42^nd St. Nocturne

Xavier J. Barile, 42nd St. Nocturne, 1953, oil on fabric: canvas mounted on paperboard, 8 ⁷⁄₈ x 11 ⁷⁄₈ in. (22.7 x 30.3 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Xavier J. Barile, 1979.14.2

Artwork Details

Title: 42^nd St. Nocturne
Artist: Xavier J. Barile
Date: 1953
Location: Not on view
Dimensions: 8 ⁷⁄₈ x 11 ⁷⁄₈ in. (22.7 x 30.3 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Xavier J. Barile
Mediums Description: oil on fabric: canvas mounted on paperboard
Classifications: Painting
Subjects: Architecture Exterior — civic — Apollo Theater
Architecture Exterior — civic — theater
Cityscape — time — night
Cityscape — street — 42^nd Street
Figure group
Cityscape — New York — New York
Object Number: 1979.14.2
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1979.14.2

Artwork Description

In 42nd St. Nocturne, Xavier Barile painted New York City's Apollo Theatre aglow beneath a starry sky. Barile's lively "nocturne" shows moviegoers filtering in and out of the theater under a marquee advertising the main feature, The Moon is Blue. Directed by Otto Preminger, this 1953 comedy film caused an uproar when it appeared on the big screen. The story revolves around a virginal young actress pursued by a playboy architect. Preminger released the film without the approval of the Motion Picture Production Code, since he refused to remove such words from the script as "pregnant" and "seduce," language considered objectionable at the time. The director's rebellion was great publicity, and huge crowds flocked to see a movie that, as Barile's marquee advertises, was "spiced by more than a dash of sex."