Andrew Mazzei (1887–1975) was a French-born British

art director Art director is the title for a variety of similar job functions in theater, advertising, marketing, publishing, fashion, film industry, film and television, the Internet, and video games. It is the charge of a sole art director to supervise and ...

who designed the sets for more than sixty films during his career. Mazzei began his career in the late 1920s during the

silent era A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, wh ...

including on the futuristic ''

High Treason Treason is the crime of attacking a state authority to which one owes allegiance. This typically includes acts such as participating in a war against one's native country, attempting to overthrow its government, spying on its military, its diplo ...

''. By the 1930s he was working for

Gainsborough Pictures Gainsborough Pictures was a British film studio based on the south bank of the Regent's Canal, in Poole Street, Hoxton in the former Metropolitan Borough of Shoreditch, north London. Gainsborough Studios was active between 1924 and 1951. The com ...

, designing backdrops for the critically acclaimed train-set thriller ''

Rome Express ''Rome Express'' is a 1932 British thriller film directed by Walter Forde and starring Esther Ralston and Conrad Veidt. Based on a story by Clifford Grey, with a screenplay by Sidney Gilliat, the film is a tale about a European express train ...

'' in 1932. His 1940s work includes

Gainsborough Melodramas The Gainsborough melodramas were a sequence of films produced by the British film studio Gainsborough Pictures between 1943 and 1947 which conformed to a melodramatic style.Brooke, Michael. (2014)Gainsborough Melodrama Screenonline British Film Ins ...

such as ''

Madonna of the Seven Moons ''Madonna of the Seven Moons'' is a 1945 British drama film directed by Arthur Crabtree for Gainsborough Pictures and starring Phyllis Calvert, Stewart Granger and Patricia Roc. The film was produced by Rubeigh James Minney, with cinematography ...

'' and ''

The Magic Bow ''The Magic Bow'' is a 1946 British musical film based on the life and loves of the Italian violinist and composer Niccolò Paganini. It was directed by Bernard Knowles. The film was entered into the 1946 Cannes Film Festival. Cast * Stewart ...

'' as well as the

Film Noir Film noir (; ) is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and motivations. The 1940s and 1950s are generally regarded as the "classic period" of American ' ...

s ''

The Upturned Glass ''The Upturned Glass'' is a 1947 British film noir psychological thriller directed by Lawrence Huntington and starring James Mason, Rosamund John and Pamela Kellino. The screenplay concerns a leading brain surgeon who murders a woman he believes ...

'' and ''

They Made Me a Fugitive ''They Made Me a Fugitive'' (released in the United States as ''I Became a Criminal'') is a 1947 British film noir set in postwar England.''Variety'' film review; 2 July 1947, page 13.''Harrison's Reports'' film review (14 February 1948), page 26 ...

''. In 1947 he was employed on the

Technicolor Technicolor is a series of Color motion picture film, color motion picture processes, the first version dating back to 1916, and followed by improved versions over several decades. Definitive Technicolor movies using three black and white films ...

film '' The Man Within''.Spicer p. 67 Most of his final films during the early 1950s were lower budget crime thrillers.

Early life

Andrew Mazzei was born André Jean Louis Mazzei in Le Havre, France on 2 August 1887 to Italian / French parentage. His father, Giovanni Mazzei (born 1 August 1852 in Colognora di Val di Roggio, Pescaglia, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy - died 26 November 1930 in Lucca Hospital, Tuscany, Italy) was an Italian 'Plaster Figure Maker' who had moved to France to ply his trade. He married Andrew's mother, Evarestine Marie Lemen (born 29th Oct 1852 in Beauvoir, Vendée, France - died 28 June 1912 in Holborn, London, England) on 15 August 1881 in Nantes, France. The family moved to London, England in 1891, where they stayed until Andrew was nine years of age when his father took him to Italy for 12 months. On returning, the family lived for a short time in Brighton and Manchester, and by 1901 they had settled in Blackpool. It was during this time that Andrew's father had contributed ornate plasterwork to the Tower Ballroom designed by

Frank Matcham Francis Matcham (22 November 1854 – 17 May 1920)Mackintosh, Iain"Matcham, Frank" ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, accessed 7 July 2019 was an English architect who specialised in the design o ...

