F for Fake (1973): Orson Welles and Art Forgery

F for Fake (1973)

Brief Review by Travis Simpkins

     Written and directed by Orson Welles, F for Fake (1973) was his final completed film. The pseudo-documentary focuses on the nature of forgeries and illusions. A unique effort, it has been described as a "Film Essay." The movie features noted Art forger Elmyr de Hory, who claimed to have hundreds of his work unwittingly hanging in museums, and specialized in faking the works of Matisse, Picasso and Modigliani.  Howard Hughes hoax biographer Clifford Irving appears as well. Orson Welles, himself famous for the radio "War of the Worlds" broadcast hoax, serves as an excellent guide. Oja Kodar, Welles' sexy girlfriend, appears in her own fake vignette involving Pablo Picasso. Joseph Cotten appears briefly as well.

Orson Welles: F for Fake

Elmyr de Hory: F for Fake

Clifford Irving: F for Fake

: F for Fake

Elmyr de Hory: F for Fake

Orson Welles: F for Fake

Elmyr de Hory paints a Matisse: F for Fake

Clifford Irving: F for Fake

Orson Welles: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

"F for Fake"- movie trailer

How To Steal a Million (1966): Audrey Hepburn, Peter O'Toole and an Art Museum Heist

     William Wyler was at the end of his illustrious career when he decided to direct How To Steal a Million (1966). The deciding factor for Wyler, no doubt, had to be the opportunity to work with Audrey Hepburn once again. He had given Audrey her big break 13 years before with Roman Holiday. Everyone loved being around her, Wyler was no exception, having a special affinity for the cute actress. Despite the film's lackluster title, How To Steal a Million is quite good. It starts out as a romantic comedy and introduces some great "heist" elements along the way. The other cast members are fine as well... Peter O'Toole, Eli Wallach, Charles Boyer...

     Nicole's (Audrey Hepburn) father is a renowned Art Collector. He is also a renowned Art Forger, selling fakes and raking in millions in the process... 

Audrey Hepburn: How to Steal a Million

     One night, Nicole thwarts a burglary at their home... 

Audrey Hepburn: How to Steal a Million

     and begins to fall for Simon (Peter O'Toole), the thief…

Peter O'Toole and Audrey Hepburn: How to Steal a Million

     When her father lends a fake statue, the "Cellini Venus", to a Museum, both she and her father are mortified to learn that the sculpture will be scientifically examined. Such an inspection will expose her father and he will be ruined. Nicole enlists the help of Simon to plan a heist. They must steal the statue back from the heavily-guarded Museum before it can be tested... 

Peter O'Toole and Audrey Hepburn: How to Steal a Million

     Will they succeed? Or are her father's Art forging days over?

Peter O'Toole and Audrey Hepburn: How to Steal a Million

Audrey Hepburn: How to Steal a Million

Peter O'Toole and Audrey Hepburn: How to Steal a Million

Peter O'Toole and Audrey Hepburn: How to Steal a Million

Peter O'Toole and Audrey Hepburn: How to Steal a Million

Research: Worcester Art Museum "Then and Now" by Travis Simpkins. Update #13

     -The first photo, taken nearly 100 years ago, shows a group of children and their teachers enjoying the works on display in the third floor's East Gallery at the Worcester Art Museum. John Singer Sargent's portrait of "Mrs. Edward L. Davis and Her Son", hung at center, was commissioned and painted in Worcester during the summer of 1890. The most ambitious work created during Sargent's productive Worcester sojourn, the painting has sadly left Worcester and resides at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Today, in the Donnelly Gallery, the same location features vibrantly-hued Modern Art and is still a favorite spot amongst youth classes and groups.
     -In the time that I have worked at the Worcester Art Museum, the Lancaster Desk has stood in 3 different locations within the lobby. The photo at left, taken in 2009, shows the desk in it's second location... on the back wall directly facing the sliding doors. This placement proved problematic for many reasons, one of which was that when the lobby was full of people, the view was blocked, and visitors entering through the doors often could not see the desk across the way. Today, this corner spot in the Lancaster Lobby houses the Café SIP Cart and new flat screen monitors display current and upcoming events and information.

     -The sketch depicts the Bat suit, on loan to WAM for the Knights! Exhibition, showing the condition in which it appeared just after arriving in the 2nd Hiatt gallery. The 25-year-old suit was a bit rough and dusty then, but has since been cleaned and straightened-up for display. It was worn by actor Michael Keaton in Tim Burton's 1989 film, Batman, and it's presence will aid the Museum in showing connections between historical aegis and the stylized armor of contemporary fantasy.

3rd Floor (East Gallery). Worcester Art Museum. by Travis Simpkins

Lancaster Lobby. Worcester Art Museum. by Travis Simpkins

Batsuit. Worcester Art Museum. by Travis Simpkins