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R.I.P. Production Designer Peter Murton


16 replies to this topic

#1 Forward Look

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Posted 07 February 2010 - 09:30 AM

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Acclaimed production designer and art director had three James Bond film credits


Just received this posting from CinemaRetro, of the passing of one-time Bond film production designer Peter Murton, who had his turn designing 007 sets just once, in The Man With The Golden Gun. Actually, Peter Murton worked in the Pinewood Studios art department on the early Bond films without credit, working with Peter Lamont and Syd Cain, and under Ken Adam. Murton's designs for Scaramanga's fun house, island hideout, Solex equipment, and the Colibri golden gun all hold up well today, but he was quite content to just work behind the scenes. He may have been content just to be in the background, but he did well. The link below has a picture of Peter Murton with Peter Lamont and Ken Adam. Long may you run, Peter, and rest well.

http://www.cinemaret...d -->-AWAY.html

#2 sthgilyadgnivileht

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Posted 07 February 2010 - 01:18 PM

R.I.P.
Some great sets in Golden Gun

#3 Napoleon Solo

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Posted 07 February 2010 - 04:02 PM

He did receive art director credits on Goldfinger and Thunderball.

#4 PrinceKamalKhan

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Posted 07 February 2010 - 08:28 PM

RIP, Mr. Murton. Just watched a little of the beginning and end of TMWTGG last night. His work on the funhouse, Scaramanga's Island lab and home, and junk was gorgeous.

#5 O.H.M.S.S.

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Posted 07 February 2010 - 08:45 PM

That is very sad news. I always thought that Peter Murton's production design for The Man with the Golden Gun was top 10 material. Top marks on the funhouse and the Golden Gun. RIP Mr. Murton, your contribution will never be forgotten.

#6 Double-Oh Agent

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Posted 08 February 2010 - 07:50 AM

R.I.P. Peter Murton. Enjoyed your work on all the Bond films. Thanks for your efforts. You really helped bring the James Bond world alive.

#7 Qwerty

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Posted 08 February 2010 - 03:58 PM

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Acclaimed production designer and art director had three James Bond film credits


#8 Rufus Ffolkes

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Posted 08 February 2010 - 04:47 PM

It's one of the missed opportunities of the series that he wasn't given the chance to design more Bond films.

Personally, I prefer his work on TMWTGG to most of Lamont's output.

#9 the other fellow

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Posted 08 February 2010 - 04:53 PM

It's one of the missed opportunities of the series that he wasn't given the chance to design more Bond films.

Personally, I prefer his work on TMWTGG to most of Lamont's output.


Totally agree Rufus

R.I.P Peter
My condolences to family and friends

#10 Nicolas Suszczyk

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Posted 08 February 2010 - 06:42 PM

What a shame B) RIP :tdown:

#11 DAN LIGHTER

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Posted 08 February 2010 - 06:57 PM

RIP Mr Murton, you left you wonderful mark on the world.

#12 Lee007

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Posted 08 February 2010 - 10:48 PM

Wow Devin, how do you research such a great bio?

#13 elizabeth

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Posted 08 February 2010 - 11:44 PM

RIP Peter.

#14 Mr. Somerset

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Posted 09 February 2010 - 12:28 AM

RIP. Loved the production design on TMWTGG.

#15 Professor Dent

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Posted 09 February 2010 - 12:38 AM

Quite an impressive resume of movies. I have seen many of them & have quite a few in my personal movie library. RIP, Mr. Murton.

Nice article, Qwerty. B)

#16 ChrissBond007

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Posted 09 February 2010 - 08:41 PM

RIP Peter Murton.

Did a great job on TMWTGG.

#17 tim partridge

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Posted 18 February 2010 - 11:32 AM

I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr Murton a few years ago. I found him to be very realistic and modest about his achievements (always citing collaboration), incredibly patient as well as being extremely loyal to the filmmakers with whom he collaborated with over the years. He was also very encouraging, supportive, generous and a very well spoken gentleman.

I think Mr Murton had a beautiful sense of taste that he lent the films he designed, creatively resourceful (from his extensive art director training) but always with the bigger picture in mind. The Man With The Golden Gun is obviously pertinent to CBN, but outside of that, look at Lester's Superman where he oversaw Houston Idaho built on Chobham Common or managed to round up both Smallville and Metropolis locations within shouting distance of Calgary on SUPERMAN III. Look at the very Bond worthy villain's lair he created for SUPERMAN III (far moreso to my mind than anything in Octopussy), complete with map room floor and deco colour schemes. The 007ish whomp room from Spies Like Us too. Look at King Kong Lives, where he was involved in making Wilmington Arboretum look like Borneo. Dracula and Death on the Nile too for authentic and elaborate period recreation. The list is endless.

While I also love the slanted ship interior of MWTGG, I also love all of the light, neutral coloured wood panelling and silk upholstery interior decor from the film. It's very tasteful and classical and in my opinion has aged beautifully without any 70s hangovers. Scaramanga's kitchen, the hotel rooms, the Bedroom in the Junk ship, too. It's a pretty unique look, not really seen elsewhere in the series, but also beauitifully upholding the Ken Adam tradition.

I was very sad to hear of Mr Murton's passing and my thoughts are with his family and friends.