. According to the 1911 census, Andrew had contributed decorative plasterwork to the Coronation Exhibition of George V. Andrew married Alice Fairclough (1887-1973) on 7 October 1912 at South Shore, Fylde, Lancashire. They had no children. During the First World War, Andrew was employed on the reconstruction of the late Lord Kitchener's house at Broome Park, Knowlton, Kent, where he was engaged on special modelling work. Andrew then went to work for a year for Messrs. Jordans, Brixton Hill, making artificial limbs for mutilated soldiers. On 14 March 1918, Andrew volunteered for the British Army and was graded 2. Messrs. Jordans pointed out to Andrew that the work he was engaged on was a necessity and applied for his exemption which was granted. After the war, Andrew then worked for Messrs. J. Panichelli & sons, Hammersmith, on architectural and plasterwork until 1921 when he found employment with the film company, the "Famous Players–Lasky British Producers Limited."

Selected filmography

* ''

Mademoiselle from Armentières "Mademoiselle from Armentières" is an English song that was particularly popular during World War I. It is also known by its ersatz French hook line, 'Inky Pinky Parlez Vous,' or the American variant 'Hinky Dinky Parlez-vous' (variant: ''Parlay ...

'' (1926) * '' The Flag Lieutenant'' (1926) * '' Hindle Wakes'' (1927) * '' Quinneys'' (1927) * ''

Roses of Picardy "Roses of Picardy" is a popular British song with lyrics by Frederick Weatherly and music by Haydn Wood. Published in London in 1916 by Chappell & Co, it was one of the most famous songs of the First World War and has been recorded frequently u ...

'' (1927) * '' The Arcadians'' (1927) * '' The Glad Eye'' (1927) * ''

Mademoiselle Parley Voo ''Mademoiselle Parley Voo'' is a 1928 British silent drama film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Estelle Brody, John Stuart and Alf Goddard. It was made as a sequel to Elvey's earlier hit '' Mademoiselle from Armentieres'' (1926), and wa ...

'' (1928) * '' Palais de Danse'' (1928) * '' The Flight Commander'' (1928) * ''

The Physician ''The Physician'' is a novel by Noah Gordon (novelist), Noah Gordon. It is about the life of a Christians, Christian English boy in the 11th century who journeys across Europe in order to study medicine among the Persian people, Persians. The b ...

'' (1928) * ''

What Money Can Buy ''What Money Can Buy'' is a 1928 British silent film, silent drama film directed by Edwin Greenwood and starring Madeleine Carroll, Humberston Wright and John Longden. The screenplay concerns a man who makes a bet that he can seduce a woman. P ...

'' (1928) * '' Gibbs Advert'' (1929) * ''

'' (1929) * ''

The Devil's Maze ''The Devil's Maze'' is a 1929 British drama film directed by Gareth Gundrey and starring Renee Clama, Trilby Clark and Ian Fleming. The film was made at the Lime Grove Studios and was released in both sound and silent versions.Low p.309 It was ...

'' (1929) * '' Alf's Button'' (1930) * ''

Greek Street Greek Street is a street in Soho, London, leading south from Soho Square to Shaftesbury Avenue. The street is famous for its restaurants and cosmopolitan nature. History It is thought to take its name from a Greek church that was built in 1 ...

'' (1930) * ''

The Great Game The Great Game is the name for a set of political, diplomatic and military confrontations that occurred through most of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century – involving the rivalry of the British Empire and the Russian Empi ...

'' (1930) * ''

The Night Porter ''The Night Porter'' ( it, Il portiere di notte) is a 1974 English-language Italian erotic psychological war drama film. Directed and co-written by Liliana Cavani, the film stars Dirk Bogarde and Charlotte Rampling, with Philippe Leroy, Gabriel ...

'' (1930) * '' Thread O'Scarlet'' (1930) * '' A Gentleman of Paris'' (1931) * ''

Bed and Breakfast Bed and breakfast (typically shortened to B&B or BnB) is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast. Bed and breakfasts are often private family homes and typically have between four and eleven rooms, wit ...

'' (1931) * ''

Bracelets A bracelet is an article of jewellery that is worn around the wrist. Bracelets may serve different uses, such as being worn as an ornament. When worn as ornaments, bracelets may have a wikt:supportive, supportive function to hold other items of ...

'' (1931) * '' Down River'' (1931) * ''

The Happy Ending ''The Happy Ending'' is a 1969 drama film written and directed by Richard Brooks, which tells the story of a repressed housewife who longs for liberation from her husband and daughter. It stars Jean Simmons (who received an Oscar nomination), ...

'' (1931) * '' Hindle Wakes'' (1931) * ''

No Lady ''No Lady'' is a 1931 British comedy film directed by Lupino Lane and starring Lane, Renee Clama and Sari Maritza. It was made at Lime Grove Studios in Shepherd's Bush by Gaumont British, a company linked to Gainsborough Pictures. The film's set ...

