As technology progressed sound was introduced to film in Hollywood.
Because of this there became more and more films which began to be centred
around sound and more specifically music such as the American musicals for
example. These were originally created as propaganda films for the war and run
from the early thirties and through the forties. Their aim was convey a sense
of hope and community amongst the people who knew that war was coming. Furthermore
they evoked a sense of glamour which, for the common man, was unattainable but
for a short time they were manipulated into thinking that this American dream
could be within his grasp.
These costumes however that were worn in the American musicals
and propaganda films of America were not typical of those common people who
lived and worked for a living every day. There were not there to be relatable
but to be admired the American musical did this through the clothing, adornment
and their grand and exotic locations of their films.
Musicals such as Top hat (1935) starring Fred Astaire and
Ginger Rogers are ideal examples of this glamour which people yearned for. Ginger
Rogers dress worn in the film Top Hat also gave people and ethereal sense of
love which people expected from them both especially when wearing their traditional
formal clothing which could have been considered as their own language of love.
Ginger Rogers dress In the film was made of ostrich
feathers.
‘Their light, drifting quality imparts an airiness and femininity to
the dance beyond the power of dance steps alone. From being a mere mortal
trying to avoid his advances, her character is now in love, and as dreamlike as
any goddess. Even as this article goes to press, many years later, ostrich
dresses are still in fashion and on the red carpet at this year’s Oscars –
“Hilary Swank had her goddess moment in a sequined and feathered strapless
Gucci Premiere gown accented with ostrich feathers”.’
Other films were also made with a central love story at the
heart and with costumes that could speak a thousand words about the characters
which were often wealthy and in love. For example a Gay Divorcee also starring
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers also with a core love story and an obvious
wealth and a flair for fashion. Despite the fact that Astaire and Rogers filmed
many films together all with a very similar and traditional outcomes of a pair
falling in love they were still loved and idolised by audiences for their ideal lifestyle and Rogers especially was loved for her fashion.
Charlotte Cooper
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