Palm Springs Celebrates the Escapism of Kalloch's Costumes in 1938's HOLIDAY

 

What could be better than classic film in Palm Springs? On May 5, I introduced George Cukor's Holiday (1938) as part of the Film Society of Screwball Comedy series Screwball Sundays. It was a lovely afternoon at the historic Camelot Theatre. I was thrilled so many people came to see the movie in beautiful 35mm and hear the stories behind its style. We discussed everything from Katharine Hepburn's full circle moment with Holiday to the enormous impact costume designer Kalloch made in the genre of screwball comedy.

The theatre was full and - when I asked from the podium - learned that most of the audience had never seen Holiday. Even so, there were still many film fans in the room. In fact, some like Steven Smith and Margaret McGregor (who took some of the photos below) had even been to past events of mine in Los Angeles. 

Walking up the aisle of the theatre after my introduction, a seated couple grabbed my arm as I passed and said "That was worth the price of admission." Still others gave me much the same message when they came to buy my book. And there was so much laughter through the theatre as we all enjoyed the film together. It doesn't get much better than that.

Thanks to Aliece Pickett for organizing such a fun series and inviting me to be part of it!

My ensemble was inspired by Kalloch's black gown and Joseff of Hollywood necklaces in Holiday -
dress is by Tuckernuck and necklace is 1950s vintage Weiss

With Film Society of Screwball Comedy's Aliece Pickett

Discussion with Aliece after the film

Book signing after the film allowed me to speak with many people, 

including Margaret McGregor who has come to my events and drove all the way from LA

A respite at the La Quinta resort with Kevin

You're Invited! Introducing 1938's HOLIDAY for Palm Springs' Screwball Sundays Series

 

Join me May 5 as I introduce George Cukor's classic film Holiday (1938) and explore the many stories behind its style. The movie is being presented in 35mm by the Film Society of Screwball Comedy as part of their Screwball Sundays series at the historic Camelot Theatre.

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Elevation and Escapism through Costume in 1938's Holiday

Camelot Theatre

Palm Springs

3 pm screening with book signing after the film

Tickets: $12

Click here to purchase tickets

In my introduction, we will explore the enormous significance of Holiday to Katharine Hepburn's career. Then we will examine the communication of character through Robert Kalloch's costume design - from the Seton sisters (Hepburn and Doris Nolan) to Johnny Case (Cary Grant). We will also celebrate Kalloch's vast contributions to both Columbia Pictures and the genre of screwball comedy itself. We'll even be discussing the connection between screwball comedy and film noir.

Click here for more information on the series sponsored by the Film Society of Screwball Comedy.

Celebrating the Glamour of Crime at FASHION IN FILM OF TCMFF 2024

Thanks to all who came to the 7th annual Fashion in Film of TCMFF at the Hollywood Heritage Museum last week! As always, it was a delight to spend time with you and share my insights into some of the movies from this year's programming. We delved into the stories behind the style - of both men and women - in the following films:

She Done Him Wrong (1933)

It Happened One Night (1934)

The Mad Miss Manton (1938)

Double Indemnity (1944)

Chinatown (1974)

I have continued to hear how much people enjoyed the talk since that night, so I couldn't be more thrilled. Here are just a few pics from our evening courtesy of Margot Gerber, Doug and Laura Grieve, Jack Fields, and Elise Crane Derby.

The theme of the TCM Classic Film Festival (TCMFF) was "Most Wanted: Crime and Justice in Film," 

so I chose a red keyhole dress by Donna Morgan that was reminiscent of 1940s film noir 

Paired with a vintage red patent purse, vintage earrings, and leopard faux fur pumps

The Hollywood Heritage Museum was filled to capacity with classic film fans

Watching people continuing to arrive and 

being entertained by Margot's introduction

Welcoming everyone back to the world's biggest family reunion

Getting into the stories behind these five films featured at the festival

The people in these pictures - Michele, Jack, Doug, Aurora, and Margot -

have been to every one of my events before the TCM Classic Film Festival

Kathleen and Dollie have also been to many of my events, including those online

Karin (above) flies in from Europe every year and Elise (below) drives across town -

with LA traffic, hard to say whose trip took the longest

Save the Date! 7th Annual FASHION IN FILM OF TCMFF at Hollywood Heritage Museum 4/17

 

The theme of the 2024 TCM Classic Film Festival (TCMFF) is "Most Wanted: Crime and Justice in Film" and that is just some of what will be shared in the 7th annual Fashion in Film of TCMFF event!

