THE ORIGIN OF THE FAIRY CASTLE
http://www.msichicago.org/exhibit/fairy_castle/history1.htm
Colleen Moore was always fascinated by dolls
and doll houses. She owned several elaborate doll houses as a child, but
later in life her father, Charles Morrison, suggested that she should pursue
her passion for miniatures and doll houses by creating the "doll house"
of her dreams. Her position as one of the most popular actresses in Hollywood
gave her the resources to produce a "Fairy Castle" of fantastic proportions.
Begining in 1928, Moore enlisted the help of many talented professionals
to help her realize her vision. Horace Jackson was an architect and set
designer who worked for First National Studios. Jackson created the floor
plan and layout of the castle with this basic idea, "The architecture
must have no sense of reality. We must invent a structure that is everybody's
conception of an enchanted castle." Moore also enlisted the help of art
director and interior designer Harold Grieve. Grieve had designed the interiors
for Moore's real-life mansion, so he was a natural to create the interiors
of her fantasy castle. By 1935 over 700 individuals had lent their expertise
including surgical instrument lighting specialists, Beverly Hills jewelers
and Chinese jade craftsmen. The price tag for this 8'7" x 8'2" x 7'7" foot
palace containing over 2000 miniatures was nearly $500,000.
Room
Tour
|
