tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post2114409784184613421..comments2024-02-05T21:23:49.249-08:00Comments on Lady Eve's Reel Life: Lyle Wheeler - Setting the SceneThe Lady Evehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-53099941356343348202018-07-24T14:26:54.010-07:002018-07-24T14:26:54.010-07:00Hello Carla, my name is Riccardo De Franceschi, I ...Hello Carla, my name is Riccardo De Franceschi, I am a typeface designer from Milan/London. <br /><br />I am investigating the work of a lettering artist that I believe drew the opening titles for a large number of movies art directed by your Grandfather between 1947/1957. <br /><br />I have reached a dead end in my research, and I was wondering if I could possibly drop you an email with a couple of questions, please? <br /><br />Many many thanks in advance, <br />Riccardo Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07172693483860865375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-13092535832790732222017-02-05T02:54:36.841-08:002017-02-05T02:54:36.841-08:00Hi Carla
My name is Mark Wheeler and think Lyle w...Hi Carla<br /><br />My name is Mark Wheeler and think Lyle was my great uncle. My dad Taylor Ray Wheeler mentioned him several time in my youth. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09322338541797761120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-9575199485181898122014-05-06T21:19:15.515-07:002014-05-06T21:19:15.515-07:00Brooke Wheeler and his son Justin were at La Senor...Brooke Wheeler and his son Justin were at La Senora Research Institute yesterday celebrating Cinco de Mayo with us, but more importantly sharing with our guests Lyle Wheeler's life and work during the time that the family lived at the Mojica Hacienda in SM Canyon.....those were happy, productive years when Oscars were on the table. Lyle had purchased the Hacienda from Anita's Loos' niece and throughout subsequent owners both he and the Loos' remained friends with new owners. A most memorable evening was a dinner party with King Vidor, Lyle Wheeler and Jeff Berg (the agent for virtually all of the stars of GWTW plus the cinematographer) as they told "War Stories" about Old Hollywood. Those days are recaptured whenever one of Lyle's films is screen in La Senora's 55 seat 1930s theater. What a time that was to be in Hollywood! Check out www.lasenora.org for additional info. PSNhttp://www.lasenora.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-90394479260567831642013-11-28T22:08:42.058-08:002013-11-28T22:08:42.058-08:00As so often happens, when it gets down to making a...As so often happens, when it gets down to making a profit, integrity goes out the window.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-53076171978767422902013-11-28T21:49:39.291-08:002013-11-28T21:49:39.291-08:00Anne Frank was purchased by an individual who had ...Anne Frank was purchased by an individual who had money and admired Lyle's work and he donated it back to the Motion Picture Museum so it could be enjoyed by all. We do not know where the others are. Lyle's family tried to collectively purchase the Oscars from the purchasers of the box sold by the storage facility...we did not have enough money to interest them. The family does not know where they are, only that others have profitted by my grandfather's entire life's work.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13186067419849494717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-29999932714997486572013-11-28T20:34:58.594-08:002013-11-28T20:34:58.594-08:00Carla, Very glad you're following the comments...Carla, Very glad you're following the comments here and thanks for filling in the blanks on how your grandfather's Oscars ended up in the hands of strangers. I gather the Anne Frank Oscar in the family's possession - or not? Do you know where the other four are? Were they auctioned off by Tom and Sherry? I've read conflicting reports online about what transpired - and all reports I've read are very old.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-89049143786585060412013-11-28T19:37:07.755-08:002013-11-28T19:37:07.755-08:00No. Only one Oscar is there. For the record, my gr...No. Only one Oscar is there. For the record, my grandfather's wife had recently passed and she was paying the storage facility bill...when she passed the family discovered that my brilliant grandfather was suffering from memory issues, hence the bill not being paid. Had his children been aware of the situation they would have taken care of it. His entire life's work was auctioned off for $20. When the family became aware of the situation they made every effor to resolve it but Tom an Sherry would not negotiate. They were only interested in material gain, not integrity. Lyle had 5 children, none of them benefitted from his work. Now he has two sons left, and my mother who is 81...she met Clark Gable in real life, during the filming of Gone With The Wind...it would've meant so much to her to have inherited her father's Oscar, not for material benefit but because of her precious memories. She was denied the opportunity...