MovieChat Forums > The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) Discussion > PUZZLING MAKEUP

PUZZLING MAKEUP

posted 18 years ago by bok602
3 replies | jump to latest

Did this bother anybody else?

For most of the early quarter of the movie (and during parts of his scenes in the cellar) Grant Williams is made up with (if this had been a color film) what I would say is a heavy bronzer for no apparent reason.

In the scenes on the boat it comes across as a really poor (makeup) man's attempt at a sun tan; but when it reappears later in the cellar it becomes visually distracting and invalidates the suntan theory.

Can anyone provide any insight or explanation?

FYI: I've also heard that the same inexplicable dark skin makeup was used on THEM as well, but that was on the full cast when it was supposed to have had a 3-D sequence (or something like that); although I wasn't aware that 3-D required darker makeup.

"If you don't know the answer -change the question."

[–] bok602 17 years ago

Bump.

Or actually, nudge-nudge...since nobody seems to have noticed my question.

"If you don't know the answer -change the question."

[–] The-Silent-Photoplayer 17 years ago

I always assumed that the make-up was trying to invoke dirt or grime. I don't think he had access to washing himself while he was in the cellar.

By the way, THEM! was planned to be in 3-D and color, but it was dropped to black and white and widescreen at the last second. The make-up is coincidental, and 3-D photography did not necessitate any special make-up.

-J. Theakston
http://centraltheater.blogspot.com

[–] bok602 17 years ago

The grime theory would work if it were just in the cellar scenes, but the bronzer look also shows up when he gets dusted on the boat and later in some of the doll house scenes.

With regards to THEM, the strange makeup is restricted (or perhaps only noticeable) to the sandstorm attack scene, where they're all wearing those goggles and the old professor talks of a Biblical prophecy come true...

"If you don't know the answer -change the question."