42nd St. Nocturne

Xavier J. Barile, 42nd St. Nocturne, 1953, oil on fabric: canvas mounted on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Xavier J. Barile, 1979.14.2
Copied 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
42nd St. Nocturne
Artist
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
Subjects
  • Architecture Exterior — civic — theater
  • Architecture Exterior — civic — Apollo Theater
  • Cityscape — New York — New York
  • Figure group
  • Cityscape — street — 42nd Street
  • Cityscape — time — night
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."

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