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13186067419849494717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-74695438867661012192013-11-28T19:10:39.636-08:002013-11-28T19:10:39.636-08:00As I understand it, Tom and Sherry were the people...As I understand it, Tom and Sherry were the people who got their hands on Wheeler's Oscars when they purchased the contents of a storage unit he had rented but fell behind on. I read that the man who won the Anne Frank Oscar at auction returned it to Mr. Wheeler. Where all five Oscars are now, I have no idea. But I may be able to find out.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-75311625949237681052013-11-27T22:38:19.338-08:002013-11-27T22:38:19.338-08:00Only 1 Oscar was auctioned off. I know who bought ...Only 1 Oscar was auctioned off. I know who bought them and I also know why the other 4 were never auctioned off. The Diary of Ann Frank was auctioned and Sherry and Tom got $17,000 for it... They were very greedy people. Thank goodness I am no longer related to them! What a wack job of a family. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-6789610860581417112013-10-29T22:58:18.148-07:002013-10-29T22:58:18.148-07:00Carla, Thank you so much for your comment! I'm...Carla, Thank you so much for your comment! I'm so glad you found this post and enjoyed it. Your "grandpa" was a huge talent, one of Hollywood's great art directors. He may be gone, but his incomparable work lives on in some of the most iconic films of all time. You and everyone in your family have much to be proud of.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-53696683364836455322013-10-29T22:50:59.355-07:002013-10-29T22:50:59.355-07:00I loved this article. Lyle "Lonny" was m...I loved this article. Lyle "Lonny" was my Grandpa. He was a true visionary. I feel fortunate that I had the opportunity to know him. Unfortunately, he died not long after my first child was born, so my children never knew their great Grandfather.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13186067419849494717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-14909090848834468632011-07-22T10:55:51.820-07:002011-07-22T10:55:51.820-07:00Thank you. I was as mesmerized by your article as...Thank you. I was as mesmerized by your article as I am by Wheeler's work.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-70271758350763998942011-07-21T06:50:28.903-07:002011-07-21T06:50:28.903-07:00For more on the Fate of Lyle Wheeler's five Os...For more on the Fate of Lyle Wheeler's five Oscars - the L.A. Times 1989...<br />http://articles.latimes.com/1989-02-08/entertainment/ca-2155_1_lyle-wheelerThe Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-86821046743175931342011-07-20T08:27:51.121-07:002011-07-20T08:27:51.121-07:00An excellent article, Capt'n. The art directo...An excellent article, Capt'n. The art director of a film is arguably the most important person to create the feel of the film. Think of movies like Chicago (2002) or Dick Tracy (1990) and the ethereal look they have, and the extravagance of Gone with the Wind, or the coldness on Citizen Kane. All of that is done by the A.D.<br /><br />You have chosen one of the best!Allen Hefnerhttp://bitactors.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-62090231982005076352011-07-18T20:51:19.345-07:002011-07-18T20:51:19.345-07:00Captain Gregg,
Well this was a fun little look bac...Captain Gregg,<br />Well this was a fun little look back!<br />Rebecca is my favorite film and as we all know the scenery, locations and that insane Mandalay were such a huge presence for making it such a mysterious but intriguing place. I think I cried the first time I saw Rebecca upon seeing Mandalay burn to the ground. Then that little cottage where everything ugly happened, wanting to peek inside along with Mrs. de Winter part deux. When I finally got a peek it was everything I imagined down to the last cobweb and dusty couch.<br /><br />The King and I was also so visually appealing. I saw it for the first time as a little girl and it was so colorful and elaborate that I didn't know where to look at times. <br /><br />I didn't know that much about Wheeler and just how many great films he applied his genius to so this was a fun post.