It's here! My look at the Academy Award nominees of 1953 is here!
Our journey begins with the nominees for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White. Ah, yes, that era when the color line divided Costumes, Art Direction and Cinematography. It makes sense -- color really does have the edge when it comes to those first two, since it can use reds and blues and greys to make a statement.
But those black-and-white artists weren't just putzin' around, as you'll see.
JULIUS CAESAR
Cedric Gibbons/Edward C. Carfagno, art direction
Edwin B. Willis/Hugh Hunt, set decoration
****
Edwin B. Willis/Hugh Hunt, set decoration
****
Love that busts of Caesar and other great leaders sit alongside obelisks and sphinxes, a nod to that Special Relationship between the Roman emperor and Cleopatra. Also love the gnarled, lonely trees that serve as backdrops for sword deaths.
MARTIN LUTHER
Fritz Maurischat/Paul Markwitz, art direction/set decoration
****
Ah, the details -- from the spare furnishings of the holy man to the elegant trappings of the monarch, medieval trappings that look and feel lived-in, not set design. Is it the modest budget that helps make it so? Perhaps -- but talk about using your resources to your advantage!
THE PRESIDENT'S LADY
ABSTAIN
I can't even buy this off Amazon! What in the hell!
ROMAN HOLIDAY
Hal Pereira/Walter H. Tyler, art direction
***
From Peck's flophouse digs to Hepburn's regal ones, everything's on point. But I'm always iffy about a design nomination for a film that's mostly locations.
TITANIC
Maurice Ransford/Lyle R. Wheeler, art direction
Stuart A. Reiss, set decoration
*****
The elegance of that ocean liner is fully realized -- and would eventually be reused for other studio films that needed a cruise ship! Long before Cameron's ship set sail, we had this Titanic -- just as opulent and ostentatious, just as vivid, just as grand. And points, too, for that iceberg!
********************
The Academy gave this Oscar to the team from Julius Caesar. It was the tenth win for art director Cedric Gibbons, who we will discuss further next week -- after all, he was nominated thrice in the color equivalent of this category!
But while I certainly appreciate and applaud the work on Julius Caesar, I have to bestow my vote upon...
RANSFORD/WHEELER/REISS
for
TITANIC
Tomorrow, the nominees for Best Motion Picture Story: Above and Beyond, The Captain's Paradise, Little Fugitive, Roman Holiday, with a bonus detour to Hondo.
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