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The model used in the 1953 film is 28 feet long and weighs in around 1 ton. The model makers did a great job, even if they did put Southampton on the stern as the ship's port of registration. After its use in "Titanic" it was altered to resemble the Queen Mary for"Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," which also used many of the sets left over from "Titanic". After "G.P.B." completed shooting it was again used for the night shots of "Dangerous Crossing". That film also used all the remaining sets from the two previous films. Then after that, the ship model and sets again were utilized for the finale of "A Blueprint For Murder". After all 4 films were completed, the sets were struck and the model apparently wasn't seen on film again. The model sat in storage until it was sold at auction in 1971, along with 2 lifejackets, the ships notice board, a 40 inch model lifeboat and the full-size lifeboat #6 (the one Barbara Stanwyck and Audrey Dalton escape in). The owner had it restored by Fox to its 1953 condition and put it on display in a mall in Minnesota. When the mall changed hands in 1985, the new owners were going to junk it(!) The staff of The Titanic Historical Society, led by Edward Kamuda, rescued the model from destruction, had it restored, and it currently is on display at the Marine Museum, Battleship Cove, Fall River, Massachusetts. The model is unfortunately displayed rather poorly, with photos and other items inside the case, obscuring the ship slightly. If you ask one of the staff members, they will turn on the electric lights inside the model. The model footage from Gentleman Prefer Blonde's made an appearance in 1981's Goliath Awaits. The footage was heavily darkened. |
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