tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post8526568562205683430..comments2024-02-05T21:23:49.249-08:00Comments on Lady Eve's Reel Life: Fashion in Film Blogathon: Shanghai Express (1932)The Lady Evehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-88446832383306683312013-04-01T21:14:07.229-07:002013-04-01T21:14:07.229-07:00Andina, I'll admit that I have issues with the...Andina, I'll admit that I have issues with the use of fur and feathers and would never wear them myself. At the same time, I can't help but admire the artistry behind the glorious costumes in "Shanghai Express" and how fur and feathers, along with fabricated materials, were used to create them. I hope you have a chance to see this film one day - and the other five films von Sternberg, Dietrich and Banton worked on together. They are all very special.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-33871860343761982972013-04-01T21:04:21.937-07:002013-04-01T21:04:21.937-07:00Kimberly, As a fan of your GlamAmor Style Essentia...Kimberly, As a fan of your GlamAmor Style Essentials (who would love to sit in on your History of Fashion in Film class someday), I'm very happy you enjoyed this piece. I'm passionate about the von Sternberg/Dietrich films and Travis Banton's contribution was enormous - can't be over-estimated. This post is a bit lengthy, but it could have been so much longer. Thank you for your comment!The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-13959007701974454322013-04-01T19:26:29.476-07:002013-04-01T19:26:29.476-07:00Dietrich seemed to love wearing fur and feathers. ...Dietrich seemed to love wearing fur and feathers. I'm not keen on it, but she does look like a screen diva. I still haven't get to know much classic movies, but this sounds great. Lovely choice!Andinahttp://www.inspired-ground.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-24219677300019637102013-04-01T10:44:52.309-07:002013-04-01T10:44:52.309-07:00Love this, Lady Eve! I think you know I love both...Love this, Lady Eve! I think you know I love both Banton and Marlene...in fact, both SHANGHAI EXPRESS and MOROCCO are among THE STYLE ESSENTIALS on GlamAmor and what I teach in my HISTORY OF FASHION IN FILM class. There is so much to love about this collaboration, including with the director Josef von Sternberg. I'm so glad you shared this much of the story of Banton's life...more people need to know it and to respect his incredible contributions to film. Great work!Kimberly Truhlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07568754070267220809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-2842220077001906092013-03-31T20:02:52.114-07:002013-03-31T20:02:52.114-07:00She was always glamorous, whether in an enticing g...She was always glamorous, whether in an enticing gown or crisp suit. She was most stunning, I think, in the gowns Travis Banton, Irene and Jean Louis designed for her at different points in her career. When she worked on "Stage Fright" for Alfred Hitchcock, she insisted that her gowns be designed by Christian Dior. They were and it was agreed that she could keep them. The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-36289029435043703292013-03-31T19:03:18.773-07:002013-03-31T19:03:18.773-07:00Wonderfully researched post!
Some of these outfit...Wonderfully researched post!<br /><br />Some of these outfits I have not previously seen on Ms. Dietrich but they are very feminine and lovely. I also associated her with sharper more angular pieces (shows how much I know, eh?)/iluvcinemahttp://iluvcinema.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-11990729406605146832013-03-31T09:27:12.760-07:002013-03-31T09:27:12.760-07:00Thanks! Here's more on Travis Banton...
Most ...Thanks! Here's more on Travis Banton...<br /><br />Most will say that Banton was one of two great design geniuses in Hollywood during the '30s - the other being (Gilbert) Adrian. According to Edith Head, Banton was treated like royalty by Paramount and was given anything he asked for by the studio. He was the highest paid designer in Hollywood for years. It was very high pressure work, though, and he was dealing with divas on a daily basis. Seems he took his relief in drink and would disappear for unpredictable stretches of time. Paramount finally did not renew his contract and he moved on. One of his last projects was designing costumes for Rosalind Russell for "Auntie Mame" on Broadway in 1956. He died in 1958 at age 63.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-24260870012025177502013-03-31T07:28:06.854-07:002013-03-31T07:28:06.854-07:00Fabulous post! I didn't know much about Travis...Fabulous post! I didn't know much about Travis Banton. The blogathon would not have been complete without a tribute to both Dietrich and Banton.Silver Screeningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955048716754142299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-41907590426274646262013-03-30T21:01:17.713-07:002013-03-30T21:01:17.713-07:00Every one of Dietrich's gowns or ensembles in ...Every one of Dietrich's gowns or ensembles in "Shanghai Express" is stunning, and each unique. By the time "The Scarlet Empress" and "The Devil is a Woman" were made, Dietrich's costumes were positively byzantine - yet still dazzling thanks to Banton's genius.<br /><br />Thanks for hosting the Fashion in Film blogathon again this year, I hope you'll make it an annual event.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-61221126461561671282013-03-30T20:24:56.959-07:002013-03-30T20:24:56.959-07:00Marvelous post! I adore Dietrich and Shanghai Expr...Marvelous post! I adore Dietrich and Shanghai Express is one of my favorites of her films, especially from a fashion standpoint. Shanghai Lily's wardrobe wasn't simply glamorous, it was outrageously glamorous and I love it. Banton by himself was such an incredible designer, but when he collaborated with Dietrich and Von Sternberg, it was magic. You can't watch any of the movies they worked on together and forget the costumes. <br /><br />Thank you so much for joining in my blogathon!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-32855421981485448522013-03-30T17:11:29.481-07:002013-03-30T17:11:29.481-07:00You're so right about the costumes of "Th...You're so right about the costumes of "The Devil is a Woman" - lavish and over the top. Love it.