Showing posts with label 1930s. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1930s. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Vintage 1930s film: It Happened One Night

Yes, he's eating a carrot.
Lovely, floating gown, incredibly cute actress.

The gorgeous couple.


Until this week, I had never seen It Happened One Night, released in 1934 and directed by Frank Capra. Can you believe it? I like old movies, romantic comedies and Clark Gable, and it had never even crossed my radar. Well, in case you've been living captive in an Oak tree like I apparently have, I recommend it to you. I really, really liked it.

Claudette Colbert plays a rich girl, newly married to a man of whom her father disapproves, on the run from her family, and Clark Gable is the newspaper man she meets on the bus who comes to assist her. In the special features it was stated that Colbert did not enjoy making the film, but you can't tell a bit onscreen. Gable and Colbert have believable chemistry as they fall in love. They are plucky,sassy and sexy. Plus, they're both absolute eye candy. Her outfits, though few, are fabulous, and she looks so dear in his pajamas. Try not to love the hitch hiking scene.

I award this movie extra points for the group sing on the bus of "The Man on the Flying Trapeze," and just for fun, here are the lyrics (at least one version):

THE MAN ON THE FLYING TRAPEZE (1934)


(George Leybourne)

Once I was happy, but now I'm forlorn
Like an old coat that is tattered and torn;
Left on this world to fret and to mourn,
Betrayed by a maid in her teens.

The girl that I loved she was handsome;
I tried all I knew her to please
But I could not please her one quarter so well
As the man upon the trapeze.

He'd fly through the air with the greatest of ease,
That daring young man on the flying trapeze.
His movements were graceful, all girls he could please
And my love he purloined away.

This young man by name was Signor Bona Slang,
Tall, big and handsome, as well made as Chang.
Where'er he appeared the hall loudly rang
With ovation from all people there.

He'd smile from the bar on the people below
And one night he smiled on my love.
She wink'd back at him and she shouted "Bravo,"
As he hung by his nose up above.

Her father and mother were both on my side
And very hard tried to make her my bride;
Her father he sighed, and her mother she cried,
To see her throw herself away.

Twas all no avail, she went there every night,
And would throw him bouquets on the stage,
Which caused him to meet her;
how he ran me down,
To tell you would take a whole page.

One night I as usual went to her dear home,
Found there her father and mother alone.
I asked for my love, and soon they made known,
To my horror that she'd run away.

She'd packed up her box and eloped in the night
With him, with the greatest of ease;
From two stories high he had lowered her down
To the ground on his flying trapeze.

Some months after this I went to the Hall;
Was greatly surprised to see on the wall
A bill in red letters, which did my heart gall,
That she was appearing with him.

He'd taught her gymnastics and dressed her in tights,
To help him live at his ease,
And made her assume a masculine name,
And now she goes on the trapeze.

She'd fly through the air with the greatest of ease,
You'd think her the man young man on the flying trapeze.
Her movements were graceful, all girls she could please,
And that was the end of my love.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Antiquedress.com : My favorite website to dream on

If you need a touch of beauty and glamour to perk up your day, click right now to see the website for Antique Dress . She has just gorgeous things listed.


Fabulous coat.* c. 1926/1927: read description Here



Simply divine Victorian Corset


Sassy 1940's set

Also look at the museum collection. Here are some gems:

1912 Pink Silk Gown



1914 Gold Lame Hobble Gown



1930s Floral Lame Chiffon Gown


I'm crazy in love with these c. 1900 Camibloomers !

Click to see the rest of this c 1900 Dressing Gown Confection




1930s Nightgown & Peignoir

Oh, if I were a rich girl!





*Cleery's possibly hypocritical fur disclaimer: I would not personally buy new fur items, but I figure with vintage fur, you're just ensuring that it doesn't go to waste and the animal(s)didn't die in vain. Thank you for reading my blather.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Vintage 1930s film: Top Hat



















Top Hat was released in 1935 and stars Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Fred is suave, Ginger is dreamy and the film is surprisingly funny. Jerry (Fred) and Dale (Ginger) are attracted to each other from the go, but a case of mistaken identity and a careless marriage prolong the achievement of romantic bliss. Edward Everett Horton and Helen Broderick play their long married and cheerfully manipulative friends.

Unsurprisingly, there's lots of fabulous dancing and the sweet old song "Cheek to Cheek".
Checkout the clip above to watch Jerry hoof and meet the lovely Dale for the first time. This is my favorite costume of Ginger's in the film. I love the satin and lace. Talk about your glamorous night clothes and bedchamber. Lush!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Vintage 1930's film: Dancing Lady





I've decided that as a fan of vintage and history, I need a better film education. With that in mind, my husband and I have decided to devote ourselves to watching movies from the 1920s through the 1960s, as well as modern films that depict those times.

Last night, we viewed Dancing Lady (1933) starring Joan Crawford and Clark Gable. Joan looks young and lovely with huge eyes and great legs. Clark has complete leading man sizzle. It also includes some dancing with Fred Astaire and an appearance by Ted Healy and his Stooges (aka the Three Stooges, whose comedy I've never been able to stand). I'm ignorant of the film's other actors, but I swear there was a man who sounded like Winnie the Pooh, so maybe it was Sterling Holloway. In spite of the DVD box cover, this one's in black and white.

The basic plot is that Joan's character, Janie, is working in a Burlesque house when she's spotted by a rich gentleman who wants to give her a hand. She wants to succeed on her own, and eventually begins to dance in the chorus of a Broadway show directed by a Patch (Gable). Will Janey become a star? Will she marry Mr. Rich Man or will Patch turn her head?

I enjoyed this, even though the plot was a little thin and the dance numbers were somewhat silly. Joan could really dance! The costumes didn't knock me dead, although it was still fun looking. One of the dresses had alarming large feathered sleeves (?), and at least one other had too much going on at the neck (see above). But, the dress with Joan on the staircase is fabulous, isn't it?

Pictures from: amazon.co.uk, lolitasclassics.blogspot.com,nfsa.gov.au, and picasaweb.google.com

Monday, September 22, 2008

Guess which 1930s actress I am!


Cute as a button and sweet as homemade apple pie, you simply ooze class and old world sophistication. You're an amiable soul with a great sense of humor, that makes almost everyone that comes in contact with you adore you from the get go--except for certain costume designers *cough* Edith Head *cough* But she's just jealous of your wylin out sense of style. ;-) A tad on the spoiled side because of your semi-privileged upbringing, you're still one of the most generous and compassionate people around. You're also a very gifted actress, and while you are extremely proud of your cinematic accomplishments, you prefer doing theatre to film.

Now you try: http://www.quizilla.com/quizzes/2568234/which-classic-1930s-actress-are-you

Thelma-Louise
1993-2009

Guinan 1990?-2009

Griffin ?-2010