Hamlet (1948)

Born in Ightham, England, the son of Lieutenant General Sir William Furse; educated at Eton and at the Slade School for Fine Arts. After working as a portrait painter and a commercial artist in Paris, New York, and Philadelphia, Furse began designing sets for the London theatre in the early 1930s. He later rose to prominence through his long association with Laurence Olivier as set designer of the latter's Shakespearean productions at the Old Vic and as art director of several of Olivier's films (HENRY V, 1944; HAMLET, 1948; RICHARD III, 1955; and THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL, 1957). He was the husband of 6-time Oscar®-nominated costume designer Margaret Furse. Furse was also production designer for SAINT JOAN (1957), BONJOUR TRISTESSE (1958), THE ROMAN SPRING OF MRS. STONE (1961) and THE ROAD TO HONG KONG (1962). He designed costumes for UNDER CAPRICORN (1949), THE ANGEL WITH THE TRUMPET (1950), IVANHOE (1952), KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE (1953) and HELEN OF TROY (1956). He worked in the art department for THE TRUE GLORY (1945, uncredited) and ODD MAN OUT (1947, production decor).  Art Direction/Set Decoration (Black & White) 1948: HAMLET - Art Direction  Costume Design (Black & White) 1948: HAMLET 2 nominations, 2 Awards