Because it seems, Nicholson was allergic to a substance that’s utilized by virtually each particular results make-up artist on the market. “One of many ironies of my life is I’m allergic to spirit gum, the fundamental unit to film make-up,” he admitted. If you happen to’re not acquainted, spirit gum is an adhesive that mixes an alcohol substance and a resin collectively to carry on prosthetic home equipment just like the elongated chin of the Joker. Spirit gum confirmed up for the primary time within the late nineteenth century to be used within the theater. It isn’t simple on the pores and skin, even in case you’re not allergic, and requires both alcohol, cocoa butter, petroleum jelly, or related substances to take away. For sure, it might probably trigger redness and irritation, even in the very best of circumstances.
As a former make-up artist who can be allergic to spirit gum, I can inform you firsthand, each from utilizing it on different folks and having it used on me after I was an actor, it might probably take weeks to get your pores and skin again to regular. Although Nicholson did not communicate on the outcomes of his allergy throughout the manufacturing, I can inform you about mine, which concerned breakouts, scaly pores and skin, and itchiness that made me need to claw my face off. One assumes that Nicholson channeled that into his good efficiency.
If you would like to rewatch “Batman” to additional admire what Nicholson went via for the position, it is at the moment streaming on Max.