ABSTRACT
The history of the world’s fascination with Egypt has been well documented—from the Victorian era onward. Moreover, design scholars like Bridget Elliott have routinely identified it as one of the major sources of the Art Deco mode. Scholars have noted that the Egyptian theme in cinema was not limited to onscreen representation. Deco elements include the use of animal skin throws or upholstery, highly polished floors, geometric architectural details, and massive staircases. The sets seem a blend between Art Deco and German Expressionism—especially that for the temple that houses the “Flame of Life.” Art Deco is not linked to a strange, foreign realm, but a contemporary urban one associated with romance, elegance, and glamour—precisely the elements entirely lacking in Cecilia’s life. The prominent, symmetrical, and meandering twin flights of stairs not only provide an engaging space for dance but echo Deco’s interest in ziggurat and curvilinear structures.
