Beschreibung:

MGM, 1948. Designed by Walter Plunkett. Gouache, watercolor, and pencil on illustration board, signed ("Plunkett") in watercolor to lower right, and "Executioner" handwritten in pencil to upper right (the part was played by Mickey Simpson, whose name is handwritten in pencil to top of verso), with rubber stamp imprint for approval on the verso filled out in pencil with "1420" as the production number, "4869" as the sketch number, "Executioner" as the subject of the sketch, "Sam" as the fitter, dated "12-23," and sequence "Ch 1." Various penciled annotations to verso as well.
You may not recognize his name, but classic film lovers will recognize the face of Mickey Simpson, the character actor whose muscular form and intimidating visage made their mark in many a film, most notably in George Stevens' Giant (1956), in which he punches Rock Hudson in the face during a brawl concerning racism. Simpson appeared in several films directed by John Ford including Stagecoach (1939) and played nearly every character imaginable in the form of villainous cowboys, store owners, prison guards, and bullies. Perhaps his most nefarious film role was in The Three Musketeers as the Executioner; after all, who wants to be responsible for beheading Lana Turner? The Executioner costume designed by Walter Plunkett (best known for his creations for Gone with the Wind [1939]) is a stunning invention depicting evil through its deep red color and devilish style; oddly, it does not appear in the finished film.
22 x 25 in.