Have any of you caught the recent airings of Picnic on Turner Classics? I have, and it's one of those movies that sucks you in. If you're not familiar with it, the 1955 movie stars William Holden and Kim Novak as two people in a small Midwestern town who find themselves mighty attracted to one another. One of the most famous scenes in the movie- and one of the sexiest dance scenes of all time- is when Holden and Novak share a charged dance together during the town's Fourth of July celebration. Had I been a teenager back in '55, I know that I would have been on the floor after seeing that scene. Not out of shock mind you, but because I know that I would have been wishing that I could live out that scene in real life!! Even in 2009, this movie seems to have held up pretty well.
Every time I see this scene, I'm captivated by the music and the attraction between the two characters. But the other thing that gets me are those gorgeous lanterns that were strung along the dock of the river. Those colors! The shapes! The tassels! It's so beautiful that I find myself struggling to pay attention to the acting. I'm planning a party for my sister this summer, and I've decided to string a few on my balcony for some colorful illumination. Am I trying to recreate the Picnic scene? I don't know, but I'd sure be willing to try!
I like this accordion style lantern from Pearl River. Great color combo.
The upside is that these lanterns come with LED lights that flicker. But, they lack the interesting shape and pattern that those from Picnic had.
Nothing like the movie, but this reminds me of that great Clarence House print "Flowering Quince".
This silk lantern is a bit more along the lines of those in the movie. At $19 each, a little pricey, though.
And though I don't usually include You Tube videos on my blog, here is the scene that got everybody hot and bothered fifty years ago. Just try to ignore the fact that Holden wasn't the world's best dancer:
Hi Jennifer, Have you thought about a visit to China Town in NYC, LA or SF if and when you travel to one of those meccas. Also when I was looking for lanterns for my daughter's wedding, ebay seemed to have a lot of paper lanterns. But $20.00/ea. seems like a pretty fair price with the led lights. Have a great day!!
ReplyDeleteLove the lanterns, love the clip. Wish it was warm enough for outside dancing here. I bet with an exacto knife you could order the jazzy lantern of your dreams and carefully insert one of those led "candles."
ReplyDeleteJust last year I was in a stage production of "Picnic" ... unfortunately, I wasn't William Holden, I was the hardware salesman LOL.
ReplyDeleteThe lanterns in this scene are really special and set the tone so beautifully in the scene.
I'm loving that silk one you have posted!
Mary- My sis lives in SF, so that's a great idea!
ReplyDeletePatricia- That's what I was thinking. Not so great with the exacto knife, but I'm willing to try!
ReplyDeleteTristan- The hardware salesman was an important role too! Just no dancing with Madge ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great movie, the styling that was employed to set a mood in old movies at many times seems as much a character in the movies as the actual characters. The lanterns are fabulous. This is just a great example that our surroundings have such a great effect on our moods, inspirations and outlooks! Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe playwright, William Inge, was a Kansan and the movie was filmed in Halstead, a mostly Mennonite (uber conservative) community. My husband practiced law for few years in Newton, a city close to Halstead and with a similar background. I could never reconcile the beautifully sensuous Picnic with its film site and therein lies the heartbreaking tale of the mysterious stranger, a beautiful girl, a night made for magic: all conflicting with small town values. Thank you for a little night music. It was lovely. Glad to revisit the area and even gladder I haven't lived there for over 30 years!
ReplyDeleteHome- I suppose this is why movies and books have such appeal. It's the fantasy that captivates us. Thanks for the great comment!
ReplyDeleteHa! Hollywood makes me laugh!
ReplyDeleteLove the lanterns and shall have to re-watch the movie - my idea of heaven, xv.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid my parnets had about 6 lanterns a friend brought from japan that we would hang from the ceiling in the dining room around the chandlier for birthdays - i wonder if they still have them! So pretty!
ReplyDeleteI read once that poems were written about how much happiness lanterns bring & I'd have to agree-I've always been mesmerized by the art of paper lanterns. Not only how lovely they are in moonlight, but also the ancient art of creating these beautiful sculptures with paper!
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I have always loved the music and dance scene in Picnic. There is also so much longing for love shown in flickering peeks into the souls of the younger sister and the old maid, played by Rosalind Russell.
ReplyDeleteI'm so incredibly excited about this posting. It seems, to me, very unlike you to post about a movie, and I think that it's fantastic! I haven't seen the movie, but on your recommendation will netflix it promptly. Thanks for all of the spectacularly brilliant posts! Your sister will be happy and honored with whatever decorations you chose, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteOooh...I think that last one is most definitely worth the splurge!
ReplyDeleteADORABLE lanterns!
ReplyDeleteThe soundtract was one of the best things about the movie - it's so classic and sensuous. What a scene. I hadn't remembered him being quite that handsome - God he was gorgeous. And those pointed boobs! Cracks me up! reminds me of the Madonna tour some years back - gaultier. This movie was from my youth (yes, I am that old)- old 50s and 60s greats with unrequited love and wonderful music - A Summer Place. Tearjerker!!!! my sister and I used to watch all those movies on TV and just sob together.
ReplyDeleteI have a cabanon ( a beach house close to the Mediterranean sea) and I love to hang lantern , in french we call that "Lampions" , I like the sounds of this world
ReplyDeleteI did see this movie at the peak of my teen years! I never forgot the dance scene. Sexiest scene every recorded. It wasn't until years later that I found out that I wasn't the only one swooning over this dance! Just shows you what film can mean.
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