fashion in film: stage door
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I have lately been on a 1930s movie kick: rewatching all my favorites (like You Can’t Take It With You, the Thin Man series, and The Philadelphia Story, just to name a small few) and haunting TCM for some new ones. The other evening I popped Stage Door in, a movie I hadn’t seen in ages and had forgotten how many cute outfits there are in this picture! I decided I wanted to share a few of my favorites with you (along with my obsessive notes… click on the images to see full-size. Feel free to skip if you’d like!)–I hope you enjoy!
So tell me: what is your favorite movie from the 1930s?
Posted on January 13th, 2010 to 1930s, film fashion, vintage inspiration.
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sponsor spotlight: stelma designs »52 lovely thoughts to “fashion in film: stage door”
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angie.a says:
Oh gosh, I couldn’t pick just one! If we’re leaving out the vintage fashion appeal, then the Wizard of Oz is my all-time favorite movie of any decade! Gone with the Wind is in my top 5. But for just sheer fun & great fashions, I adore It Happened One Night and Bringing Up Baby.
Great post…LOVE all the sailor pants. I’ve been wanting to make a pair anyway, so this was just one more nudge!
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Ann says:
Love this post! I’m a huge Ginger fan. It’s impossible to pick A favorite film from the 30s (perhaps any Cagney film? He’s so dreamy!), but on the list would be all the Fred/Ginger movies. Ginger’s clothing was always so fantastic. Not just the gowns either, but random things, like her ‘sailor’ outfit from Follow the Fleet ( http://www.doctormacro1.info/Images/Rogers,%20Ginger/Annex/NRFPT/Annex%20-%20Rogers,%20Ginger%20(Follow%20the%20Fleet)_NRFPT_01.jpg ). Follow the Fleet also has what I think is the best Fred/Ginger dance sequence: Let’s Face the Music and Dance.
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Erika says:
Wonderful images! Makes me want to go home and rummage through the closet =)
Fashion aside, I really like “To kill a mockingbird”, with Gregory Peck. It’s filmed -62, but set in the 30s. Some nice clothes, but more important: a great movie based on a wonderful novel.
Cheers! -
Marmielu says:
You know my favorite movie from that time – You Can’t Take It With You. I just loved the outfits in that, especially the evening gown. Lots of cute stuff here. I, too, really like the sailor inspired outfits and that dropped waist (?) polka dot dress. I like polka dots in theory, just don’t feel comfortable in them myself.
XO
Mom -
sunshine says:
30s rehearsal costumes are my favorite!
i’m more of a stanwyk fan than ginger rogers – fav for content is baby face. and i love everything myrna loy wears in the thin man movies -
Alyssa says:
I’ve never gotten far into ’30s movies…however my sister and I have recently fallen in love with The Thin Man series and I loved Gone With the Wind as a little kid. I’ll be checking your suggestions out soon!
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Amy says:
I love old movies. I am always watching Netflix online. I have to see too see Stage Door now. I love all the pretty details. How beautiful is their hair? They’re all so feminine, but with a pinch of sass.
Wish I could go back in time. -
Tuppence says:
The Women is my favorite, but it just barely squeaks in the 30′s. How could you not adore that in-color fashion show in the middle of the movie?!?!
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Kelley Anne says:
Oh The Philadelphia Story would be my favorite 30′s movie, well one of my favorites in general. I love Katherine Hepburn’s costumes throughout, but especially the lovely bathing costume and robe she wears.
You’re right these are wonderful! I really like the dress with suspenders and her hairstyle, along with the playsuit and fur.
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meaghan says:
oh boy oh boy i’ve been reading her bio and honestly she really does have the greatest outfits! the playsuit in the top picture is my favourite for sure.
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Bridget says:
I was in the play in high school (completely different from the movie) and played Linda Shaw. It was fantastic…I got to wear this excellent old-school gold lingerie piece with blue-dyed feathers from the 1930s. ===my favorite.
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Kelly says:
oh, casey, You Can’t Take it With You is one of my all time favorites! i can’t really pick my favorite film of that decade. i love screwball comedies (i wrote my thesis on them) and the musicals of that era. it’s far too difficult to choose just one!
