Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/859699
Los Angeles YMCA, which stood in for the Town Tennis Center in New York; the scenes in the locker room of the Tennis Center, shot in the very masculine black marble men's room at Pasadena's Ambassador Auditorium; and the wild party atmosphere at the Los Angeles house where Bobby is popping vitamins and not practicing tennis, shot at the former Connie Stevens' home in Holmby Hills. This classic Hollywood star home had just been sold and was about to be renovated; fortunately, I got to see it in its pure form and got a glimpse into the real life of a star at home. The women tennis players' world, in contrast, is spartan and serious. Their one indulgence is being treated to new hairstyles for a press event. This is an important scene, for it's where Billie Jean first meets Marilyn, who will become her lover. It was also important to show that women can be serious athletes and still care about their appearance. As Billie Jean says, she's a tennis player who happens to be a woman...and also happens to shave her legs. The beauty parlor was created in an empty storefront on Wilshire Boulevard in Koreatown. We wanted a cool look for the space, which had good bones and interesting windows that would incorporate the mod design I had in mind. I incorporated women's profiles and shades of pinks in a way that was very much of the Above, clockwise from top left: A set still of the Hawaiian motel room set, built on Stage 10 at Fox Studios. The bathroom of the Hawaiian motel room set shows the use of clashing green laminate as an example of motel bathroom design. The playroom and tennis court were created on location in Holmby Hills at a house designed by Paul Williams and formerly owned by Connie Stevens. The home (which was gutted just after this scene was shot) reflects the flash and trendiness of Bobby Riggs' boys-club lifestyle. Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) watches television in another production still of the boys' trendy Hollywood hangout. This set laid on the 1970s elements, creating a Playboy Club atmosphere. Below: A photograph of Bobby Riggs' Long Island home, dressed on location in Hancock Park. Note the fashionable but feminine furnishings, showing his lack of power at home.