Living in a modern way in The Moon is Blue (1953, Otto Preminger): mid-century modern architecture, interiors, and furniture. (4th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kirkham, Pat
• Is Part Of: Interiors. Volume 10:Number 1/2(2019)
• Page Start: 103
• Page End: 122
• Publication Date: 2019-05-04
• Subjects: The Moon is Blue (1953 -- Otto Preminger) -- set design -- Nicholai Remisoff -- Edward G. Boyle -- promoting modern living -- furniture and interiors -- loans from Charles and Ray Eames -- Eero Saarinen; Interior decoration -- Periodicals; Interior architecture -- Periodicals; 747.05
• DOI: 10.1080/20419112.2019.1671652
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-9112

Abstract

Abstract : This article focuses on The Moon is Blue (1953, Otto Preminger), a light-hearted romantic comedy starring Maggie McNamara as an aspiring young actor, Patty O'Neill, and William Holden as architect Donald Gresham. The first Hollywood movie largely set inside a high-end Mid-Century Modern domestic interior, it features some top-quality machine mass-produced furniture by leading US designers and manufacturers. After considering the design production team, I discuss the ways in which the film promotes the furniture and the performance of modern ways of living. I also discuss how the film uses the interiors in a neighbouring apartment as a counterpoint to that of Gresham.