WILDCELT SUMMER BOOK PICK - ‘Frank Lloyd Wright in the Movies: Iconic California Sites on Film’
BY MARK WILSON
No American architect has had as much influence on the American film industry as Frank Lloyd Wright. For nearly a century, his buildings have been used as settings, backdrops, or inspiration for an amazing array of American films, from such popular movies as Blade Runner, Rush Hour, and North by Northwest, to cult favorites like Gattaca, Permanent Midnight, and George Lucas' first feature film THX1138. His buildings have also been used in some popular TV series based on Hollywood films such as Westworld and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. My new book "Frank Lloyd Wright in The Movies" is the first book to explore this remarkable legacy. It includes 120 color and black and white images from these films and all of the Wright buildings in California where these films and TV series were set. There is also information on Wright's friendship with Walt Disney and his influence on Alfred Hitchcock. My book also describes the controversies that surrounded some of these films. In addition, it explains how important social and cultural issues were addressed in several of these films, issues which are still quite relevant today. These include: female independence and empowerment in "Female"(1933), the after math of possible nuclear war in "Five" (1951), sexual freedom and gender identity in "Summer Place" (1959), the dangers arising from unregulated AI in Terminal Man (1974) and The Thirteenth Floor (1999), an authoritarian future government in THX1138 (1971) and Gattaca (1997), race relations and tensions in a big American city in Grand Canyon (1991), and the devastating effects of drug addiction in Permanent Midnight (1998).
Wildcelt followers know I'm a true cinéaste, in addition I'm an enthusiast of set design in film. In 'Frank Lloyd Wright in the Movies' Mark masterfully fuses architectural insight with the enduring allure of cinema. He offers his readers a detailed look into the interiors of homes and spacial narratives that have shaped some of his showcased films most iconic moments. With his discerning eye & passion for both design and storytelling, he reveals how architecture in the movies is more than just a backdrop ~ It creates a pairing of character, mood and meaning. This is an innovative approach revealing where the visionary design of Frank Lloyd Wright meets classic storytelling. A must-read for lovers of architecture, film and the powerful places where they meet.
~ Ruth Bright Carroll / owner of Wildcelt.com
The Movies in Frank Loyd Wright
The object of the author in writing this book, which he accomplishes so well, is to show that two seemingly disparate subjects, Frank Lloyd Wright and movies, are in fact quite complimentary of each other. He does this in a manner that is both entertaining and reveals insights that most readers might not have thought of. A real tour de force since he possesses a detailed knowledge of both Frank Lloyd Wright and movies that verges on a passion.The author’s implicit theme is that Frank Lloyd Wright's peerless abilities as an architect include those of a showman and a dramatist, sometimes in subtle ways, at other times not subtle at all. Even when he designs a structure that is intended to be integral with its surroundings, there is no doubt at all that it has Wright’s unique stamp on it. And that unique stamp is a visual appeal that always has elements of the dramatic to it. In turn, such a sense of the dramatic is like catnip to purveyors of the dramatic arts in the movie industry. In many instances when set researchers look for a place to “set the mood”, they find the mood innately built into a Frank Lloyd Wright creation. Hence, the strong nexus between Frank Lloyd Wright and the movie industry; seven of the houses he built in California have been used as a movie set at least once. One (the Ennis House overlooking Hollywood)) has been used thirteen times.The book is entertaining and informative in so many ways because it presents specifics about several movies including locations, plots, directors, and actors. For those readers whose interest in the plethora of facts presented is further piqued, there is an extensive bibliography to reference.In closing, mention should be made of the physical book itself. Officially designated a paperback, its overall quality is as good or better than many hardcover books, with thick glossy pages and numerous photographs, many in color. It has a tactile quality that makes it pleasant to hold.
~ A.M. Johnson
The Charles Ennis House in the Hollywood Hills used as a location for over a dozen feature films...Photo by Joel Puliatti
The Della Walker House ~ This was one of Wright's Usonian-style houses adapted to a beach setting. It was a location for the 1959 movie, 'A Summer Place'. Photo by Joel Puliatti
Richard Egan, Troy Donahue and Sandra Dee outside 'The Walker House' during the filming of 'A Summer Place'. Photo credit: Bison Archives
Poster from the 1959 film, 'House on Haunted Hill', showing Vincent price and his 'haunted house', which vaguely resembles the Ennis House where the movie was filmed. Photo credit: Bison Archives
The upper corridor of the Marin County Civic Center Administration Building, the only government facility designed by Wright that was ever built. Photo by Joel Puliatti
Scene from the 1997 film Gattaca with Ethan Hawke walking along the upper corridor of the main hallway of the Marin County Civic Center Administration Building. Photo credit: Bison Archives
Scene from Alfred Hitchcock's 1959 thriller, North by Northwest with Cary Grant walking toward the home of the arch villain Phillip Vandamm. The story behind it's creation surprises many viewers. Photo credit: Bison Archives
Poster from 1951 movie, 'Bwana Devil' the first feature-length color 3-D film, which was produced by Arch Oboler while he lived at his Malibu compound. Photo credit: Bison Archives
By Peter DAMM
By Lily Summer
A book in English and French for young children about Beau the Cat, who loves to eat and who wants to go to France and so has to learn French in order to be able to ask for food. The beginning of a series about Beau the Cat who plans to travel the world. A nice way for kids to help them to become bilingual. The titles will also appear in other languages.
Her book is available in French, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish. Click here to buy the book.
Lily is an experienced, qualified teacher and she offers specialized Zoom lessons at all levels in French, Spanish, Latin, and preparation for the AP French exam. Feel free to reach out to Lisa babel_lisa@yahoo.com
Lily Summer's an experienced teacher, French native, provides private language classes in French (included preparation to AP French), in Spanish and in Latin all ages, all levels. Initiation to Mandarin and to Chinese Calligraphy. I had the good fortune to be tutored by Lily when I was experiencing difficulties in learning conversational French. After a few private sessions, Lily was able to get me speaking French with accuracy & confidence. Within a few months, I was able to travel to Paris & have several delightful conversations with the Parisians..I highly recommend her ~ Ruth Carroll, Owner of Wildcelt.com
Featuring Bay Area Author Kate McVaugh - Travels Around The World
Kate has lived and traveled to all of the intriguing places in her books. Her books are light, amusing mysteries,
My personal favorite, ‘The Curse Breaker of Cairo, features a rather X-Rated Paranormal Romance set in exotic Egypt - Kate’s, The Many Wonders of Costa Contente is set in sultry Latin America With a Magical-Realism Theme .
