OK it's an excellent and under-rated film (=movie) , the costumes are bloody marvellous (= swell) and Fred's always debonaire
but WHY does he use a length of rope to hold up his trousers(pants) ???
("Hard to Handle" number and also in "Needle in a Haystack" in The Gay Divorcee.)
It's bad enough nobody had heard of braces in 1935 (=suspenders) and had to wear their trousers(pants) hoisted up to their armpits
.......
Fred almost always used a handkerchief/rope instead of a belt to hold up his trousers, although i believe it was more of an accessory rather than a necessity
I've danced with you, I'm never gonna dance again - Lucky to Penny in Swingtime, 1936
You're stupid on three counts.
First, we don't need a smartaleck translation.
Second, that's not a "length of rope," he used silk ties as belts, which was a fashion statement, and elegant one it was.
Third, as for braces, Genius, plenty of people wore them in 1935 -- fat people. In those days men normally wore trousers at the waist, just above the navel, because it was natural, since waists were smaller than hips -- except for fat people. Today, trousers are worn on the hip because jeans are worn on the hip or because everybody is fat and their bellies push them down below the waist -- you know, like yours do.
LOL I don't know if you meant that to be funny but it is. It's also a bit harsh, but still funny.
1. In defense of the Brit, I don't think the translation was meant to be condescending; at least that's not how I took it. I thought it was an attempt to be inclusive of us Yanks who may not be familiar with the British terms.
2. I read somewhere why Fred used ties as belts. I think it was on his bio or in the Trivia section of one of his films. I think it was Royal wedding but I can't be sure. Apparently, he picked up that habit after seeing someone else do it but right now I'm drawing a blank as to who inspired it. He was definitely not the originator. Since reading that bit of info I always look at his waist. In earlier projects he wore belts.
3. In regards to belts and suspenders, I think it comes down to individual preference. You may be right that body type plays a role but it still comes down to what the person finds comfortable and functional. As a woman, I prefer belts but on a man I don't have a preference. Whether the guy is wearing suspenders or a belt, his personality and confidence are what I find sexy.
Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]