Film Fashion Friday: The Thin Man Series

The Thin Man (1934)

After the Thin Man (1936)

Another Thin Man (1939)

Shadow of the Thin Man (1941)

The Thin Man Goes Home (1945)

Song of the Thin Man (1947)

Hi All!! Welcome back to Film Fashion Friday! My selection for this week is not one film, but six: The Thin Man Series. I recently acquired the box set and finally got to enjoy watching all films in the correct order. I had only seen four out of the six, so it was a real treat to be able to sit down and watch all six! I know a lot of bloggers have made note of the striped gown Myrna Loy wears in the first film, and while that gown is a gem, I feel that this series stands out as a whole for its keen sense of style through the character of Nora. What I love about Nora is that even know she comes from a wealthy family, she isn't afraid to get dirty and solve mysteries with her husband, Nick. I also love all the wonderful head-wear Nora sports throughout the entire span of the six films. And, I also love how all of her outfits -- from sleepwear to daywear -- are complete. Now Nora is a gal who knows how to accessorize well without over doing it.

The first three films featured Dolly Tree as the costume director/designer. Dolly Tree is one of my absolute favorite old Hollywood costumers. If you haven't ever seen any of her work, watch the first thee Thin Man films and you will know why I love her so! :)

The forth film's costumes (gowns) were done by Robert Kalloch. Kalloch had his hand in many of the great films from the classical period, including Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, His Girl Friday, and Twentieth Century. Kalloch really knew how to make lovely gowns that would flatter his leading lady.

The last two films feature the work of Irene, who I seem to always feature. I guess she is up there with Dolly Tree when it comes to my tastes in old Hollywood fashion.

I highly recommend this week's selections not only for the spectacular eye candy, but also because the films themselves are actually really well put together too. Some are better than others, but they all feature the same gimmicks that the first set up. It's fun to watch for them!

All six films are on DVD and available through Netflix.

More film fashion inspiration coming up next week! As always, requests are always welcomed!

Emily

Film Fashion Friday: Actress Month Selections

The votes are in and actress month beat out all the other categories. So, I have compiled six different starlets for you, my readers, to vote on who you'd like to see for a whole month. I tried to pick ladies that had a long career that spanned over a few decades, as so I could hit on more than one. I really enjoy each of these actresses, but if you'd really love to see someone else, let me know and I will do a post after the series with a few fashionable films on that actress. I know someone has already requested Audrey Hepburn -- so look for a post on her sometime in late February - early March.

Some of the ladies are known for being very fashionable in films; such as Joan Crawford and Lauren Bacall. I also wanted to throw a few lesser known film stars in there and ended up with Linda Darnell -- such an underrated actress. I am also kinda grouping Lucille Ball in there, since some of her early film career is lesser known than her TV show and the films she did with Desi.

I really adore Myrna Loy and Judy Garland, so they made the cut. Loy has so many spectacular films to choose from...if she wins it'll be fun to pick out some of her best. Like Joan, I know that Judy is often either loved or hated. I really made my choices on how these women dress in films and less on how they were in their personal lives.

Please do vote!! I really enjoy reader's suggestions!! Next Friday I will be back with regular Film Fashion Friday posts beginning with the winner of this poll.

Emily

Film Fashion Friday: Wife Versus Secretary (1936)

First, let me apologize for my lateness in putting out this week's film selections. I had the day off of work and took advantage of that to get a lot of errands done and stop by a few estate sales--something I don't normally get a chance to do on Fridays!! Anyways, I am so excited to share this week's films and fashion designer. The main film this week is Wife Versus Secretary (1936). Ever since I saw Public Enemies (2009) this summer, I have really gotten into the look of the '30s. This film features really awesome outfits from the mid-30's.....these outfits are just to die for!!!!

The costumes were designed by Dolly Tree. Miss Tree designed costumes and coordinated wardrobes for over 130 movies during her movie career and some of likes include several Joan Crawford favorites and a few of the movies from the Thin Man series. Miss Tree began her career in Europe in the theatre the costume department. She is created with creating Mae West's signature 1890's look in her 1920's films and is believed to be the first designer to use the strapless gown.

Tree worked for MGM and designed looks for some of the big leading ladies of the 30's; including Jean Harlow and Myrna Low, and later for Judy Garland and Rosalind Russell. I was so excited to feature a film with her designs because I am sure vintage lovers have seen a film with her costumes and just didn't know it was hers. Tree was often overshadowed by other costume designers at MGM, mainly Adrian. I really recommend checking out some more of her movies, her eye and flare for glamour are spot on.

Wife Versus Secretary stars Clark Gable as a New York business man and Mryna Loy as his wife. Jean Harlow plays Gable's secretary. There is also a small, but memorable preformance by James Stewart, as Harlow's boyfriend. As the title suggests, this becomes a love triangle of sorts, without Gable actually engaging in a romantic relationship with Harlow--it is just assumed by the general public that he has cheated on Loy, thus creating a rift between the married couple. I love this film, not only for the great costumes but also because it is a lovable screwball comedy. I just wanted to point out one really great scene, the one pictured above, because it features mostly extras dressed in everyday leisure clothing indicative of the 30's. They are on an ice skating rink, so they have on winter type clothing--prefect to copy now that colder weather has arrived!!!

This week's honorable mention is one of my favorite period films, The War Bride (2001). This movie is the story about a war bride and her trials and successes as she tries to fit in with her husband's family while he is away at war. This is truly a lovely film in every sense of the word. The costumes/accessories are very right on and true to the era, as well as the make-up and hair styling. Some of the costumes remind me a little bit of the ones in The Edge of Love (2008). I highly recommend this movie, and it along with all of the others mentioned in this post are available on DVD and Netflix. Public Enemies will be coming out on DVD in December!!!

Emily