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Jill says:
Love The Thin Man and My Man Godfrey and Dinner at Eight and Libeled Lady and the list goes on and on! Great post!
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Quincy says:
I’m crazy about this post! I’ve been all about films from the 30s lately too! I really think it has to be my favorite era for fashion. So many sweet dresses and sailor inspired outfits, oh my! One of my favorite movies from the 30s has to be The Gay Divorce. There is a song and dance number called Lets Knock Knees, and its the best! I also love Nothing Sacred with Carole Lombard
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Karen says:
January 13th, 2010 at 10:10 am
What a fun post! Loving these pictures, and need to see Stage Door!
You have already listed some of my favorites. I would add Holiday (Hepburn and Grant), The Awful Truth, and It Happened One Night.
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lsaspacey says:
January 13th, 2010 at 10:15 am
Cool! Please do this for more films you like; if you want. I can’t capture images but love looking at the costumes of these films. I just have to memorize the details unless I get lucky and find a book that has the image in it. Actually one Flickr user has a great collection of images you might like.
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Laura says:
January 13th, 2010 at 11:03 am
Ah! Gee! ANYTHING Ginger!
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ali says:
January 13th, 2010 at 11:19 am
oh very cute; but you know, for the ultimate style adventure you’ve got to watch 1939′s the women!
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Leilani says:
January 13th, 2010 at 11:19 am
How fun, I’ve been re-watching classic movies just for all the fashion & interior design details… I catch new things every time I watch one of my favorites. I need to invest in Netflix so I can have more at my disposal!
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Heather says:
January 13th, 2010 at 11:24 am
It was actually Katherine’s hair in Stage Door that got me hooked on classic movies. There’s one, probably rather unknown, movie from the 30′s that I love – My Love Came Back, starring Olivia De Havilland…. and in it, they take classical music, but play it big band style. I just love that! And of course the fashions are beautiful. I like Bringing Up Baby, and The Philadelphia Story too… and I know I’ve enjoyed some Ginger Roger films, but I don’t remember them at the moment. However, I really don’t like some of the really popular movies from the 30′s like Gone With The Wind, or The Wizard Of Oz… though I think it has a lot to do with not really caring for Judy Garland or Vivian Leigh. I guess that’s it, I don’t really know what else to say, other than I think the 30′s is one of my favorite fashion decades. So stylish, and cute…
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Lauren says:
January 13th, 2010 at 11:59 am
Whoopee! Love those stills!
You’ve already mentioned some amazing ones! Stage Door has fab costumes, as does You Can’t Take it With You.
I ditto the Gay Divorcee, but I really love nearly everything Ginger wore in the 30s. 30′s Beachwear? YUM. Roberta has some fab costumes as well… Fred sings a whole fashion show and there’s scrumptious evening gowns and sportswear. And, of course, Follow the Fleet for fun nautical inspired outfits.
Fav 30s fashion flicks? The above, but The Women has to be tops on that list. Pure Adrian fabulousness. *swoons* I might have to pop that in now…
Vogues of 1938 is fun, as is Artists and Models Abroad. Unfortunately the only DVDs available are really rotten blurry copies.
I *heart* late 30s collegiate looks, so College Swing and Varsity Show have to be near the top of my fashion flicks list as well!
And, of course as you mentioned, anything Nora Charles wears (the hats! The hats!) makes me swoon.
Love this post! -
anja louise says:
January 13th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
I love this era, especially for summer clothes! I found a really cute black skirt that has a little row of buttons that remind me so much of late 30′s tap outfits, it was one of those items that I bought just because it was a great basic black skirt, but once I put it on and really noticed the buttons I fell in love with it!
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Sally Jane says:
January 13th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
I’m always a sucker for the fashion in these movies. Even though they’re usually too fancy for everyday sort of wear, I can’t help but daydream.