'' (1931) * ''

'' (1932) * ''

Night of the Garter ''Night of the Garter'' is a 1933 British comedy film directed by Jack Raymond and starring Sydney Howard, Winifred Shotter and Elsie Randolph. The film was made at British and Dominion's Elstree Studios by the producer Herbert Wilcox for rel ...

'' (1933) * ''

Prince of Arcadia ''Prince of Arcadia'' is a 1933 British musical comedy film directed by Hanns Schwarz and starring Carl Brisson, Margot Grahame, Ida Lupino and Peter Gawthorne. The screenplay concerns a Ruritanian Prince who is due to marry a princess with ac ...

'' (1933) * ''

The Blarney Stone The Blarney Stone ( ga, Cloch na Blarnan) is a block of Carboniferous limestone built into the battlements of Blarney Castle, Blarney, about from Cork (city), Cork, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. According to legend, kissing the stone endows th ...

'' (1933) (costumes) * ''

Two Hearts in Waltz Time 2 (two) is a number, numeral and digit. It is the natural number following 1 and preceding 3. It is the smallest and only even prime number. Because it forms the basis of a duality, it has religious and spiritual significance in many cultur ...

'' (1934) * ''

In Town Tonight ''In Town Tonight'' is a BBC radio programme that was broadcast on Saturday evening from 1933 to 1960 (except for a period of 26 weeks in 1937 when ''The BBC presents the ABC'' was broadcast instead). It was an early example of a chat show, o ...

'' (1935) * ''

No Monkey Business ''No Monkey Business'' is a 1935 British comedy film directed by Marcel Varnel and starring Gene Gerrard, June Clyde and Renée Houston. Synopsis After a music hall performer has his performing partner, an ape, confiscated by his financial cre ...

'' (1935) * ''

Ten Minute Alibi ''Ten Minute Alibi'' is a 1935 British crime film directed by Bernard Vorhaus and starring Phillips Holmes, Aileen Marson and Theo Shall. It was made at Beaconsfield Studios.Wood p.84 The film's sets were designed by the art director Andre ...

'' (1935) * ''

The Case of Gabriel Perry ''The Case of Gabriel Perry'' is a 1935 British crime film directed by Albert de Courville and starring Henry Oscar, Olga Lindo and Margaret Lockwood. Plot An unstable Victorian doctor murders a woman. Cast * Henry Oscar as Gabriel Perry * Ol ...

'' (1935) * ''

The Deputy Drummer ''The Deputy Drummer'' is a 1935 British musical film directed by Lupino Lane and starring Lane, Jean Denis and Kathleen Kelly. The film was based on a stage musical. It was shot at Wembley Studios as a quota quickie for release by the America ...

'' (1935) * ''

Turn of the Tide ''Turn of the Tide'' (1935) is a British drama film directed by Norman Walker and starring John Garrick, Geraldine Fitzgerald and Wilfrid Lawson. It was the first feature film made by J. Arthur Rank. Lacking a distributor for his film, Rank set ...

'' (1935) * '' A Woman Alone'' (1936) * ''

Dusty Ermine ''Dusty Ermine'' is a 1936 British crime film directed by Bernard Vorhaus and starring Anthony Bushell, Jane Baxter and Ronald Squire. In the United States it was released under the alternative title ''Hideout in the Alps''. It was based on the ...

'' (1936) * '' The Luck of the Irish'' (1936) * ''

Spy of Napoleon ''Spy of Napoleon'' is a 1936 British historical drama film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Richard Barthelmess, Dolly Haas, Frank Vosper, Henry Oscar and James Carew. It is based on the 1934 novel '' A Spy of Napoleon'' by Baroness Emmus ...

'' (1936) * ''

The Man Behind the Mask ''The Man Behind the Mask'' is a 1936 British mystery film directed by Michael Powell and starring Hugh Williams, Jane Baxter, Ronald Ward, Maurice Schwartz, George Merritt, Henry Oscar and Peter Gawthorne. A man assaults and switches places wi ...

'' (1936) * '' The Man in the Mirror'' (1936) * ''

Clothes and the Woman ''Clothes and the Woman'' is a 1937 British romance film directed by Albert de Courville and starring Rod La Rocque, Tucker McGuire and Constance Collier. It was made at J.H. Studios, Elstree Studios.Wood p.89 While enjoying a holiday in the reso ...

