Hollywood Sketchbook

Just in time for Christmas gift giving comes a lavishly illustrated book on Hollywood costume illustration, perfect for anyone who loves fashion, film and art. Author Deborah Nadoolman Landis (who wrote the wonderful Dressed: A Century of Hollywood Costume Design - Harper Collins) features the work of one hundred costume artists of the last century. From Cecil Beaton's sketches of My Fair Lady and Walter Plunkett's designs for Gone With the Wind to Irene Sharaff's costmes for Funny Girl and Katharine Hepburn's favorite designer Adrian, Hollywood Sketchbook takes a fascinating behind- the- scenes tour of an incredible art.

Landis also curated an exhibit on 1o0 of the most iconic costumes on film at London's Victoria and Albert Museum. Hollywood Costume runs through January 27, 2013.

Elois Jenssen: Dishonored Lady, 1947

Orry Kelly: Bordertown, 1935

Orry Kelly Sketches above and below

Cecil Beaton: My Fair Lady

Donfield: Dead Ringer,  1964

Irene Sharaff: Funny Girl, 1968

V&A Exhibit

I have received many emails in regards to Cinema Style's absence for the past month. My mother Dorothy Whitlock passed away several weeks ago -- she was a great fan of movies and fashion and a huge supporter of my work. She took me to my first film "Pillow Talk" and the proverbial die was cast. She will be dearly missed.

Photo Credits: Harper Collins, Vanity Fair

A Tale of Two Crowns

Sequels and remakes seem to be the order of the day in Hollywood as filmmakers continually try to improve on a classic and practice the old adage "imitation is the sincerest for of flattery." Most of the time they miss the mark and should leave well enough alone. And often the remake provides a fresh new take on a classic. Thomas Crown Affair is a perfect case in point of the latter.

I was watching a Tonight Show interview with Pierce Brosnan the other night and the discussion of a possible sequel to his remake of Thomas Crown Affair came up. Apparently no script has been decided
as of yet but hope springs eternal. Both films captured the style and glamour of an era and tell the tale of a cat and mouse caper with a multi millionaire protagonist  and his sophisticated suitor.

The original stars Steve McQueen (who goes against type) as a bored playboy/corporate titan who decides to pull off a bank heist in Boston. Chased by insurance investigator Vicky Anderson (Faye Dunaway), the elegant stylish film is filled with polo, art auctions, dune buggys at the beach and a memorable soundtrack. The film is said to be McQueen's favorite and the part was originally offered to Sean Connery (who would have made an equally wonderful Crown).

The remake stars Pierce Brosnan as the billionaire Crown and Rene Russo as Catherine Banning as the insurance investigator. Similar plot lines but this time the heist is a Monet at the Met and the playground extends from Manhattan to Martinique and racing on the beach is replaced with a flight on a glider and polo is replaced by crashing a catamaran.

Dune buggy scene shot on the beach in Ipswitch

The two seat German glider scene was actually filmed in the studio

Dunaway's wardrobe was designed by Theodora Van Runkle. Faye Dunaway noted in the book Dressed: A Century of Hollywood Costume Design (Harper Collins) "It was the age of the mini, just as it was starting to happen. I said to Thea, 'Let's go very short, this woman doesn't do anything by half measures.' And the micro-mini was born."

Both Dunaway's updo and Russo's hairstyle caused a sensation  and were highly requested and copied....

as were the use of oversize hats in both films....

Production designer Bruno Rubeo and set decorator Leslie Rollins were not allowed to shoot in the Metropolitan so they developed ingenious sets that were identical to the portrait galleries. The interior of the New York public library was used as well as a soundstage.

Crown's to die for townhouse was also shot on a soundstage. Shown below are designs for the entrance hall and study.

Here's hoping for Thomas Crown Part Three....

Photo Credits: MGM, Leslie Rollins, IMDB

Four Legged Stars

While there is no discounting the cinema's power to make a star, we often forget our four legged friends have enjoyed their time on the big screen as well. From Lassie and Flicka to Babe, Beethoven and Benji, we have laughed, cried and given the spike in spotted dog adoptions after 101 Dalmations, we have been influenced as well.

Here are a few of the famous and infamous feline, canine, equine and dare I say swines to grace the silver screen:

Lassie Come Home (1943) Pardon the pun but the beloved baby boomer television show was on the tail of the hit book and films. This particular version starred a young Elizabeth Taylor and Roddy McDowell and a canine actor named Pal as Lassie.

My Friend Flicka (1943) and Flicka (2006). The original starred yet again Roddy McDowell and quite the tearjerker. Watch at your own risk.

Old Yeller (1957) Yet another four hanky tearjerker film with fifties/sixties television icons Fess Parker and Chuck Connors.

The Cat From Outer Space (1978) Another animal film starring Roddy McDowell (!!!) with only a script that Hollywood could dream up.

Asta in the Thin Man series: Wire haired terrier made famous (think pre-Frasier) in the Thin Man detective series with Myrna Loy and William Powell. Shown below is The Shadow of the Thin Man (1941).

That Darn Cat (1965 and remake 1997) Hayley Mills in the original and Christina Ricci in the remake (somehow McDowell must have slept through the casting call) star in this Disney romp about bank robbers and a "mischievous cat." Isn't that a redundant term?

Any cat in a James Bond movie -- A white cat is always seen being stroked in the lap of a villian (seen below is SPECTRE's chief Blofeld) as he plots Bond's demise. The cat never has a name and looks pretty miserable.

Cat in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) The infamous scene where Audrey Hepburn dumps him out of the taxi and into the night's rain would draw all sorts of ASPCA complaints today. Thankfully she came to her senses.

101 Dalmations (1996) Was there ever a better contrast to Cruella de Vil? The childhood book comes to life on the screen not once (1961) but three times (also 2003 when they go to London), sparking in an interest in not only dalmation puppies but anything with a black and white design. Glenn Close as Cruella practically steals the show.

Benji (1974-2004) The poodle, schnauzer and cocker spaniel mix became a television and film sensation, no doubt spawning millions of namesakes across the country. The story lines were pretty similar to Lassie as he was always helping someone overcome something.

For the Love of Benji (1977)

Beethoven (1992-2008) The slobbering St. Bernard named after famed composer Ludwig Beethoven was the focus of six films. Can't blame Hollywood for cashing in on a good concept.

Babe (1998) is the l995 Australian film about a cute little pig with an identity crisis who wants to become a sheep dog. I defy you to order bacon again after seeing this film.

Legally Blonde One and Two (2003): Her pomeranian Bruiser (played by Mooney) was as much a fashion accessory as well as beloved pet.

and last but not least, Marly and Me (2008): I am sure it was a cute movie but no way was I sitting through a movie where the animal has to be put to sleep. Thankfully for the producers book lovers and audiences felt differently and the story was a huge hit.

Owen Wilson, Jennifer Anniston and one of 22 Marley the dogs

used in the film

Dogs and horses (National Velvet, International Velvet, Phar Lap, Seabiscuit and the list goes on and on) seem to fare better in Hollywood than cats who are almost always cast as ominous (The Black Cat), fearful and hissing or even X-rated (remember Felix the Cat?) Perhaps it's a conspiracy or their personalities...ever try to get a cat to pose?

Many thanks to friend and designer Nora Marra for this week's blog suggestion and sorry I never got Binky an agent as I could have been a great stage door mom.

Photo Credits: Fox 2000, Paramount Pictures, MGM, ABC, Walt Disney Pictures and 20th Century Fox, Dressed: A Century of Hollywood Costume Design (Harper Collins).