Famed aficionado and “Forbidden Planet” paraphernalia archivist Malone provided an insider’s look at the making of the iconic film. Longergan’s passion for set design led him to overextend the movie’s budget without regard for financial limitations. Malone recounts the story as:
“Under Cedric Gibbons’ supervision, who managed all the art directors, Arthur Lonergan was left to handle the art direction for “Forbidden Planet”. Recognizing a golden chance, Lonergan envisioned and began constructing sets that were well beyond the allocated budget. By the time the financial department noticed, the elaborate sets were already halfway finished.”
This strategic move by Lonergan put MGM in a tight spot — it was more economical to complete the half-finished sets than to dismantle them and start anew. Regardless of their initial reluctance, MGM continued the production. Leslie Nielsen, one of the stars of “Forbidden Planet”, recounted the magnitude of the sets, including a detailed, nearly full-scale flying saucer that was grandly lowered from the ceiling by a massive mechanism.
Ultimately, the film’s grandeur paid off, as “Forbidden Planet” garnered close to $3 million at the box office and marked its place as a historic milestone in film history.
FAQs About The Making of Forbidden Planet’s Sets
Q: Who was the art director responsible for the elaborate sets of “Forbidden Planet”?
A: Arthur Lonergan was the art director who took charge of creating the elaborate sets for “Forbidden Planet”.
Q: What was MGM’s reaction to the over-budget set constructions?
A: MGM was initially taken aback by the expensive set constructions but opted to complete them, as tearing them down would have been more costly.
Q: Did the investment in the elaborate sets pay off for MGM?
A: Yes, the film’s investment ultimately paid off as “Forbidden Planet” became a significant success at the box office, making almost $3 million.
Q: What is one of the most memorable set pieces from “Forbidden Planet” described by Leslie Nielsen?
A: Nielsen specifically mentioned the nearly life-size flying saucer that was dramatically lowered to the ground from the ceiling.
Conclusion
The story of how “Forbidden Planet” came to have its elaborate and expensive sets is a testament to the creativity and guile of its art director, Arthur Lonergan. Despite financial overreach, the bold decision to build ambitious sets halfway before raising the studio’s objection secured the continuation and eventual completion of the project. This gamble not only created spectacular visuals for the film but also ensured that “Forbidden Planet” would leave its mark on cinematic history, proving that sometimes, a bit of trickery and a lot of audacity can indeed lead to extraordinary outcomes.