Film Fashion Friday: A Yank In The R.A.F. (1941)

It seems that I am still in a Betty Grable mood! The films for this week both star the starlet and are great fashion inspirations, each in their own way. The main film I chose is A Yank in the R.A.F. (1941). I saw this for the first time a few weeks ago and fell in love with Tyrone Power all over again. :) I also loved that Grable was shown as an "everyday" girl in the film, wearing dresses that can be found today by us vintage gals. The film presents a lot of practical, obtainable looks, thus making it my main film.

Travis Banton did the costumes for this film and while it says he designed them himself, I am thinking that a lot of the street clothing for Grable might have been things off the rack. Her two showgirl costumes are brilliant, sparkly, and great looks for your inner pin-up. It seems that Banton worked a quite a few Grable films, which is probably why she looked so good, he knew her shape and what looked best on her. Banton also designed the gowns for Claduette Colbert in Cleopatra (1934), which if you haven't seen you should, it's ever so scandalous with Claduette taking a milk bath. I think I might actually do a whole post on this film!

I am sure many of you have seen Pin-Up Girl (1944), but I just had to mention it since I feel it is one of Grable's most stylish films. Rene Hubert designed the iconic costumes for this film and worked with the likes of Vivien Leigh and Merle Oberon. One of my favorite costumes in this film is the pajamas Grable wears on the train. Yellow is my favorite color, so maybe I am a little bias, but I think they are just divine. I also like the green suit she trades with her friend at the Navy office, that is such a cute outfit, complete with matching handbag!

Both films are available on DVD and Pin-Up Girl is a streaming video on Netflix. I wanted to let you guys know that Film Fashion Friday will be on a short break until after my graduation. Posts will resume on April 30th and I am going to do musicals the whole month of May, starting off on the April 30th post. I got some requests for some musicals, so I will do my best to include some favorites and some you may not be familiar with. Until then, keep sending the requests and FFF will be back in two weeks!

Emily

Film Fashion Friday: Since You Went Away (1944)

So, I have a mini obsession with Joseph Cotten, which is reflected in this week's picks for Film Fashion Friday. I apologize now for the lack of pictures. I got both of these films through Netflix and sent them back before I took stills from them. Anyways, the main film is Since You Went Away (1944). This has an all star cast including Claudette Colbert, Jennifer Jones, an older Shirley Temple and of course...Joseph Cotten!!! The story revolves around the girls (mother and two daughters) and how they cope when their father/husband enlists in WWII. There is a great love story between Jones and Robert Walker, who was her ex-husband in real life. I have never been a huge fan of young Shirley Temple and this was the first "older" Shirley film I had seen. I must say that I am now a fan...but only of old Shirley. :) She has great clothes and shoes in this film (and in the honorable mention, too) and I really loved her hair too. I am going to have to study them and try to attempt one of her styles soon!!

Elmer Ellsworth was in charge of the wardrobe for this film and really did a good job. What many may not know is Ellsworth helped in the wardrobe department on some really great films such as Gone with the Wind, Marked Woman, and The Petrified Forest.

Both films this week take place during Christmas and both have great dance party scenes, making both film a must see!!!

I am sure many have seen I'll Be Seeing You (1944), it is a Christmas classic of sorts. Although Ginger doesn't have many different costumes (she mostly appears in one suit with different blouses) there is a great New Years scene that features a lot of lovely ball gowns. The extras are also very well dressed in this film. Edith Head was in charge of Ginger's clothing which shows some of her signature touches.

Next week I am going to try and round up some more films that take place at Christmas time!!

Emily