I couldn't help but notice the set design and costume design. The home was part french, part tudor/gothic; I thought that was an interesting combo, and apropos for the two characters residing within the space. Harold, a death obsessed teenager who wreaks havoc on his emotionally-absent socialite mumsie by concocting elaborate faux-suicide ploys in every corner of their gigantic mansion. Harold observes strangers funerals, drives a hearse, and has a general malaise in regards to life–– that is until he meets Maude. **I'm going to stop there, b/c I don't want to give the whole movie away if you haven't seen it ;)
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Vivian Pickles {Mrs. Chasen, Harold's mother} was a TOTAL KNOCKOUT!!! Look at her in the library with that fabulous greek-key turban. I carefully reviewed this scene 3x just to look at that outfit. *I am not nearly over greek-key if you haven't noticed ;)
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The film was shot in and around San Francisco––The Chasen's home is actually (in real life), The Rose Court Mansion, which belonged to George T. Cameron, a 20th century San Francisco politician. Most of the scenes were shot in the music room and the library, and the butler that appears in the film was the actual butler on the premises!
This film was released in 1971, but notice how most everything in the room could easily be used today. The soft green on the boiseries remind me of this issue of Veranda––remember that one? Gadjuzzzzz.
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Harold's sense of personal style is also remarkable. He refused to succumb to his mother's practical sensibilities, so when she did away with his prized hearse, he showed her his counter-culture soul by welding his own version of a Jaguar-hearse. **I gave Harold an air-hi-5 for this ingeniousness ;)
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The 'drawing room' with its shocking pink drapery and gothic/renaissance revival chairs.
One of the BEST scenes in the movie––I completely lost it when he pulled this prank and his guests reaction was pure cinema gold. Hilarious!
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Here, Harold is coming to deliver what he considers great news to his mother, but alas––she is disapproving yet again, and of course, preoccupied.
Her room is so feminine, soft and indulgent. Perfect for a high-brow lady, right?
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If you haven't seen Harold and Maude, I highly recommend it! Beware, though: It's kinda like a Woody Allen film, you'll either love it or hate it––but if you like satire, exuberant characters and dead-pan humor, you'll love this. Enjoy!
xoxo,
Andrea
