MovieChat Forums > Scaramouche (1952) Discussion > Matte Effects are Topnotch

Matte Effects are Topnotch

posted 12 years ago by dmdiamond
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I wanted to point out that this film does have use of incredible "matting" special effects before the days of CGI existed..Most notably in two important sequences..The final duel sequence in the theather where the upper balcony level appears to be filled with guest - you can see little flickers of lights that is supposed to represent people movement...The people are all painted on glass..

Also in the French national assembly sequence the entire ceiling looks like Versailles - I would bet that its also an image painted on glass...Shows MGM special effects work at their finest.

[–] JackBluegrass 8 years ago

Don't be sure about matte shots in that long theatre dueling scene.

In the Warner DVD special features, Mel Ferrer says he was a dancer who had to learn to fence, while Grainger was a fencer, having studied it in England. Mel said fencing while standing on a narrow balcony railing fearful of falling on extras, actors, and actresses standing below was scary. I doubt that a matte was involved. Just very careful planning to prevent injury to anyone. The lush sets - characteristic of a big MGM effort by Cedric Gibbons - are really impressive.

The national assembly scene probably did employ a matte for the ceiling. And, there were probably others.

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