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Mel says:
January 13th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Oh I love these stills! Stage Door has some of the greatest outfits for inspiration! I remember watching it a few months and wanting to buy a dress like the ones the girls wear to lounge around the house in. Those rehearsal playsuits are also so wonderful! I love this film! This is definitely one of my favorite 1930s films, but I also like The Thin Man series and Fred and Ginger films! Oh and I definitely cannot forget The Women, a great source of inspiration and just all-around hilarious!
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Sarah says:
January 13th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
You named two of them! ‘The Philadelphia Story’ and ‘You Can’t Take It With You’. I also love ‘Amazing Adventure’ – Cary Grant’s love interest wears some adorable outfits with those super exaggerated collars. Oh! And I must not forget ‘Bachelor Mother’ with Ginger Rogers – I love how these 1930s movies always depict “working class” girls wearing the most luxurious high fashions. I suppose that was the fantasy of Hollywood!
This post makes me happy! I always loved the clothes in Stage Door, and am feeling so inspired after looking at your pictures!
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Kathy says:
January 13th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Hands down, Easy Living. Absolutely love it!
Imbd link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028816/ -
Jesslyn says:
January 13th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
I love Love LOVE The Thin Man series. Watched a couple of them over Christmas, actually.
And the original The Women. Such great clothes in that one! -
Francy says:
January 13th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Love these photos. They are so glamourous! I love ’30s films, but I think my favorites are It Happened One Night and The Thin Man series!
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Grace says:
January 13th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
I haven’t really gotten into thirties movies. But the best I’ve seen so far is “The Women”. The clothing was amazing in my opinion.
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Kristina says:
Well, we talked about this in e-mail. My favorite of all time is the 1938 version of ‘The Women’. It’s my go to movie. Whenever there’s nothing on TV (which is often the case these days) I pop that in and watch it.
I love the fashions and hair and…..just everything in that movie.
My second favorite would be anything with Katherine Hepburn (but most specifically ‘Philadelphia Story’). She’s just my favorite actress of all time. Always beauitful, always elegeant, and yet so athletic and well rounded.
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reilly says:
You know I love this post!! Thanks so much for sharing, there is so much inspiration for me here!
I couldn’t pick just one, but I’ll go with all William Powell movies. I love The Thin Man series and My Man Godfrey.
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Dixie says:
Here’s another Ginger Rogers costume. Sorry, it’s a photograph of a TV screen, but the sweater was too cute! I’m thinking that heart might have been pink?
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Lauryn says:
Oh, definitely The Philadelphia Story. Jimmy Stewart is my favorite actor! Plus the dresses are lovely! I also love Born to Dance, His Girl Friday, Vivacious Lady, and Bringing Up Baby. I’ve never seen Stage Door, but I will have to check it out!
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Inky says:
mmm, favorite is tough, but what comes to mind first is the brilliant 1939 The Women, directed by George Cukor. Clever witty dialogue, interesting relationship dynamics, crazy wardrobe by Adrian and JOAN CRAWFORD.
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Frankie says:
What a great post, I’ve always been in love with rehearsal outfits worn by chorus girls in the 30′s-40′s, they’re so cute, I’ve been sporting tap pants a lot lately! My fave 1930′s movie, and one of my favorite films of all time is “It Happened One Night”…I adore Clark Gable & all the witty banter!
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allison says:
ukulele! my latest hobby. recently watched It Happened One Night on netflix instant (love all their classics that stream). although Ellie is in the same outfit for most of the movie, when she returns home to her rich daddy, she wears the most beautiful silk dress. awesome 1930s wedding scene, too!
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Victoria says:
Oh how I long for cute hair and modest classic clothing. Oh Goodness!
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Anna says:
Oh my goodness. I love thirties fashion. 40′s and 50′s is cute, but I just go crazy over anything from the the thirties and thirties movies are the absolute best! If you haven’t read it yet, you should try to get your hands on The Way We Wore by Marsha Hunt. Fabulous fashion plates from her days as a model and actress (she was in Pride and Prejudice with Greer Garson) in the thirties and forties before she was blacklisted. I used to keep it almost perpetually checked out from the Library when I was a kid. haha.
