About the Article

Read O, The Oprah Magazine’s “You Do WHAT?” feature highlighting the Hollywood Backdrop Collection and the work of the Backdrop Recovery Project. The article introduces readers to the often-overlooked world of Hollywood scenic artists. It also explains how their monumental painted backdrops created unforgettable scenes in classic films.

The feature describes how these enormous paintings transformed soundstages into convincing landscapes, city streets, and architectural settings. They did this decades before digital effects became common. Although millions of moviegoers saw the paintings on screen, the scenic artists rarely received recognition or screen credit. As a result, the article encourages readers to appreciate both the craftsmanship and the history behind these works.

Preserving Hollywood Backdrops

The article follows Thomas A. Walsh and the Backdrop Recovery Project as they locate, identify, and preserve surviving Hollywood backdrops. In addition, it explains how hundreds of paintings were rescued after J.C. Backings began dispersing its collection. Walsh also describes the ongoing effort to catalog each backdrop and place it in museums, universities, and other permanent collections where future generations can study and enjoy it.

The article features the Mount Rushmore backdrop from North by Northwest and the Alpine landscape from The Sound of Music. Finally, it encourages readers to view Hollywood backdrops as significant works of American art as well as important pieces of film history.

Read the O, The Oprah Magazine feature “You Do WHAT?”