Art Director Ray Markham provided
this photo, SURVIVOR SET (1964):
A movie
about surviving in a plane crash (in snow!)
I do remember creating this set.
I had to get a lot of information on size of plane and what
was in it; straps, seats, etc. The plane's interior
had to be shown at the beginning of the story. Of
course the most important part was the exterior of the
plane. After talking with the director, we decided
that the wings and tail wouldn't be seen. That saved
some money in the set construction. I had to design
the plane upside down as that's what happened (in the true
crash this story is based on.)
Based on my design of the set,
showing the plane upside down in the snow made it easier to
create the snow terrain around it.
Fred Hemme, head of Paint and Scenic
Department, had his crew paint some mountains in the
background and create ice-covered rocks. Big fans were
added to blow the snow for blizzard-like conditions.
In the top left of the picture you can see a circular
object. That is what's known as a "snow hopper."
As the wire drum (cage) is rotated, snow flakes fall.
I remember standing on the set and
watching the blowing snow. Not only did it cover the
set, but it was turning the entire stage into a snow storm.
Crews were ready for this and had it swept up as fast as it
fell.
Photos provide
by Ray Markham include European
Street, Beyond
the Call, Late
1940s set, Animation
Department, Survivor
Set, and Celeste
Holm.