<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-73547214496441995682011-07-17T07:05:02.541-07:002011-07-17T07:05:02.541-07:00Wonderful article about Wheeler, who had an amazin...Wonderful article about Wheeler, who had an amazing talents. You mentioned some of my favorite movies and one of the reasons why they were my favorites, was because of the settings..Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476174860119487509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-2925985468461603612011-07-16T07:47:02.151-07:002011-07-16T07:47:02.151-07:00Really interesting article about Wheeler, about wh...Really interesting article about Wheeler, about whom I knew almost nothing. But I've seen every one of the movies you described and he is indeed a master. I liked seeing that he designed Journey to the Center of the Earth, one of my very favorites, and one I always thought was beautiful. At the end, the credits say that part of it was filmed on location in Carlsbad Caverns. I've always wondered which shots were the real cave...tribute to Wheeler!ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-17682414063062207532011-07-15T13:32:56.907-07:002011-07-15T13:32:56.907-07:00That was a wonderful post and beautifully illustra...That was a wonderful post and beautifully illustrated. Lyle Wheeler is one of those pros whose name I'm always happy to see in the credits, as much as any performer or director.Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-70923978178108505482011-07-15T11:33:47.319-07:002011-07-15T11:33:47.319-07:00I'm dazzled by Wheeler's sets ("Rebec...I'm dazzled by Wheeler's sets ("Rebecca" and "Laura" are favorites) and the look of "Leave Her to Heaven" has intrigued me for years. It's colors are so rich and evocative - and the interiors and exteriors so perfectly enhance its storyline. Thank you again, Capt. Gregg, for a thoughtful and instructive look at a great cinematic artist/craftsman.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-9975314472072946392011-07-14T19:35:31.131-07:002011-07-14T19:35:31.131-07:00Wheeler did some stunningly effective work. Well d...Wheeler did some stunningly effective work. Well done!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-36169565543553135822011-07-14T18:12:31.145-07:002011-07-14T18:12:31.145-07:00Thanks Captain Gregg for this very informative pos...Thanks Captain Gregg for this very informative post on Lyle Wheeler, a true master. I have always been particularly impressed with the design of Leave Her to Heaven, which I saw again on the big screen alast year at the TCM Classic Film Festival. The sets at Ellen's ranch house are fabulous. And Wheeler used the color green in many of the sets - the color of jealousy - which gives the movie a unifying, and unusual, look.Christian Esquevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04442827724576856379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-13318585287514782692011-07-14T18:09:24.720-07:002011-07-14T18:09:24.720-07:00Very interesting! For some reason I always thought...Very interesting! For some reason I always thought Vincent Korda did the sets for That Hamilton Woman.Kendrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249077643561441898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-61050874183598355822011-07-14T17:12:41.090-07:002011-07-14T17:12:41.090-07:00This is a wonderful post - informative and beautif...This is a wonderful post - informative and beautifully written and presented. I enjoyed it immensely!FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-83387291772169969132011-07-13T01:02:49.254-07:002011-07-13T01:02:49.254-07:00one can really see the "fingerprints" of...one can really see the "fingerprints" of a LYLE WHEELER set...thanx!!doctor sabelotodohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17753057330165133638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-76645646288315587912011-07-12T11:42:04.658-07:002011-07-12T11:42:04.658-07:00Very informative post about a set designer I knew ...Very informative post about a set designer I knew little about. After perusing Wheeler's full filmography, I was even more impressed with his work! I love his set designs in REBECCA and LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN, two films in which the settings greatly enhance the themes (e.g., I find Manderley to be cold, much like Rebecca was; in LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN, the charming lake setting physically separates Cornel Wilde from everyone else...which is good because that's just want Gene wants). Enjoyed your debut at Eve's, Captain!Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.com