The Silencers (1966) bachelor pad. Art Director/Joseph Wright (Guys and Dolls), Set Decorator/George Nelson (Godfather Part 2). In the first Matt Helm film, Dean Martin is introduced on a large revolving bed, which rolls him out of the room… and then tips him into a massive bubble bath (complete with awaiting companion)! Helm yawns and stretches his way through this luxurious experience. This is just a normal morning for him. Although many of the interiors lack such memorable elements, this initial use of gadgetry for relaxation (and womanizing) is an interesting way to establish his character as a cocktail-loving Photographer/Spy, and echoes the man-of-leisure culture promoted by Playboy. It’s humorous today to think that a romantic tryst could be ignited by the sheer grooviness of one’s apartment, but that’s an essential element to this genre of fantasy adventure- and part of the fun! Revolving beds show up again and again in films such as Casino Royale, Danger Diabolik, A Flea in Her Ear, and spoofed in Austin Powers. Like waterbeds in the 70s-80s, revolving beds stayed frozen in time as a major symbol of the 1960’s bachelor pad- until now! The Lazy Susan bed has become a new trend among min-century modern enthusiasts. A number of Italian designers are selling well in Los Angeles. Read the LA Times article here. Helm's car is a mini-version of his apartment, sans bath, but complete with hide-a-way bed and gadget-like cocktail bar. As Bond would say, "for our man to stop for a quick one en route."
STAY TUNED FOR SET #9 -AND- THE TOP 5 SETS FROM SPY AND MOVIE WRITERS AROUND THE GLOBE!