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Aleksandra says:
It is no question my favorite movie of the time is Wizard of Oz. I’m sure it seems like such a simple answar but it really is an amazing movie and Judy Garland is a doll. I also love Shirley Temple movies. I don’t think I have one I love more then another but she is such a cutie pie and those song you can’t forget.
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jasmine says:
stage door is a fantastic movie. it was the one that really cemented my love for ginger rogers. she was just so adorable with her uke and her attitude! and of course i was drooling over the clothes throughout.
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Suzie says:
My husband laughs at me – he’ll walk into a room where I’m watching an old movie and ask why the volume is down – I’m watching the clothes!
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Christine H. says:
January 13th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
It Happened One Night is definitely one of my favorites. I haven’t seen Stage Door in ages either (I miss TCM. Boo.). I really, really, really love Ginger’s suspender skirt & blouse outfit you highlighted…I wonder if I could pull that off at work? Hmmm, I’ll have to add this to my long list of inspirational ideas.
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Rhiannon says:
January 13th, 2010 at 10:42 pm
Wow, I didn’t remember all the great fashion in Stage Door either!!! All I remember about it was the sort of melodramatic stuff at the end and how much I wanted to be Ginger’s friend! She cracks me up. I love that little romper she wears especially! I’ll have to rent that movie again.
’30s movies are so great for fashion . . . I guess I’ve always loved Golddiggers of 1933 for depression era fashion and because the rehearsal outfits are always so great. And it’s hard to pick favorites! Maybe It Happened One Night, the Astaire/Rogers movies, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington . . .
Great post!!
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Andi B. Goode says:
January 13th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Oh, Casey, you have no idea how much I wanted to cry when I watched this film, from the sheer, utter cuteness of all of the clothes. On another note, you mentioned that Ginger’s rehearsal outfit reminded you of the playsuits with matching skirts…I found one, yesterday! I could’ve died. But I just bought it instead. ;]
-Andi x -
Kate in Belgrade says:
All those great outfits in one movie? Why, it’s like watching a fashion parade of all the patterns I eye on eBay and wonder, ‘How would that look made up?’ Seeing your photos really makes me want to sew a wardrobe of cute day dresses for the spring.
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Andrea says:
I love this era, and have never seen these stills! Thanks so much for sharing them. The suspender outfits are so cute.
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Anna Allen says:
oh casey, this is grand! i love this idea. i might have to dig up some old films and do the same thing.
i adore ‘stage door.’ the clothing is fabulous. another great movie with ginger is ‘having a wonderful time.’ some super cute sports clothes and adorable sailor trousers in that film! if you haven’t seen it, you MUST! -
Jennifer says:
I love Stage Door (and your blog)! If I had to pick just one favourite from the ’30′s, then it would have to be either Stand-In or The Ex-Mrs. Bradford.
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ashley says:
My favorite film of the 30′s is You Can’t Take It With You…I named my personal blog ‘Learn the Big Apple’ for obvious reasons.
That said, Stage Door is my GO TO film for 30′s fashion. I adore Ginger Rogers in that movie. I’ve referred people to it for how to set rag rollres, to how to construct a pageboy, to how to use hair accessories in 30′s hair. It is A PHENOMENAL example of young female style from the era.
Love YOU for mentioning it and providing these wonderful stills.
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Melanie says:
January 20th, 2010 at 12:19 am
Oh what a wonderful film! Haven’t seen it for a few years. My *favourite* ’30s film is The Mad Miss Manton with Babara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda. It’s hilarously mad-cap, and there are so many women in the most wonderful outfits.
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Peter says:
February 4th, 2010 at 10:43 am
Casey, I have loved this movie for years and I agree that the costume design is sensational. The gowns were designed by Muriel King, who was featured in an FIT show last year.
More about King here:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/03/prweb2210104.htm
Great posting!
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Meg says:
I can’t believe I didn’t notice it the first time, but OMG Eve Arden has a LIVE CAT draped around her shoulders! I was wondering why she’d be wearing a fur stole with such a casual outfit, and when I looked closer…it was a kitty! Oh, I am cracking up. Thanks again for sharing these!
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