MovieChat Forums > The Big Clock (1948) Discussion > Greatest Art-Nouveau Furniture settings ...

Greatest Art-Nouveau Furniture settings of any movie.

posted 15 years ago by micaofboca-1
11 replies | jump to latest

The office funishings and the general architecture of the settings in this movie are nothing short of stupendous, especially for 1948. I hope Albert Speer had nothing to do with it (just kidding) since the Germans were pioneering modern industrial design, but I was blown away with the austere but monumental character of the architecture and furniture. Most of the time I'm more impressed with the musical score of a production, but this film is one-of-a-kind. Check it out with that in mind. I'm a professional custom furniture dewigner so the beauty of this aspect of The Big Clock is something I would be more tuned to reviewing than most, and believe you me, this movie has an aesthetic in-spades that I've never seen before in any other movie of the WWII era and following. The Fountainhead didn't come close to matching this attention to design, despite its being themed around design. Ayn Rand and Speer would have been kissing partners, although I detest their aesthetic, yet enjoy the austerity of the Art-Nouveau design.

[–] ange_gabb 15 years ago

Wow, after reading your post, I need to watch The Big Clock again to check out the Art Nouveau furniture. I really go in for great production values, and I'm surprised that got past me.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] AliciaHuberman59 15 years ago

Isn't it Art Moderne?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Nouveau
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streamline_Moderne

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] onepotato2 14 years ago

Not Nouveau.
It's Moderne or Deco.

Know your terms.

[–] Kareneeni 13 years ago

Art nouveau is ornate, not austere. I agree with you that the art direction in this movie was very impressive.

[–] LadyJaneGrey 13 years ago

As an authentic "professional custom furniture dewigner," it's surprising you can't differentiate between the art nouveau style and the art deco style.

As others have pointed out, nouveau is elaborate, full of sinuous lines, and art deco is more streamlined and austere.

http://www.modernsilver.com/artnouveaudeco.htm

Am I anywhere near the imaginary cliff?

[–] nutsberryfarm 7 years ago

i need a desk in that style.

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.-Albert Camus🍁

[–] dsfa2020 13 years ago

'The Woman in the Moon' (Fritz Lang 1929) had great furniture along these 'lines' (pun intended) as well. Check it out!

[–] micaofboca-836-322711 13 years ago

Checked it out dsfa. You're right. That black and white thing brings a clarity to the designs, too. I wonder if Fritz Lang had anything to do with choosing the sets. Thanks for your input. Very interesting.

[–] laxlon 7 years ago

Yes Art Moderne furniture and it is terrific. Clean modern lines unlike almost anything seen at the time in the late 1940s. The lamps and case goods as I remember them are so appealing. I don't recall seeing anything in old design magazines of the times that looked as good as these sets.

One of the best things about this already wonderful film.

"It costs extra to carve 'Schmuck' on a tombstone, but you would definitely be worth it."