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Yes, it’s that time of year again when I need to pull into a layby and take stock.
I’ll be back soon to continue my journey with more musings, stories and observations on design, architecture, films, words, art, fashion, theatre, people, history music and anything else that passes through my head. Stay sober.
It is good to see that someone has a bit of humor aimed at Renzo Piano's towering phallus...
Go on try it. It's nice.
This is Edward McKnight Kauffer…
And this is a classic piece of his work…
He was one of the first clutch of Honorary Royal Designers back in 1936. Born in Montana, he studied in San Francisco and Paris and came to London in 1914. In 1915 he was commissioned by Frank Pick at London Transport. From that time he became one of the most influential designers working in Britain embracing posters, theatre costume, exhibition designs, murals, book illustrations, carpets and textiles. If you haven’t already, you have until the 18th December to see a delightful exhibition of his work at the Estorick Collection in London’s Islington.
Welcome. As regular readers of this blog will know I am a life long aficionado of cinema. I intend to offer each week, a film that has left an impression on me during my many cinematic forays since 1950’s childhood.
So I hope that the cineastes among you will find some surprises in my somewhat eclectic selection. My first synchronises with the UK release of The Awakening, a spooky tale set in a rambling, ghost inhabited boarding school.
Back in 1961 a far more superior work in this spine-tinkling genre was released. The Innocents...
starring Deborah Kerr was based on Henry James’s short story The Turn of the Screw and directed by Jack Clayton, one of my favorite British directors and a master of eking out fantastic performances from young children.
The sumptuous black and white, highly atmospheric, cinematography was by the great Freddie Francis who uses deep focus shots throughout the film.
Have a little taster of the mood here.
Jack Clayton’s work on The Innocents greatly influenced another in the chiller department, The Haunting 1963 directed by Robert Wise with some sterling cinematography by Davis Boulton.
Compare these 2 scenes.
The Innocents here and The Haunting here.
Both films are perfect for late night viewing when the wind is howling, fire crackling and clock quietly ticking.
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