There are
many iconic subjects that depict the art of matte paintings. Probably a castle or fortress on the top of a
hill could be the most popular. Apart from other all time matte subjects, the jumping
of a huge spectacular chasm has been without a doubt one of the frequent topic
under request for matte painters.
We’ve seen
people jumping gorges since the silent era. That’s a small overview of some of those
great exciting moments of magic on the screen.
1929 Tide
of empire MGM.
Warren Newcombe
was working at MGM matte department since 1925, I guess he must be involved on
that shot. Maybe also Ferdinand Pinney Earle who was painting mattes for MGM
during the 20´S.
1935. She RKO
Pictures
1936 Santa Fe
Produced by
Reliable Pictures Corporation, there is not VFX credit of any kind. And I don’t have any
idea who could have painted that.
1944. Ali Babá and the Forty thieves. Universal
Pictures
John Fulton
was credited as photographic effects. Russell Lawson was head of Universal
matte department at that time, and probably with John De Cuir as matte painter assistant.
1948. Man from Texas VFX Jack Rabin.
Jack Rabin
got credit as matte effects. That film is before he tamed up with Irving Block to supply VFX for low budget
films. Rabin worked in several FX
department from Selznick, Warner bros and T.C. Fox dong miniatures, opticals
and matte paintings. After joined
with Block, most of the matte painting
work was done by his partner.
1953.
Rob
Roy: The highland Rogue. Disney production.
Matte paintings by Peter Ellenshaw made at Elstree Studios in London
1954 . Passion.
RKO. Pictures
No FX
credit but probably Albert Maxwell Simpson, who was working for RKO during
those years.
1957. Zorro rides into terror (TV series Zorro) Disney
Peter
Ellenshaw was in charge of the matte paintings.
1957. Zorro
secret passage (TV series Zorro) Disney
Again mattes by Peter Ellenshaw.
1962.
Taras
Bulba. United artist .
Although it was Russell Lawson credited on that
film, and he was responsible for most of the matte paintings on that show, Albert
Whitclock was commissioned by Howard Anderson Company to execute the paintings for
the gorge horse jumping.
1964
Cheyenne
No FX credit
on that film, but probably the matte work was by Lou Lichtenfield head
of matte paintings at Warner Studios.
1972. Evil Roy
Slade Universal Pictures
Albert Whitlock credited as head of matte department at Universal Studios.
1986
Solarbabies VFX by Boos film Studios.
Veteran matte artist Mat Yuricich was supervisor of matte paintings with Michelle Moen as matte
assistant.
Roco Gioffre, former Yuricich assistant, was responsible for those matte paintings.
There are much
more matte paintings on that jumping issue. That was just a representative small
selection.