Two British
films from 1949. Kind Hearst and coronets
and the Queen of spades.
What they
have in common, apart from the year is the same art director, William Kellner.
The first
film was an Ealing Studios Production, with Sydney Pearson credited for Special
effects and Geoffrey Dickinson for process and matte painting effects.
There is
some wonderful miniatures like that riverside landscape with a painted backing.
All miniature included the small boat with parasol.
A matte
painting of the upper part and ceiling for the scene of the trial of peers at
the House of Lords.
Although
this Blog is focused to matte painting, as a big fan to make up effects I can’t
miss the opportunity to show some make up work by Harry Frampton on one of my
favourites actors, Alec Guinness.
Not much
matte paintings today, sorry. For Queen
of spades, there is only a wonderful foreground miniature to show. There
was no FX credited, so I have to assume that art director was responsible for
that trick. As interesting data, Ken
Adam worked as draughtsman at the art department.
At the
first look it doesn’t look like a trick shot, but a complete and full building.
With unbalanced
light, the trick is revealed.
