The Unsolvable Riddle Behind a Vital Scene in an 80-Year-Old Romantic Comedy

VFX artists were left puzzled by the closing scene of The Palm Beach Story, as it was achieved without motion control technology which was not yet available during the film's production in 1942. The romantic comedy tells the story of Tom Jeffers (Joel McCrea) and Gerry Jeffers (Claudette Colbert), a married couple who go on a wild adventure in Palm Beach after facing financial troubles and splitting up. Despite its initial reception, the screwball comedy has since gained recognition as a comedic American classic. However, the Corridor Crew were stumped by a particular shot during their analysis of the film.

The scene that begins at around 10:25 features a wedding with two sets of twins, creating a duplication effect. However, the real mystery lies in the camera movement, which starts off still and gradually picks up speed before coming to a precise halt. Regrettably, there is no information available on how this shot was achieved. One artist speculated that a pulley system may have been used, but the true method remains unknown.

Films That Were Ahead Of Their Time With Special Effects

Considering the film was made in 1942, it's remarkable that The Palm Beach Story was able to achieve an effect similar to motion control, which is now a common technique in filmmaking. It's always fascinating to discover special effects in older movies that still impress modern-day VFX artists. The Ten Commandments, released in 1956, is a prime example of a film that utilized practical effects to create stunning visuals, such as the depiction of Moses parting the Red Sea, which still hold up today.

The film, The Indian in the Cupboard, released in 1995, demonstrates techniques that even modern films are struggling to perfect. VFX artists were amazed by the scene where a small figurine comes to life and walks from a cupboard into a boy's hand. Despite being a composite scene, the attention to detail is exceptional, making for a stunningly realistic shot. This film paved the way for modern films to explore innovative ways to change VFX, such as Birdman in 2014, which used natural footage instead of a green screen. The use of LED volume stages in The Mandalorian and House of the Dragon have also contributed to astounding visuals. The impact of films ahead of their time, dating back to 1942, has been profound in the field of VFX, proving the value of revisiting and learning from the work of older films.

Source: Corridor Crew