Mattes Maketh the Musical
Here’s the latest from the Archives of Matte Shot …
I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for the grand Hollywood musical of days gone by, with a palpable sense of glamour, amazing on screen talent and nostalgia presenting a larger than life realm so strongly reminiscent of ‘the good old days’, when folks left their doors unlocked and the key in the car ignition, and kids could walk alone to school without fear of becoming a picture on a milk carton. The Fred Astaire’s, Gene Kelly’s, Donald O’Connor’s and Doris Day’s of yesteryear were really something else and commanded a phenomenal – an deserving – screen presence.
Today I’ll be celebrating a great many matte shots from these classic musicals, with a wide selection of wonderful hand painted matte trick shots. Although I’ve searched far and wide across the many studios on both sides of the Atlantic, it’ll probably come as little surprise to see that a significant proportion of mattes here featured in Metro Goldwyn Mayer pictures as musicals were largely their bread and butter, as horror, gangsters, war and hard nosed social narratives were certainly not Louis B. Mayer’s cup of tea.
So, without further ado, let us take another of our magical matte journeys, this time back to those glamourous days of glittering neons, classic era theatre frontages and all manner of trick shots made possible by the unsung heroes of the matte department.
Enjoy…
…Read the Full Article @ Matte Shot…
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.
