The Color Purple House Added to OHD on 9/9/10 - Last OHD Update: 8/1/22 40 Comments Another shot of the renovated house. Shot of the house as of 2008 with the Magnolia trees out front. The back of the house. The kitchen and back porch had to be torn down after years of neglect and damage The stairs. The downstairs hallway, facing the front door. You can see the stairs on the left. Here is the only surviving original mantel in the house. I believe located in what was Mister’s and Celie’s bedroom. The upstairs hallway, facing opposite the balcony door. This is the first front shot of the house in the movie. Most of the exterior house scenes were out on the back porch just off from the kitchen. The back porch. You can see the two doors that lead into the kitchen. The big door, that you can barely see, that opens into the central hallway. Here is a front side view of the house. The first thing Celie does is wash the walls that are caked with grease and dirt. It reveals a sunflower pattered wallpaper. The first look at the kitchen. This portion of the house had to be torn down during renovations. In the movie you can see what a man and his unruly kids can do. It was covered in dirt, dust, rotting food, dirty dishes, and cobwebs.. Another shot of the back of the house, including the mailbox. Spielberg wanted the mailbox to almost be like a character in the movie since it was the only thread between Celie and Nettie. Unfortunately, Mister wanted total control over Celie’s life and hid the letters from her until Shug just happen to be standing at the mailbox when the mail was delivered one day. Here is a better look at the back doors that lead into the central hallway on the main floor. Here is a shot of the wonderful fireplace, also used for cooking. I have no knowledge what was added to the house before the movie was shot so cannot confirm what is original and what is not, to the house. This is the only time the sitting room is shown, when Harpo, played by Willard E. Pugh, is introducing Sophia, played by Oprah Winfrey, to Mister. Here is a great shot of the back, the kitchen and porch is where most of the scenes take place. Here is more of the kitchen. This is when Mister is trying to cook for Shug Avery. Later in the movie, Shug Avery makes her appearance. Mister wants to cook her lunch for himself, Celie looks on in amusement. I had never noticed the space under the closet (or stairs?) until I snapped this shot. Here is a shot of the bathroom. It is attached to the guest room, (Shug Avery’s room.) I just loved the mantel in this room. Another shot of the tub. Here Celie is trying to comfort a drunk and crying Shug by brushing her hair. Here is a shot from Celie and Misters room, looking into the kids room. Shug Avery’s picture is atop the dresser. During the renovation in 2008, only one of the original mantels were saved. Judging from the newer pic you’ll see after all these pics, that mantel may be the one the newsletter references as being saved. The best view of the hallway upstairs facing the balcony door. This is when Celie and Shug are about to read the letter. This is after some cleaning and organization by Celie. This is when Mister is trying to fire up the stove to cook for Shug. The dining room. Everyone is gathered together celebrating, was it Easter? This was the great scene of which Oprah ad-libbed her entire speech. Notice that beautiful mantel and built-in cabinet in the corner. Such a shame it could not be saved during the renovation. This room was on the same side as the sitting room Here is the other side of Shug’s room. One of the most saddest and beautiful scenes of the movie. A smoke machine was on the ceiling to give the room a smokey look. Here is the spare bedroom, the room that Shug stayed in. The other side of the hall, opposit the balcony doors. Shug and Celie are about to go through everything to find the letters Nettie had been sending Celie all along. Some of the better views of the layout of the upstairs was when Mister was running around, trying to make himself look presentable for Shug Avery. Each room had 3 doorways, 1 going into the hall with the other 2 to the opposite room. A small closet was inbetween the doors. I think this was looking from the guest room (later Shugs room into the bathroom.) A young Celie played by Desreta Jackson. Akosua Busia played Nettie. Believe it or not, the flowers were actually closer to pink than purple. Some of the flowers closer to the camera had to be painted purple while filming certain times of the day for the rest of the flowers to appear a bit more purple than they actually were. The current owners say that some of the flowers still bloom. Misc: Movie / Famous Houses |
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