For Hollywood Backdrops, a Happy Ending

The Los Angeles Times article “For Hollywood Backdrops, a Happy Ending” by Mary McNamara tells the story of how the Art Directors Guild’s Backdrop Recovery Project saved more than 200 historic Hollywood backdrops from disposal. Production designer Tom Walsh, JC Backings president Lynne Coakley, and scenic art educator Karen Maness led the effort to catalog these paintings and place them in museums, universities, and cultural institutions.

The article explains how painted backdrops helped filmmakers create convincing worlds long before digital technology. Scenic artists painted city skylines, landscapes, historic landmarks, and imaginary settings that expanded the boundaries of studio sets. As filmmaking changed, studios discarded many of these paintings. However, the Backdrop Recovery Project recognized their artistic and historical value and worked to preserve them.

McNamara also highlights backdrops from films including Ben-Hur (1959), The Sound of Music (1965), North by Northwest (1959), Forbidden Planet (1956), Singin’ in the Rain (1952), and The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968). Many of these works now serve as teaching tools, museum exhibits, and research resources. Others continue to inspire scenic artists and designers today.

Finally, the article reminds readers that these paintings are more than movie props. They represent the craftsmanship, collaboration, and creativity that shaped Hollywood’s Golden Age. Because preservationists rescued them, these monumental works continue to educate and inspire new audiences.

Read the Full Article

Read Mary McNamara’s Los Angeles Times feature, “For Hollywood Backdrops, a Happy Ending,” to learn how more than 200 historic Hollywood backdrops were preserved through the Backdrop Recovery Project and given new life in museums, universities, and cultural institutions.