Goldie Hawn in a screen shot from Foul Play
Anyone seen the movie Foul Play starring Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase? Released in 1978, the film was written and directed by Colin Higgins. I couldn’t resist posting the IMDB plot summary: “A shy San Francisco librarian and a bumbling cop fall in love as they solve a crime involving albinos, dwarves, and the Catholic Church.” You know, you just have to see this zany pic to get the full effect! Today we spotlight the movie’s ’70s-fabulous interior design, which includes a few trends that continued to shine throughout the ’80s, such as curved shelving and slanted wooden paneling.
Even better, we have two sets to explore–the eclectic San Francisco apartment where Goldie’s character Gloria lives (key scenes unfold here), and the modern houseboat/bachelor pad where Chevy’s character Tony lives. Check out the screen shots below as we uncover some crucial elements of ’70s (and even ’80s) design…
Goldie’s Home
Yellow-gold walls, eclectic furnishings and an abundance of houseplants characterize the apartment of Gloria Mundy (played by Hawn). We’re loving the bookcase below, which features barley twist posts. This antique piece works well with other details, such as the potted fern that rests in the corner of this sunny space:
Goldie Hawn’s eclectic apartment in the film Foul Play
Can we talk textiles?! There’s something irresistible about the olive, mustard and orange floral curtains below, which perfectly match the sofa pattern (shown at the top of the post). Florals in shades such as avocado, gold and rust were key ’70s fabric standouts.
Goldie Hawn in a screen shot from Foul Play
What’s not to love about the curved wicker shelving in the next shot?! Even if you’re not a fan of woven textures, you’ve gotta love the simple, sleek form of this piece, which continued to show up in homes during the ’80s…
Curved shelving in a ’70s bedroom
Here we get a shot of the bedroom (and a view of the living room) while Goldie knits away. Let’s hear it for that brass bed!
A ’70s bedroom
…And I couldn’t resist one more screen shot from this well-designed apartment: a view of the kitchen. The cornflower blue wallpaper is a wonderful contrast to crisp white accents, such as the white and gold-toned mirror below. Again, note the abundance of brassy details…
A cornflower blue ’70s kitchen
Chevy’s Home
We now move on to the houseboat of cop Tony Carlson (played by chase). This cozy dwelling is everything you’d want in a bachelor pad. It has slanted wooden paneling, an abundance of modern art, and plenty of glasses for drinks.
Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase in a screen shot from Foul Play
In fact, it’s hard to resist details like the chrome shelving below, which holds books, plants and other objet d’art.
Slanted wood and chrome shelving in a ’70s houseboat
We end with a shot that includes interior details such as textured sectional seating, complete with pillows featuring a diagonal striped pattern. In fact, I’m thinking of making some pillows with a similar print for my new place… And if you think you see a skeleton in the background, you’re right! Would you expect anything less in the home of a comedic cop?!
A textured ’70s couch and striped pillows
Hope you enjoyed our little excursion into the ’70s today. There’s something warm and inviting about decor from that decade, which I can’t help but incorporate into my interior own design endeavors. Plus, many 1970s pieces blend well with pieces from the ’80s… Happy Wednesday!
I absolutely love this post! Goldie’s apartment in this film also calls to mind the attic apartment inhabited by Mary Richards in The Mary Tyler Moore Show. I once had a house above a garage that was inspired by eclectic 70’s decor. The centerpiece was a fabulous down-filled Henredon sofa in the Mediterranean style. The kitchen was original from the 1940’s but had a fire engine red sink from the 80’s with black countertop, glossy white cabinets, and a black and white tile floor in a crazy quilt pattern. I too, am also a fan of Goldie’s curtains. I would totally use them if I had a place for some like that.
John, thank you so much for your comment! Your place sounds amazing–especially the Henredon sofa and that kitchen with the patterned tile floor! I’ll have to go back and check out Mary Tyler Moore Show episodes… Thanks for the tip!
Anytime! I’m just happy that I found this blog and didn’t just dream that I lived through such an awesome decade!
