I was planning on doing two movies today that are available on DVD, however, they have not arrived in the mail yet from the Warner Archive. So, instead I will extend Fashion Show February into the first week of March and wrap it up then. Today, I will be sharing two movies that are not available on DVD, but show up on TCM quite often. I also have a copy of both of these movies, so feel free to send me an email to inquire about getting a copy.
Cast
Susan Hayward.....Harriet Boyd
Dan Dailey.....Teddy Sherman
George Sanders.....J. F. Noble
Same Jaffe.....Sam Cooper
Costumes by Charles LeMaire
Directed by Michael Gordon
SynopsisA ruthless fashion designer steps on everyone in her way in order to reach the top of her profession. Eventually she is forced to choose between her ambition and the man she loves. (Taken from IMDb)
Fashion ReviewIf you ever get the chance to see this movie, I would highly recommend that you do so. The fashion in this film is exactly what you would expect from a film made in 1951, chalk full of New Look designs. I love seeing fashion sketches in films and here you will see plenty. :) I love movies that show the "backstage" or behind the scenes part of anything and this film does just that. It opens with showing the fashion district in New York City and the factories and machines that create clothing. I am reminded here of the scene in Neptune's Daughter, where Esther Williams takes the group through the factory.
The costumes were created by Charles LeMaire. LeMaire got his start in show business in vaudeville, but moved on to fashion and costume design for broadway. He work on big productions such as the Ziegfeld Follies and The Five O'Clock Girl. When the movies were starting to become more organized, LeMaire moved over to films around 1925. LeMaire was a key part of the creation of the Academy Award for costume design. Pretty cool!! If it weren't for him, we wouldn't have this category. LeMaire was nominated 12 times and won 4 Oscars for his work, which spanned nearly 40 years and included around 200 films. LeMaire really has a great eye for style and design, which is present in this film, but also in many of his other films available on DVD. I would check out All About Eve, Bus Stop, An Affair to Remember, and The Razor's Edge.
Fashion Show ReviewThe fashion show in this film is very similar to the one in the films of last week, were we see the models and the patrons who are viewing the models. What is interesting here, is that many times we are only able to see the models through the mirror behind Hayward and Sanders. It would seem that the camera/director is placing our focus on the actors and what they are saying, but still allowing us to "glance" at the fashions through the mirror.
I Can Get It For You Wholesale is not currently available on DVD. It does appear on TCM and I have a copy for anyone who is interested.