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-83012488842604150402013-03-30T17:06:03.583-07:002013-03-30T17:06:03.583-07:00Thank you, Kay! Such high praise is very flatterin...Thank you, Kay! Such high praise is very flattering and, more than that, part of what makes the hard work that goes into blogging worth it (work you're very familiar with, I know). Have you seen all six of the films von Sternberg, Dietrich and Banton made together?The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-76505139410786396942013-03-30T16:19:55.378-07:002013-03-30T16:19:55.378-07:00Dietrich looks so stunning in Shanghai Express, wi...Dietrich looks so stunning in Shanghai Express, with Garmes' lighting of Banton's costumes. (I think her costumes in this film were only outdone by the designs that Banton did for her when she made The Devil is a Woman, which really lean toward the outre.) Thanks for a great and informative post.Grand Old Movieshttp://grandoldmovies.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-51409700333238143382013-03-30T15:25:11.969-07:002013-03-30T15:25:11.969-07:00One of the reasons I love reading your posts, Lady...One of the reasons I love reading your posts, Lady Eve, is that you combine scholarship with passion and wordsmithery. I watched Shanghai Express for the first time last year and was mesmerized as were so many others. Your turn of phrase is as elegant as the drapery from the hands of Mr. Banton. Well-dressed post, darling! Marlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04442632575933706511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-87186785522345709342013-03-30T14:24:38.382-07:002013-03-30T14:24:38.382-07:00So happy to introduce you to Travis Banton. A geni...So happy to introduce you to Travis Banton. A genius. There has been gossip about Edith Head taking over when he left Paramount (where, she said, he was treated like a god). Who knows what's true, but she always praised him and said she learned everything working for him.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-576169546033657252013-03-30T14:18:41.561-07:002013-03-30T14:18:41.561-07:00Thanks, Karen, I hope you have a chance to see &qu...Thanks, Karen, I hope you have a chance to see "Shanghai Express" soon. It's a wonderful trip into the imagination of Josef von Sternberg.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-7591007084658580842013-03-30T14:15:23.617-07:002013-03-30T14:15:23.617-07:00It's interesting to see Dietrich in earlier ph...It's interesting to see Dietrich in earlier photos and in "the Blue Angel," before she slimmed down and became blonder and blonder, etc. You can see her potential, but the transformation was amazing. She knew how to carry off her new look - and she could wear even the most over-the-top hat or costume (see "The Devil is a Woman") and still be glamorous and seductive.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-14802225624569139162013-03-30T14:10:30.836-07:002013-03-30T14:10:30.836-07:00I could blog for days on these six films and these...I could blog for days on these six films and these three individuals, Christian (and I nearly did). Dietrich in Banton is my personal idea of the ultimate in Hollywood glamor. This has as much to do with the films as the star and the designer. Josef von Sternberg knew how to create an enticing dreamworld and make a centerpiece of his muse. Dietrich was also gorgeous and glamorous wearing Banton in "Desire" and "Angel." Later, without von Sternberg or Banton she seemed to become a bit too stylized and formal. Though I admired her to the end. The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-59440238652925772272013-03-30T13:44:47.058-07:002013-03-30T13:44:47.058-07:00Judy, I wish someone would write the book on Travi...Judy, I wish someone would write the book on Travis Banton, it's overdue. Dietrich is a vision in this film, beautifully and lovingly photographed. She also turns in a fine (and seductive) performance as the insolent, cynical Lily/soft, introspective Magdalen. The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-69605009726036777362013-03-30T13:33:36.199-07:002013-03-30T13:33:36.199-07:00This was very interesting! I'll admit, I hadn&...This was very interesting! I'll admit, I hadn't heard of Travis Banton prior to your post, but I am familiar with his films.<br />You are right, few could wear outlandish clothing and pull it off than Marlene Dietrich. <br />I can't believe Edith Head worked under him! <br />Wonderful post with a great deal of research!Jessica P.http://www.cometoverhollywood.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-63493981798471759592013-03-30T13:26:52.694-07:002013-03-30T13:26:52.694-07:00Watching films costumed by Banton makes me feel ta...Watching films costumed by Banton makes me feel taller, too - plus more elegant and a bit decadent. The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-88876776461815062642013-03-30T13:22:30.936-07:002013-03-30T13:22:30.936-07:00And she wore them beautifully!And she wore them beautifully!The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-46673743702856737422013-03-30T13:21:57.191-07:002013-03-30T13:21:57.191-07:00Travis Banton did beautiful work for other stars (...Travis Banton did beautiful work for other stars (Mae West, Lombard, Claudette Colbert at Paramount), but his gowns for Dietrich are the stuff of (my) dreams.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-55864508641175435662013-03-30T13:18:26.787-07:002013-03-30T13:18:26.787-07:00Greatly enjoyed your post, Eve -- I realize that I...Greatly enjoyed your post, Eve -- I realize that I haven't seen Marlene Dietrich in much, but I have always admired her style. I am now inspired to hunt down my copy of Shanghai Express and give it a watch!Karenhttp://www.shadowsandsatin.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-47645326325216290462013-03-30T12:27:27.392-07:002013-03-30T12:27:27.392-07:00I have been really looking forward to reading your...I have been really looking forward to reading your contribution to the, "Fashion in Film Blogathon". I really admire Marlene Dietrich’s stylish looks in all of her films.. I do not think anyone could wear a hat better than her. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09421976438809816553noreply@blogger.com