I just found this blog post by Googling “Goldie’s apartment” +”Foul Play.” Why was I looking for that rather obscure thing? Well, I saw the movie in the theater when it first came out (hilarious!). I was 18, and fell in love with her apartment in the film. I have always remembered it in my mind as having been monochromatic, entirely done in various shades of green. Ever since, it has been in my mind that someday I will decorate my home in all shades of green, which is my favorite color. Now, nearly 40 years later, I am soon-to-be-divorced and redecorating my apartment. I am at a place in my life where I am finally giving myself the things I did not or could not give myself before. So, I am jumping in with a monochromatic color scheme and doing it all in greens – sage, moss, teal, turquoise, aqua, and even a little kelly green. So, I am a little bummed to see that the walls were actually gold! I could swear I remember seeing two tones of green on the walls in one scene. But anyway, it still inspired me! Thanks for the post. And… ya gotta love the fabric on the sofa and matching curtains, right? Right!
So glad you found the post, Diane! We “Foul Play” fans have got to stick together! I too have always loved the use of green in this apartment, and I’ve idolized the space since I was a kid. I’m so glad that you enjoyed the post, and I wish you the best as you redecorate your apartment at this important time in your life. Thank you for sharing, and thank you so much for reading!
I have loved this apartment ever since I saw this movie one rainy Sunday sometime in the 80’s…before Netflix. Back then, we had to just watch what was on one of the 12 stations & Sundays were the best for movies. I was a pre-teen when I saw this & never forgot it. I loved it so much, I shared it with my daughter this past weekend & was so surprised at how modern it still is. Not at all the clichéd 70’s or 80’s that is so often portrayed. Thank you for posting this. I was not sure I would find anything when I googled & am so glad to know that someone else appreciated it too.
Nico, I saw this film as a kid as well, and I regularly re-watch it from time to time. I’m guessing we’re in the same age range, as I definitely remember the joy of Sunday movies. And life before Netflix! I shared the film with my husband last year, and he definitely enjoyed it. I love introducing new people to the movie, and it’s wonderful to find others who are fans like I am. You’re right–it’s definitely timeless and not cliched (well, maybe except for that scene in Dudley Moore’s apartment–ha!) Thanks for your comment!
Great post. It would have been awesome if you have commented about Dudley Moore´s bachelor pad, it´s so cool and so 70´s with the disco ball and the bed with lights! I just saw this film again today after 20 years, i was still a kid last time i saw it and now, after all these years, books, records and movies, i still find it funny and adorable, i just can´t stand the fact not enough people know about it.
Thanks for writing, Brandon. You’re so right about Dudley Moore’s bachelor pad! And you’re also spot on about how this movie holds up over the years. I show it to people who have never heard of it, and it’s always a winner!
This a great post! I love this movie. I was a teenager when I first saw it and then have watched it with my kids over and over again because they enjoyed it so much. We live near San Francisco, so seeing all the action in the city was part of the fun. I came across this post when I searched for Chevy Chase’s bachelor pad. I ride by that area on the bus every day and always wonder if that place is still there and what it might look like now. As to Goldie’s apartment, what girl didn’t dream of having that be her place!
Thanks for your kind words, Natasha! It’s fun to connect with people who also love this film, from its humor to the fabulous design. And I’ll bet it’s double the fun for you since you live near San Francisco. Believe it or not, a Mirror80 reader wrote in and said he was able to find the houseboat that was Chevy’s bachelor pad in the movie, and while he was admiring it, the owner actually came outside and invited him in for a tour! Apparently it’s been remodeled extensively (the wooden siding is gone), but the spiral staircase is still there. The owner said quite a few people come by wanting to get a glimpse of the house (he rents it out half the year too). I don’t know exactly where it is or what the address is, but I thought that was a fun story to share. Thanks again for your comment!
I live in Sausalito and my parents took me with them to see Foul Play at the Bridge theater in SF when I was 9. I love the house boat scene and was trying to find out which boat it was and go check it out in person if it’s still around. Then I came across this blog and LOL several times. I’ve been meaning to put several potted floor and hanging plants in my Sausalito bachelor pad, and now it’s going to happen… I really enjoyed this article!!!
Thank you so much, Kirk! I love that you got to see the movie in SF. And I’m a big fan of plants as well. And slanted wood! Thank you again for your comment. It’s fun chatting with other fans of the film who saw it when they were young.
This paper in Tampa Bay, Florida celebrated “Foul Play’s” 40th Anniversary, July 15, 2018 with this:
https://www.tampabay.com/blogs/80s/2018/07/09/40-years-later-the-appeal-of-foul-play-is-no-mystery/