'' (1937) * ''

The Missing Million ''The Missing Million'' is a 1942 British crime film directed by Philip Brandon and starring Linden Travers, John Warwick and Patricia Hilliard. It is adapted from the 1923 novel ''The Missing Million'' by Edgar Wallace. A millionaire is persecu ...

'' (1942) * ''

Front Line Kids ''Front Line Kids'' is a 1942 British comedy film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Leslie Fuller.Chibnall & McFarlane p.8 It was made at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith. The film's sets were designed by the art director Andrew Mazze ...

'' (1942) * ''

Gert and Daisy Clean Up ''Gert and Daisy Clean Up'' is a 1942 British comedy film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Elsie Waters, Doris Waters and Iris Vandeleur.Murphy p.174 The film's sets were designed by the art director Andrew Mazzei. It was shot at the Ri ...

'' (1942) * ''

Rose of Tralee (The) Rose of Tralee may refer to: * Rose of Tralee (festival) The Rose of Tralee International Festival is an international event which is celebrated among Irish diaspora, Irish communities all over the world. The festival, held annually in ...

'' (1942) * '' Love Story'' (1944) (associate art director) * ''

I'll Be Your Sweetheart ''I'll Be Your Sweetheart'' is a 1945 British historical musical film directed by Val Guest and starring Margaret Lockwood, Vic Oliver and Michael Rennie. It was the first and only musical film produced by Gainsborough Studios. Commissioned by t ...

'' (1945) * ''

'' (1946) * ''

Dancing with Crime ''Dancing with Crime'' is a 1947 British film noir film directed by John Paddy Carstairs, starring Richard Attenborough, Barry K. Barnes and Sheila Sim. It was shot at Southall Studios with sets designed by the art director Andrew Mazzei. P ...

'' (1947) * '' Just William's Luck'' (1947) * '' The Man Within'' (1947) * ''

'' (1947) * ''

'' (1947) * '' Daughter of Darkness'' (1948) * ''

The Small Voice ''The Small Voice'' (released in the United States as ''The Hideout'') is a 1948 British thriller film directed by Fergus McDonell and starring Valerie Hobson, James Donald and Howard Keel (who was credited as Harold Keel). The film is part of a ...

'' (1948) * ''

This Was a Woman ''This Was a Woman'' is a 1948 British crime film directed by Tim Whelan and starring Sonia Dresdel, Walter Fitzgerald and Emrys Jones. It was made at the Riverside Studios with sets designed by the art directors Ivan King and Andrew Mazzei. ...

'' (1948) * ''

The Romantic Age ''The Romantic Age'' is a 1949 British drama film directed by Edmond T. Gréville. The screenplay by Peggy Barwell and Edward Dryhurst is based on the French novel ''Lycee des jeunes filles'' by Serge Véber. The film was retitled ''Naughty Ar ...

'' (1950) (credited as Anthony Mazzei) * ''

13 East Street ''13 East Street'' is a 1952 British crime thriller film directed by Robert S. Baker and starring Patrick Holt, Sandra Dorne and Sonia Holm.Mackillop & Sinyard p.180 It was shot at Twickenham Studios with some location shooting around London. T ...

'' (1952) * '' Hindle Wakes'' (1952) * ''

The Frightened Man ''The Frightened Man'' is a 1952 British crime film directed by John Gilling and starring Dermot Walsh, Barbara Murray and Charles Victor. It is also known by the alternative title of ''Rosselli and Son'' and was shot at Twickenham and Riverside ...

'' (1952) * ''

The Last Page ''The Last Page'', released in the United States as ''Man Bait'', is a 1952 British film noir produced by Hammer Film Productions starring George Brent, Marguerite Chapman and Diana Dors. The film is notable for being the first Hammer film dire ...

'' (1952) * ''

The Lost Hours ''The Lost Hours'' is a 1952 British film noir directed by David MacDonald and starring Mark Stevens, Jean Kent and John Bentley. It was produced by Tempean Films which specialised in making second features at the time, and marked Kent's fi ...

'' (1952) * ''

Wings of Danger ''Wings of Danger'', released in the United States as ''Dead on Course'', is a 1952 British crime film directed by Terence Fisher and starring Zachary Scott, Robert Beatty and Kay Kendall.Erickson, Ha"Overview: 'Wings of Danger' (1952)."''AllMov ...

'' (1952)

References

Bibliography

* Spicer, Andrew. ''Sydney Box''. Manchester University Press, 2006. * Ede, Laurie N. ''British Film Design: A History''. I.B.Tauris, 2010.

External links

*
BFI
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mazzei, Andrew 1887 births 1975 deaths People from Le Havre British art directors French art directors French emigrants to the United Kingdom