Film Fashion Friday: Love Before Breakfast (1936)

After a long debate, I have decided to bring back Film Fashion Friday. I needed to reminded myself why I decided to begin this feature in the first place: to aid my Masters work and to share lesser known classic films with my readers. Since this type of feature is now not unique to my blog alone, I am refocusing my goals with these biweekly posts. Instead of just looking at lesser known films, I want to keep my attention on films made during the 20s-60s that represent the fashion of that period; I am weeding out period dramas made post 1960. I feel that most of my readers have heard of or seen these films and I would much rather feature films that have primary verses secondary examples of vintage fashion inspiration. I have also decided to restructure these posts with regards to how they are formatted. Now that I have all the logistics out of the way, let's move onto this week's feature: Love Before Breakfast (1936).

The Players

Carole Lombard.....Kay Colby

Preston Foster.....Scott Miller

Cesar Romero.....Bill Wadsworth

Janet Beecher.....Mrs. Colby

Betty Lawford.....Countess Jane Campanella

Directed by Walter Lang

Miss Lombard's gowns by Travis Banton

Other gowns by Brymer

Synopsis

Carole Lombard is caught between two men in this classic 30s comedy of remarriage. Kay Colby is engaged to Will but has captivated the heart of Scott. When Scott buys the company Will works for and sends him to Japan in an effort to gain some alone time to win the heart of Kay, a love triangle beings to form. Who will win Kay's heart and exchange wedding vows at the conclusion of the film? Will it be the button-pusher Scott or the blue collar Will?

Fashion Review

Not being widely familiar with Carole Lombard, I didn't really know quite what to expect on the fashion level when I purchased the Glamour Collection box set featuring six of Lombard's films from the mid-1930s. I must say, I was impressed with this film's use of both gowns and daily/sport attire. Lombard's gowns were designed by Travis Banton, who worked with the actress on a number of films, most notably My Man Godfrey (1936). I feel that Banton has a true talent for designing the figure hugging liquid satin gowns that are synonymous with the 1930s. I would highly recommend checking out his library if you are a 30s gal at heart and are looking for inspiration. I really like his take on the 30s gown; simple yet never plain.

Brymer did the rest of the supporting cast's gowns, primarily Betty Lawford and Janet Beecher, both whom sport some pretty fabulous looks throughout the course of the film. I feel Brymer did particularly well to dress the supporting female characters in a way that would enhance Lombard, but also allow the supporting actress to have a look distinctly all her own. Both Mrs. Colby and the Countess each have their own "look" that is unique to them, but also allows for Lombard to stand out as the lead female of the film.

One of the things I really loved about the fashion in this film is the keen eye for detail not only with the film's leads but also with all the extras in the film (you can see some smartly dressed extras in the scenes that take place in the nightclubs). This is one of the main fashion strongpoints of the film.

Fashion Grade: 8/10 (for good use of both formal and informal attire).

Love Before Breakfast is available on DVD in the Carole Lombard: The Glamour Collection and is available to rent though Classicflix.com.

Film Fashion Friday: That Night in Rio (1941)

Welcome to week four of Musical Month here at Film Fashion Friday. This week's selection, That Night in Rio, comes from 1941 and has an all star cast, including Alice Faye, Don Ameche, and Carmen Miranda.

This film was pretty cute, plot-wise and very extravagant costume-wise. Don Ameche plays an actor who impersonated a baron, whom Ameche also plays. The actor is in love with Carmen Miranda, but also tends to have a wondering eye. Coincidentally, so does the baron. The baron is married to Alice Faye and you find out early in the film that the baron is having some money trouble, which this carries the plot. The story is cute, but nothing super special. There is, however some great early special effects where it appears that the baron and the actor are both on the screen at once, both embodied by Ameche. There are also some great musical numbers by Miranda. If you haven't seen any of her films, this is a great one to start with.

The costumes were designed by Travis Banton, who I have featured here before. Banton really has a keen eye for elaborate styles and that is apparent in this film. Since the film was released in 1941, I am assuming the great attention to detail on the over-the-top costumes was done in an effort to boost homefront morale. Regardless, I am really loving the zany skirts and hats worn by Miranda. While it may not be fully appropriate to dress like this on any day other than Halloween, you can still channel this look by wearing several bangles or several necklaces at one time, to add a little zest to your vintage dress. I am also loving Faye's hair-do that she dons while wearing the gold dress. I might just have to send a request into LisaFreemontStreet!! And gals, do take note of the second musical sequence; it is full of women dressed in their 1941 best.

This week's recommendation also comes from 1941, Moon Over Miami, starring Betty Grable and Don Ameche. While I have placed this film in the recommendation spot, I really should have featured both of these films as the "main" film for this week. It's just that good!! :)

Grable stars as a girl who impersonates a heiress in an effort to attract a rich man to support her aunt and sister, who are also in on the act, posing as Grable's maid and secretary. She ends up falling for two men, one who is actually rich and one who is putting on front like her. Can you guess who is lying??

As with That Night in Rio, Moon Over Miami's costumes were designed by Travis Banton and you can really see the similarities throughout. Every outfit is well put together and there are a lot of little details. Plus, how could a Grable film not be fashionable? :)

Next Friday is the last week for Musical Month. Please keep sending in your requests. :)

Emily

Film Fashion Friday: Cover Girl (1944)

Hello Darling Readers! Welcome to Musical Month for the Film Fashion Friday Series. I am so delighted to share my picks for this month. I love musicals, they are what got me into classic film. I can remember being a very young girl, no more than 7 or 8, watching some of the greatest musicals ever made. I am still a big fan today and thought what better way to welcome in Spring/Summer weather than some cheery and maybe a bit cheesy musicals!

My main pick for this week is Cover Girl (1944) staring Rita Hayworth and Gene Kelly. I seriously adore this film and if you haven't seen it, you need to put in on your Netflix instant queue. I love that the film isn't bombarded with musical numbers, yet the ones that are present are engaging and spectacular in regards to the filmmaker's choice of costuming and color. This time around, I was totally enamored with Eve Arden's head-wear throughout the course of the film, calumniating at the end of the film with the flowered wreath with attached hairnet. I gotta get me one of those!! :)

Anyways, the film tells the story of a Brooklyn showgirl, Hayworth, who want to make it big-time on Broadway. When she appears on the cover of a magazine, Hayworth is then torn between her genuine love for Gene Kelly and her big aspirations for being a top box office draw showgirl. The costumes designed by Muriel King, Gwen Wakeling, and Travis Banton showcase the eloquent look of the mid-1940s in the cuts and shapes of the gowns and suits worn by both Hayworth and her costars. This film also has a great selection of hats that would make any forties enthusiast envious!

^^Here's just a taste of the film, since there seems to be no trailer available^^

This week's additional recommendation is Top Hat (1935), starring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. I am sure most of you have seen this classic, but on the off chance you haven't; here's a friendly reminder that this is a must see film. Ginger Rogers really has some of the most gorgeous 30s gowns and cute hair styles to boot.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look at my picks. Check back next week for some more fantastic musicals!

Emily

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