Computer Black: July 2012

Having not covered a film on here for a while (and needing an excuse to avoid more pressing matters), I've once again wasted hours painfully trawling through another movie no-one's heard of in a noble quest to immortalise it's long lost interior design. Unsurprisingly it's another gem from the nebulus world of the late 80s/early 90s.

Ford Fairlane was the vanity project of shock-jock comedian Andrew Dice Clay, a guy who wasn't very funny and is probably best remembered as the bouncer in Pretty In Pink. Thankfully this post isn't about him, it's not really about the film either - although it has it's moments including a soundtrack by Yello - it's about the style, ok?

The first location of interest is the amusingly titled nightclub 'Greed'. If I was still running club nights, they'd look like this (now that I think of it, they kind of did anyway).

The Post-Modern meets Industrial (meets vintage Stringfellows) interior can just about be made out through the glossy haze director Renny Harlin imposed on pretty much the whole film (not a bad thing IMO). Stuff happens involving twin groupies and the wacky yuppie guy from Commando and Twin Peaks but yeah, if you really want to know the story go watch the movie.

The real reason for me detailing this film is simply Fairlane's house. I've loved it my whole life (well, since I saw this film as a teen), it's this incredible 1950s Mid-Century Modern haven; all weird angles and curves. I want to retire to a place like this. In LA. Tomorrow.

Glass bricks and Atomic-era geometric doors what's not to love?

Completely re-writing the story, the neon phone rings...

...and combined with a full volume MTV news report about a heavy metal band (with a killer logo)...

...the eponymous 'Rock n Roll detective' is awoken in his Memphis Design-style shirt and polka um, square sheets.

Priscilla Presley is at the door rockin' a Gothy 50s vamp look.

The New-Wave pattern on his dressing gown is really cool but I couldn't get a clear shot of it. Ditto the Mid-Century abstract mirror above Presley's shoulder.

Again the dry ice machine was in full flow so the interior was tricky to make out. However I love the pink Atomic desk lamp and ceramic rocket here.

also detactable is this Amoeba coffee table with hairpin legs.

On the veranda (left) are two Butterfly sling chairs, originally designed by Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy in 1938. Admittedly not easy to make out here, there are clearer shots of them elsewhere in the film, but I needed an excuse to show the back of the house.

you know the way that people watch North By Northwest and go 'oh I really want to go check out James Mason's Space Age house at the top of Mount Rushmore' and then they Google it and are heartbroken to discover that it never existed and it was only ever a drawing?

...well yeah before you start booking flights to LA, this house doesn't exist either, or rather it did until they blew it to pieces in the film. I'm sure it's a Starbucks or something now. Gutted.