Nostalgia has seldom been so well-appointed and lovingly executed as it is on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” For Amazon’s hit series, no detail is too small to get right. And now, instead of merely watching the show to see the spot-on late-’50’s/early-’60s sets, fans can immerse themselves into a splendid, new exhibition at the Paley Center for Media in Midtown (25 W. 52nd St.).
The vintage hair dryers and plastic flowered smocks worn while having your hair done were selected from the show’s Steiner Resort beauty-salon set. A classic Revlon lipstick-color chart with shades called Queen of Diamonds and Cherries in the Snow, is from the set of the department store where Midge Maisel works.
Those items and that replica of a Stage Deli booth — accompanied by a film strip of a blond waitress who sidles up and takes your order — whisk you back to the late 1950s, the era in which Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino’s series takes place.
All three film sets described above — as well as costumes, costume sketches and something as random as a Catskills beauty-contest score card — are on view through Sept. 6 at “Making Maisel Marvelous,” the free exhibition. One walk-through makes it easy to see why the series, which won eight Emmy Awards last year and is up for another 20, has so captivated its viewers’ imaginations.
Curated by Amazon Studios, which produces the series, the 1950s outfits alone — which Donna Zakowska created for Rachel Brosnahan, who plays Midge, and Marin Hinkle, who plays Midge’s mother, Rose — are alluring enough. But it’s the exhibit’s interactive elements that really make you feel you are there.
“Mrs. Maisel” production designer Bill Groom contributed the ancient RCA color cameras used in the Season 2 episode in which Midge makes her first television appearance — as part of an arthritis telethon. The cameras are flanked on one side by a bank of primitive TV monitors and the “mod” curtain and stage floor on the other. Visitors can stand in the same spot where Midge did her midnight stand-up act and see themselves on the monitor on the opposite wall — so have your best jokes ready!
A replica of the B. Altman department store set, which is actually filmed at the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center in Brooklyn, includes the antique switchboard where Mrs. Maisel wheels around on a chair connecting calls and helping her fellow exasperated operators deal with customers. A headset at the far right of the switchboard allows visitors to hear conversations between Midge, her manager Susie Myerson (Alex Borstein), father Abe Weissman (Tony Shalhoub) and estranged husband, Joel Maisel (Michael Zegen).
Some of the most memorable episodes of Season 2 took place in Paris. The “Mrs. Maisel” crew traveled there, filming for several weeks near the church of Saint-Sulpice on the Left Bank. Visitors are reminded of those romantic hours by sitting in an armchair next to a fabulous armoire that stores Rose’s dresses, suits and chic collection of high heels.
Some props, like the bottles of nail polish in the Elizabeth Arden display case in the B. Altman’s set, are glued to the counter, just in case any visitors are tempted to pry them loose for a keepsake. So far, says Paley Center spokeswoman Teresa Brady, no one’s tried. “We have very honest visitors,” she says.
Meanwhile, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” has been filming around town, so keep an eye out for the stars and the vintage cars. Season 3 premieres later this year.
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” stars Rachel Brosnahan and Alex Borstein appear in a scene at the Stage Deli.
Nicole Rivelli/Amazon
Nicole and Nixaliz Peralta check out the diner booth from the series.
Stefano Giovannini
The Paris set and the Stage Deli booth are faithfully rendered for the exhibit.
Marion Curtis / StarPix
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” makes use of some lovely frocks and smocks.
Marion Curtis / StarPix
Black and white TV monitors from the Season 2 telethon scenes.
Marion Curtis / StarPix
Visitors check out the set pieces.
Stefano Giovannini
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