Although I was going to do the third part in my ‘Mattes Up Close’ series I figured I’d take a breather for a bit as those big blog articles are quite a job to put together, and I do have a number of semi-prepared one off blogs which have been sitting on the back burner for a while now. I’ll still publish that Up Close blog though I’ll clear the decks of some other pressing retrospectives first. Among the films I’ ll be focusing on will be three major effects shows from MGM – all of which were celebrated showcases for studio legends A.Arnold Gillespie and Warren Newcombe.
First up will be a look back at the effects work from the 1955 FORBIDDEN PLANET which have made that film so endearing to legions of fans the world over. Following this I’ll do a retro on one of my all time favourite war films, the brilliant 1944 visual effects Oscar winner 30 SECONDS OVER TOKYO and finally the over looked 1940 Clark Gable-Spencer Tracy oil drilling actioner BOOM TOWN, which is in a class of it’s own effects wise, though lost out in the Oscar that year (and, no…I’m not grieved, as shocking as that may read to some, as that was THE toughest collection of competitors ever that year).
so on with the blog…….The visual effects of FORBIDDEN PLANET…William Shakespeare in outer space…
…Read the Full Article @ Matte Shot
A Tribute to Golden Era Special FX
This blog is intended as a tribute to the ingenuity of the traditional matte painter where movie magic was created entirely by hand. Some of the shots will amaze in their grandeur and epic quality while others will surprise in their ‘invisibility’ to even the sophisticated viewer. I hope this collection will serve as an appreciation of the artform and both casual visitors and those with a specialist interest may benefit, enjoy and be amazed at skills largely unknown today
This site is over 15 years old and I have gone further back into the archives of Matte Shot – A Tribute to Golden Era Special FX to feature even more articles from this great site, so please, like me, I hope you enjoy this wonderful journey.
PJ Max