By Jan Wahl–
One of the most fascinating, lovely men I ever knew was Jacques Mapes. Google his name and you will see that he is most often listed as a film producer, with glittering photos of Jacques dancing and hanging out with classic stars. But I knew him as the fifty-year partner of legendary producer Ross Hunter and set decorator for Singin’ in the Rain.
He and Ross came from a place of denial of being gay in public, always opting for two female friends to be their “beards.” One of those was Nancy Barbato Sinatra, the mother of singer Nancy Sinatra (“These Boots Are Made for Walkin’”) and the first wife of Frank. Even on a cruise we took together, Ross and Jacques put on the straight act, though their love was apparent to everyone. They were a power couple in Hollywood of the fifties and sixties, After dumping boyfriends Tyrone Power and Errol Flynn, they never looked back. With Jacques being the quiet partner of the two, they coproduced Thoroughly Modern Millie, Airport, Flower Drum Song, Imitation of Life, Magnificent Obsession, and many other films.
Jacques allowed me the pleasure of interviewing him many times. One of his favorite stories concerned him scouring the MGM lot for props to use while shooting Singin’ in the Rain. He found authentic lamps, vases, furniture, microphones, mirrors, and more from the actual time the movie was set in, 1929. Watch for this authenticity the next time you view the classic musical. He worked closely with the production designers and costume designers. Everyone wanted to work with Jacques. He passed away on my birthday at the age of 88, just as we were going on another cruise together. I miss him.
All of this brings to mind the hardworking production designers who make movies richer for us. This year the nominees for Oscar in this category are period, sci fi, horror (bone chilling Transylvanian castles), fantasy, and current. It probably will be The Brutalist or Wicked, the others being Dune 2, Nosferatu, and Conclave.
The first Dune won this category in 2021, but voters will most likely go for Wicked. Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales’ new spin may remind members that the original Wizard of Oz lost the fold to Gone With the Wind in 1939. Crowley and Sandales had over 9 million tulip bulbs planted in Munchkinland, and employed one thousand construction workers on London backlots around a giant water tank so students could arrive at Shiz University via boat. Crowley, a six-time nominee and longtime Christopher Nolan collaborator, drew on the grandeur of the 1893 World’s Fair for Oz.
Judy Becker and Patricia Cuccia reflected an architect’s trauma and resilience in The Brutalist. Claustrophobic rooms evoke concentration camp bunkers. The starkness versus the opulence of buildings may bring them the Oscar. Two other amazing designers, Suzie Davies and Cynthia Sleiter, recreated the Sistine Chapel for Conclave. Though we often focus on stars and gowns, we should take a deep dive into visual artistry. When you look at the films mentioned here or your own favorites, even streaming or on a phone, try to notice backgrounds, props, and every behind-the-scenes aspect of the magic of good filmmaking.
Jacques used to rave about the use of historically authentic props and furnishing in my favorite version of Pride and Prejudice starring Lawrence Olivier and Greer Garson. The power of design is in every frame. It was called art direction back in 1940, and nobody did it better than Cedric Gibbins. Check out An American in Paris, Gaslight, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and Lust for Life for proof. He brought art deco into many designs, working closely with renowned artist and designer Erté, and was nominated for 39 Oscars, winning eleven. There’s a gorgeous coffee table book on his work: MGM Style, Cedric Gibbins by Howard Gutner.
And, by the way: next time you hear my favorite quote from Elizabeth Taylor—“Without gays and lesbians, there’d be no Hollywood”—remember that designers of all types led to places where LGBTQ artists and technicians could safely land. These folks may have been in the closet, but at least they were there!
Jan Wahl is a Hollywood historian and film critic on various broadcast outlets. She has two Emmys and many awards for her longtime work on behalf of film buffs and the LGBTQ community. Contact her at www.janwahl.com
Off the Wahl
Published on February 27, 2025
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