MovieChat Forums > Smart Woman (1931) Discussion > The CLOTHES! The makeup! And the cracks...

The CLOTHES! The makeup! And the cracks!

posted 14 years ago by Pamela-5
8 replies | jump to latest

Did anyone notice how cute the women's clothes were? Very attractive! Here it is, 2010, and I'd buy them! In one scene, Mary Astor is wearing a very cute cardigan and matching skirt. Then the outfit with the dots and ruffles -- magnifique! Finally, there was the fabulous organza "garden" ensemble worn by Ms. Astor. Flowing, gorgeous, and very very feminine. All thanks to the Danish costume designer.

And I loved the comment from one of the characters about the interloping female and her mother who were going to stay at the estate: "One of those blondes -- with a mother. They hunt together. What the gal shoots down, Mama drags home." Hah! Sounds like Lindsey and Dina Lohan!

Check out the eye makeup on "the blonde," Peggy Prescott. Pretty modern, if you ask me!

[–] Echo_in_big_sky 13 years ago

Agreed! Awesome cracks, and all the sharp pointy objects, lol.
[i]Always the wedding officiant, never the bride.[/]

[–] lnoft97 13 years ago

OMG! I looked this up and came here to say exactly the same thing! What beautiful, beautiful clothes! My hipster chick daughter sneers at me when I watch things like this: "Mom! WHY are you watching that boring old black and white movie?? It's so boring!" Me: "Boring it may or may not be, my sweet, these oldies have some historical value if you are at all interested in film - but just look at those stunning gowns!" Daughter: "....yeah, you got a point, Mom!" That low-cut slinky black number! The lacy afternoon dress!

Oh, to be a rich, RICH, languid 30's era woman-of-the-world, wafting about my ginormous art deco mansion, giving instructions to the servants. My biggest problem would be selecting which delicious tea gown to wear every afternoon, and making a reservation for the evening at one of those humongous night clubs full of little tables, where you drink martinis and watch a Busby Berkely musical number!

[–] Echo_in_big_sky 13 years ago

Yeah, that, and to have a choice of rich men. I'd have dumped that weasel of a husband for Harrington any day!

[i]Always the wedding officiant, never the bride.[/]

[–] cattcarn 10 years ago

Me too! The husband was a total scuzzball.

[–] cattcarn 10 years ago

My absolute favorite dress was the one Mary Astor wore on the night she takes her husband back. Low V front and back. So elegant and modern. I'd love it as a cocktail dress.

[–] Echo_in_big_sky 10 years ago

I wish more current movie stars would be inspired by these classic styles when they take to the red carpet. I guess current designers are not allowed to steal designs from the original designers, but it would sure be nice if they could recreate them and give credit to the original designers.

Always the officiant, never the bride.
http://www.WithThisKissITheeWed.com

[–] hawaii-412-571667 10 years ago

I love 30s and early 40s movies because of the women's clothing. Although they didn't do too much to accentuate the top the rest of the dress show the body as smooth, slim, and very sexy. I told a lady friend of mine about why I loved movies from that era just the other day. I think she'll agree with me. I don't pay too much attention to the dress itself, it's what inside I'm attracted to.

[–] jonkennedy 8 years ago

Yes, the clothes were tremendous! That black backless, v-neck evening gown Mary Astor wore was was stunning. As someone else in this thread mentioned, it's too bad women of today don't take cues from the movie stars of the '30's and '40s when it comes to evening clothes. The likes of Howard Shoup, Renie, Edith Head, Walter Plunkett, Adrian, Orry-Kelly, etc. must be rolling over in their graves seeing what's being worn on the red carpet these days.

Oh, and don't forget the house! From the exteriors at least, it was someone's real house! The columns, covered entrance drive, the huge porch. Nice!