also noticed the Deco is some of the best ever committed to celluloid. Beyond the building itself, some of the details were very cool -- the teller's windows at the bank, the doors in Dwight's apartment, some of the table pieces, etc. I often wonder what the hell happened to all that stuff ultimately. Obviously it sat around in the studio's prop department for a long time, then, sadly, probably got tossed.

BTW, if you like Deco on film, if you've not seen it, try to watch Madam Satan (1930). Not only another great pre-code film, but there's a party held on a moored zeppelin!

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Oops, I posted twice accidentally and it won't delete.

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I was just up to the part with the tellers when I came here, they were the ultimate. You're right, everything had deco details, the doors, clocks, lighting, the floors in the lobby. One of my favorite things that C.G. was known for are the metal stripes on everything. I'm moving soon and hope to do a room with that effect. It probably won't be metal but I think we'll be able to produce a close facsimile. I wonder where it went too? I used to live in W. Hollywood before the street Western became flooded with antique stores, there were a few that specialised in used furniture much that came from the giant Bekins Bldg. The things that were coming out were stored 50 years ago and forgotten. I didn't have the room for it but I would stop by every week just to see what they discovered. I think a lot came from the mansions that were purchased during the golden age but as money dried up for many, they stored their precious possessions hoping to retrieve them someday. I still remember certain items that to this day I've never seen anything as fine in any antique store. I appreciate the tip about the movie and I will watch it asap. I don't know if this would be something you are interested in, but it touches on the subject of what happened to all the props. It's on YouTube and it's called Looking or Searching for the Ruby Slippers or something similar. It's a documentary that's about an hour long, it shouldn't be hard to find. It was so engrossing my husband and I watched it two times in two days. Thank You,

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Yeah, I saw that doc a few years ago. Very well done. Funny. I lived with a cousin in N. Hollywood for a few months many moons ago when I was considering moving to CA. I remember a few antique places that specialized in Deco. Names and exact locations, however, are lost to memory. I Think one was in Ventura, another downtown, another might've been W. Hollywood. All 3 were pretty large but one was enormous and filled with unbelievably great Deco, most of which I've never seen anywhere else. Unfortunately most of it was furniture and cringe-inducing pricey for even back then. I did, however, pick up a few small pieces reasonably.

You room sounds like it would be very cool.

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I agree with all the commenters above.

To me, the studio that really specialized in Art Deco sets - with its so-called "BWS" [Big White Sets] - was RKO, created by its art director, Van Nest Polglase. Carroll Clark, Perry Ferguson, and other creative art department personnel contributed to their successes.

Art Deco style was really highlighted by black and white photography, common in 1930s Hollywood. Would Astaire and Rogers be as well known today without those brilliant sets to play upon? Only you know the answer.

E pluribus unum

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