Hey, gang!
Jim Hill here. Now I can’t tell you who exactly it is who sent JHM this story. All I can do is assure you that this unnamed individual actually did work on Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” movie and that their behind-the-scene tales are legit.
Will “The Haunted Mansion” turn out to be a “Pirates”-sized hit? Right now, no one can say … though today’s report does make the film sound pretty snazzy.
Read and enjoy, okay?
The first day I worked (on the film) as just … a regular background extra with about 100 other folks, was the day they shot the in the Foyer. It looks exactly like the drawings that have been posted on line. I describe it as a cross between the set of the stage musical “Sunset Blvd” and the Titanic. Heavy drapes, lots of carvings, beaded fringe.
As you come through the big entry doors you look directly into the hallway that holds the suits of armor. The stairs go up either side of the hallway to a landing with a HUGE clock on it that resembles the 13 Hour Clock in the ride at Disneyland. Flanking the clock were two life sized females holding up candelabras. The two stair cases met at a landing on the top of the hall of armor. On this landing were the portraits that are better know to Disneyland guest as “The Changing Portraits” that are in the Mansion at Disneyland.
The costumes are all VERY period and VERY detailed. My costume that day had an entire fur lined cape which, as the day wore on, got VERY heavy. After we got set in our places and they described that we would be looking on in shock as Lord Gracey carrying the body of his dead wife walk by, I thought to myself, “He’s going to have trouble getting her up those stairs as she was wearing a full ballgown.
Well, sure enough, on the first take, Lord Gracey walked through the foyer, carry her body in his arms, and as he got to the first stair, he lifted his foot up and got it caught right in her dress and they both came down in a tumble. The second take, same thing, only they got further up the stairs before collapsing. After a few takes, I started to feel sorry for Lord Gracey, as carry a “dead” body up those LONG flight of stairs over and over had to be a bit taxing.
We were (then) told that they would be auditioning us to see if we had any dance ability as they were still looking for the Ballroom Dancers. We worked for a while with the Choreographer (She was FANTASTIC!) and twirled around the floor a bit. FYI: For those of you wondering if they were going to stay true to the ride, I can tell you that the women ARE leading the male dancers. It took some adjusting, as I had to unlearn everything I already knew.
We had two short days of rehearsal, one in a rehearsal hall, then one on the set. The walls for the Ball Room were the only things up when I was there for the foyer scene, and when we came back to shoot it, I was amazed at the detail. Again, it looks like the drawing EXACTLY, stairs leading up either side of the Pipe Organ, the French Doors on either side of the MASSIVE Fireplace. It was breathtaking. The only things I didn’t see were “The Dueling Portraits”. My dance partner was great, we had such a great time, that every time they yelled cut, we’d just bust out laughing…All that spinning makes one’s head fuzzy!
Our holding area was on another stage with a long hallway full of doors in it with a room at the end of the hall that was covered in draped fabrics. That is the Seance Room, with the Crystal Ball holding Madame Leota’s head. And if you walked around the corner and through another side door, you would have found yourself (as I did) on the Attic set. VERY creepy with LOTS and LOTS of old props, boxes, trucks and what not (You may even catch a little tribute to the bride, if you look close). Then, around the corner from that was the Library set that was also connected to the Conservatory. Both sets include a lot of iron trellis work (almost spider web like) and the couch in the Library (I was told) was the same one used in 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.
We shot that scene for two days, had a day off. Then just the dancers came back to dance again in front of a blue screen as we will be turned into ghosts. After having just the one day off, we came back to the ASTOUNDING work of the Set Decorators. The ENTIRE Ballroom had been aged over 100 years! Mold, mildew, peeling wall paper and the works! Very CREEPY!
They Blue Screened us on another soundstage that held the interior of the Mausoleum set…It’s HUGE! About three stories tall! You walk in and you are looking at a circular room with hundreds and hundreds of niches filled with urns and coffins (that are very black, and rounded, much like the ‘Doom Buggies’ at Disneyland). It also was built to be filled with a moat, but it was dry the day I worked. There looked to be an iron Gazebo in the middle of the room with a iron bridge that crossed over the moat so you could get to it. All of the Urns were rigged with pneumatics … I think someone’s not happy they are there and are trying to get out!
All I can say is this … I’ve been a Haunted Mansion fan my whole life, andworking on this project was a dream come true, (I even met and spoke a while to Rick Baker!) I know that people have their opinions on how they THINK the movie is going to turn out, but after seeing the work and the caring and amount of detail going into this movie, I think it really has a potential to be HUGE!
Visually, the movie will be stunning. I have no idea how Mr. Murphy is playing his role, as I didn’t work with him. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that he won’t be the anchor holding this ship back from greatness. I also worked on Country Bears, and I know how THAT bombed!
Maybe, after the movie opens, and I know I won’t be in any trouble, I’ll email some of my “Behind The Scenes” photos…..
Here’s hoping that — someday — we actually do get to see those photographs.
Your comments?