John Barry (set designer)
Encyclopedia
John Barry was a British film production designer
, known for his work on Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
, for which he received the Academy Award for Best Art Direction
.
film vehicle Cleopatra
in 1963. He went on to assist art director Elliott Scott on the 1960s spy television series Danger Man
, which starred Patrick McGoohan
. His first project as an art director in 1969 on the movie Decline and Fall of a Bird Watcher.
Barry then became production designer on the Clint Eastwood
action film Kelly's Heroes
in 1970. Barry was offered the job of designer by Stanley Kubrick
for his never-completed film Napoleon, working on the project for a week. Kubrick hired him again as production designer on A Clockwork Orange
in 1971. He was production designer on the 1973 science fiction film Phase IV
.
He worked on the fantasy musical The Little Prince
in 1974. Following a recommendation from Scott, George Lucas
travelled to Mexico
where Barry was working on Lucky Lady
and hired him as production designer for Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
. Barry thought the alloted time of seven months to design and build the film's sets was just enough and he took the job. He later worked on the first two Superman films. Following these box office hits Barry was given the chance to direct his own project, the science fiction film Saturn 3
. During filming, Barry fell out with the movie's star Kirk Douglas
and was replaced by Stanley Donen
.
He was soon hired by George Lucas as a second unit director on Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
. On May 31, 1979, (two weeks into filming) he collapsed on-set and was hospitalized with a 104 degree temperature. He died at 2 A.M. on June 1 from meningitis
. His memorial was held on June 11 at St. Paul's Church, Grove Road, London; Barry was cremated that day.
Production designer
In film and television, a production designer is the person responsible for the overall look of a filmed event such as films, TV programs, music videos or adverts. Production designers have one of the key creative roles in the creation of motion pictures and television. Working directly with the...
, known for his work on Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, originally released as Star Wars, is a 1977 American epic space opera film, written and directed by George Lucas. It is the first of six films released in the Star Wars saga: two subsequent films complete the original trilogy, while a prequel trilogy completes the...
, for which he received the Academy Award for Best Art Direction
Academy Award for Best Art Direction
The Academy Awards are the oldest awards ceremony for achievements in motion pictures. The Academy Award for Best Art Direction recognizes achievement in art direction on a film. The films below are listed with their production year, so the Oscar 2000 for best art direction went to a film from 1999...
.
Career
Born in London, Barry worked as an architect with experience in stage design. He entered the film business as a draughtsman on the epic Elizabeth TaylorElizabeth Taylor
Dame Elizabeth Rosemond "Liz" Taylor, DBE was a British-American actress. From her early years as a child star with MGM, she became one of the great screen actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age...
film vehicle Cleopatra
Cleopatra (1963 film)
Cleopatra is a 1963 British-American-Swiss epic drama film directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. The screenplay was adapted by Sidney Buchman, Ben Hecht, Ranald MacDougall, and Mankiewicz from a book by Carlo Maria Franzero. The film starred Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Rex Harrison, Roddy...
in 1963. He went on to assist art director Elliott Scott on the 1960s spy television series Danger Man
Danger Man
Danger Man is a British television series that was broadcast between 1960 and 1962, and again between 1964 and 1968. The series featured Patrick McGoohan as secret agent John Drake. Ralph Smart created the program and wrote many of the scripts...
, which starred Patrick McGoohan
Patrick McGoohan
Patrick Joseph McGoohan was an American-born actor, raised in Ireland and England, with an extensive stage and film career, most notably in the 1960s television series Danger Man , and The Prisoner, which he co-created...
. His first project as an art director in 1969 on the movie Decline and Fall of a Bird Watcher.
Barry then became production designer on the Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood
Clinton "Clint" Eastwood, Jr. is an American film actor, director, producer, composer and politician. Eastwood first came to prominence as a supporting cast member in the TV series Rawhide...
action film Kelly's Heroes
Kelly's Heroes
Kelly's Heroes is an offbeat 1970 comedy/war film about a group of World War II soldiers who go AWOL to rob a bank behind enemy lines. Directed by Brian G...
in 1970. Barry was offered the job of designer by Stanley Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick was an American film director, writer, producer, and photographer who lived in England during most of the last four decades of his career...
for his never-completed film Napoleon, working on the project for a week. Kubrick hired him again as production designer on A Clockwork Orange
A Clockwork Orange (film)
A Clockwork Orange is a 1971 film adaptation of Anthony Burgess's 1962 novel of the same name. It was written, directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick...
in 1971. He was production designer on the 1973 science fiction film Phase IV
Phase IV
Phase IV is an American science fiction film, made in 1974. It is the only feature-length film directed by the noted title designer Saul Bass. It starred Michael Murphy, Nigel Davenport and Lynne Frederick....
.
He worked on the fantasy musical The Little Prince
The Little Prince (film)
The Little Prince is a 1974 American/British science fiction musical film with screenplay and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe...
in 1974. Following a recommendation from Scott, George Lucas
George Lucas
George Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, and director, and entrepreneur. He is the founder, chairman and chief executive of Lucasfilm. He is best known as the creator of the space opera franchise Star Wars and the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...
travelled to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
where Barry was working on Lucky Lady
Lucky Lady
Lucky Lady is a 1975 American film directed by Stanley Donen and starring Gene Hackman, Liza Minnelli and Burt Reynolds, with Robby Benson. Its story takes place during Prohibition in the United States in the year 1930....
and hired him as production designer for Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, originally released as Star Wars, is a 1977 American epic space opera film, written and directed by George Lucas. It is the first of six films released in the Star Wars saga: two subsequent films complete the original trilogy, while a prequel trilogy completes the...
. Barry thought the alloted time of seven months to design and build the film's sets was just enough and he took the job. He later worked on the first two Superman films. Following these box office hits Barry was given the chance to direct his own project, the science fiction film Saturn 3
Saturn 3
Saturn 3 is a 1980 science fiction film starring Kirk Douglas, Farrah Fawcett and Harvey Keitel. Direction is credited to Stanley Donen. The project was conceived by John Barry. Barry was due to direct until a dispute with Douglas led to his replacement...
. During filming, Barry fell out with the movie's star Kirk Douglas
Kirk Douglas
Kirk Douglas is an American stage and film actor, film producer and author. His popular films include Out of the Past , Champion , Ace in the Hole , The Bad and the Beautiful , Lust for Life , Paths of Glory , Gunfight at the O.K...
and was replaced by Stanley Donen
Stanley Donen
Stanley Donen ; is an American film director and choreographer whose most celebrated works are Singin' in the Rain and On the Town, both of which he co-directed with Gene Kelly. His other noteworthy films include Royal Wedding, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Funny Face, Indiscreet, Damn...
.
He was soon hired by George Lucas as a second unit director on Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner. The screenplay, based on a story by George Lucas, was written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan...
. On May 31, 1979, (two weeks into filming) he collapsed on-set and was hospitalized with a 104 degree temperature. He died at 2 A.M. on June 1 from meningitis
Meningitis
Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, and less commonly by certain drugs...
. His memorial was held on June 11 at St. Paul's Church, Grove Road, London; Barry was cremated that day.