Wednesday, April 17
Fashion in Film of TCMFF 2024

Hollywood Heritage Museum

7:30 - 9:00 pm

Tickets: $15 for Hollywood Heritage members/$25 for non-members

Click here to purchase tickets

Fashion in Film of TCMFF 2024 will delve into the stories behind the style of films featured in the festival's programming. As always, you will enjoy beautiful images from the movies accompanied by a conversation about film history, backstories of the stars, costume and fashion designers, and proof of their ongoing influence.

Costume design helps establish character in film and is often integral to plot lines as well. In addition, many of the actors and actresses were close with their costume designers, so you can get insights into their lives along with the evolution of their style.

Movies I'll discuss at this year's event include everything from The Mad Miss Manton (1938) to the neo noir Chinatown (1974). Attendees will also enjoy a costume exhibition in honor of MGM's 100th anniversary.

Full list of films featured in the event:

She Done Him Wrong (1933)

It Happened One Night (1934)

The Mad Miss Manton (1938)

Double Indemnity (1944)

Chinatown (1974)

Barbara Stanwyck (far left, above) in The Mad Miss Manton (1938)

and Faye Dunaway and Jack Nicholson in Chinatown (1974)

This event is not officially affiliated with the TCM Classic Film Festival. 

If you wish to purchase tickets or have any questions about the event, please contact the Hollywood Heritage Museum.

Featured in Box Set Celebrating Columbia's Centennial and HIS GIRL FRIDAY

 

Happy New Year! 2024 is the 100th anniversary of Columbia Pictures and I'm excited to announce I have my own featurette included in a 4K boxed set that will be released February 13 to celebrate the studio's centennial. I spoke about His Girl Friday (1940) and its costume designer Robert Kalloch. It's a fascinating story with many layers (in more ways than one).

Of course Kalloch's contributions to Columbia don't end there. As the studio's head costume designer from 1932 to 1940, his work also included the equally iconic wardrobe in It Happened One Night (1934) along with Twentieth Century (1934), The Awful Truth (1937), and Holiday (1938).

As you know, I always love showing the ongoing influence of classic film and its costume design. If you watched The Morning Show this past season, Jennifer Aniston wore a pinstripe suit from Dolce & Gabbana for her character's final power move. Of course its origins are courtesy of Kalloch and Rosalind Russell in His Girl Friday.

The limited-edition box set features other Columbia Classics through the decades, such as Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), and Sleepless in Seattle (1993). Click here to see the full list of films and all the extras that are included in this new collection. Because of the new release, I appeared on The Extras podcast with Steven Smith to discuss everything from the early days of Columbia Pictures to exploring even more of what makes His Girl Friday so great.

With director Steven Smith - in navy pinstripe dress, of course - on location for filming featurette

Kalloch's style story for Rosalind Russell in His Girl Friday 

starts with this striped coat and coordinated hat

His Girl Friday's iconic pinstripe suit has inspired countless others in film and fashion,

including the Dolce & Gabbana suit Jennifer Aniston wears in the climax of The Morning Show

Kalloch designed many celebrated wardrobes in film for Columbia including (clockwise from top left)

The Awful Truth (1937), Holiday (1938), It Happened One Night (1934), and Twentieth Century (1934)

September's Conclusion of FILM NOIR STYLE Series at the American Cinematheque

 

Thanks to all who came to the final event in my Film Noir Style series for the American Cinematheque! It was such a pleasure meeting so many new people and spending time with good friends through the series - and all of it because of our shared love of film noir. Much love to Jeff Mantor and Sean Hathwell of the Larry Edmunds Bookshop for all their support through my events. And thanks to Ryan Marker, manager of the Aero Theatre, for being such an incredible host. I can't wait to return.

And a BIG thanks to Theresa Brown who flew all the way across the country from NYC just to see my closing event and Jane Greer in Out of the Past (1947) on the big screen. These events just reminded me yet again what makes our film family so special. I love you all.

For my "Post-War Years" event, I chose a white DKNY dress with blue polkadots and a sweetheart neckline in honor of Rita Hayworth's opening costume from Jean Louis in The Lady from Shanghai (1948). I paired my dress with raspberry patent pumps and a white patent purse.

On screen as the audience entered the theatre

The beginning of my presentation and the

six films noir I covered in the "Post-War Years" event

A couple pics from the audience courtesy of attendee Scott Plissken

With my partner in crime Jeff Mantor of the Larry Edmunds Bookshop (above)

and Aero Theatre manager Ryan Marker (below)

Theresa Brown flew all the way from NYC just to attend my event (above)

and the wonderful Monica Banken (below) attends so many of my events

I was so thrilled that Kevin was able to attend my events this year

and meet so many members of my film family

Theresa stayed and played around Santa Monica for two days, visiting many of the historic places I recommended to her. After my event, we just had to take her to Guido's restaurant in West LA since it was a favorite haunt of Hollywood luminaries like director Michael Cimino (The Deerhunter).

Until next time!