1941: The Special Visual Effects

Here’s the latest from the Archives of Matte Shot …

So, as an event film, before event films became commonplace, 1941 very much invokes the flavour of films such as IT’S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD (1963) with hit or miss mixed results. John Milius is a film maker and screenwriter I much admire (whose various interviews and commentaries over the years are always well worth paying attention to), and with co-writers Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis concocted a wild, rollercoaster ride of noisy slapstick mayhem – perhaps too much so – all very loosely based upon an apparent actual incident in Los Angeles where a mild state of panic may have ensued when reports of possible or imagined sightings of Japanese off the Californian coastline. Director Steven Spielberg assembled a large crew and commenced pre-production as far back as 1977 right after CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE 3rd KIND. With the vast and worthy success of JAWS, the director was afforded an open door (and cheque book) to whatever project his heart desired. Amid the large cast were a number of standouts, often amongst the lesser known players, especially the vastly under rated Treat Williams – so brilliant in Sidney Lumet’s corrupt cop masterpiece PRINCE OF THE CITY (1982). Bobby Di Cicco, Dianne Kay, Nancy Allen and Tim Matheson also shine amid veterans such as Robert Stack, Slim Pickens and the great Warren Oates. The film isn’t especially funny, sadly. 1941 is of the school that thinks the louder it is the funnier it is…. Not so. While it’s certainly entertaining (though the extended BluRay edition just goes on a might too long) I found enormous appeal in a few of the least likely of places, such as the wonderfully choreographed dishwashing sequence near the start in Dub Taylor’s diner kitchen; the table top Gene Kelly routine with a cleverly utilised dance/stunt double substituting a principal player at key moments in a tremendous routine – and all in one uninterrupted take – and also I loved the extended Jitterbug sequence in the USO club. Terrific stuff that almost made me forget about the eternally irritating Eddie Deezen…

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Matte Shot – a tribute to Golden Era & Traditional Special Effects is a tribute to the artistry and ingenuity of traditional matte painters, this collection celebrates the hand‑crafted movie magic that once shaped cinema — from grand, epic vistas to invisible effects even seasoned viewers might miss. It’s designed for both casual fans and dedicated enthusiasts, offering a renewed appreciation for skills largely forgotten today. I’ve also reached deeper into the Matte Shot archives to bring even more of this remarkable work forward, and I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I do.