MovieChat Forums > Hawaii Five-O (1968) Discussion > Always in suits 90% of time

Always in suits 90% of time


Was it policy for cops to wear suits and not casuals back then. I Noticed how mcgaratt is always serious in the suit looking kind of rigid and uncomfortable but if there ever is a scene when he is in casuals he appears more energetic and has sense of humour.

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I remember reading a book by Vincent Bugliosi, And The Sea Will Tell, about a yachting couple that was murdered on Palmyra. The killer went to Hawaii, and Bugliosi talked about the FBI and how they started wearing Hawaiian shirts because somebody noticed that only the FBI walked around in dark suits. Your comment about McGarrett made me remember that anecdote, because it did look kind of funny, the way McGarrett and company had their suits on most of the time. Suits and ties and they always looked so uncomfortable and they really stood out. Maybe that was the idea, though. Maybe it wasn't about wearing plain clothes, maybe the suits gave an air of authority to cops who didn't wear uniforms.

http://thinkingoutloud-descartes.blogspot.com/

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maybe the suits gave an air of authority to cops who didn't wear uniforms. - Zanza8


That, and it presented a professional appearance. McGarrett was a frequent visitor to the Governor's office next door, and you wouldn't want the chief of Hawaii's State Police strolling through the state capitol building in a Hawaiian shirt, shorts, and sandals.

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The new Hawaii Five-0 makes much of the fact that Danny wears a dress shirt and a tie and everybody is always making fun of him, but I think you're absolutely right. There is a certain air of authority that comes with a suit and I like to see McGarrett and his men looking sharp.

http://thinkingoutloud-descartes.blogspot.com/

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Kam Fong was once asked by an extra why they wore suits on the show, and he said, "It's for you guys on the mainland." The extra was from the Midwest.

Though it is more common for policeman to wear Hawaiian shirts in real life, it would look silly on TV if they did. Suits give them a more dignified, stylish look and an air of authority.

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What do you think rabksaj?

I figured that out a long time ago.

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