MovieChat Forums > Eyes of Laura Mars (1978) Discussion > Amazing fashion sequences

Amazing fashion sequences

posted 18 years ago by DavidParis
14 replies | jump to latest

I loved the photoshoot sequences of this film - particularly the one at the warehouse with the disco anthem "Let's All Chant" by the Michael Zager Band pumping in the background.

These scenes provide a perfect picture of fashion in NYC during the late 1970s. The models they used were a fixture in the scene, Sterling St Jacques (who later died of AIDS), Winnie Hollman (who had a daughter to Jack Nicholson), Anna Anderson and of course Darlanne Fluegel and Lisa Taylor were all top models of the day.

A great trip back in time.

[–] kwalstedt-1 16 years ago

Do you know who the male model is who gets "shot" and lies in the pool during that photo shoot?

[–] Swift-12 10 years ago

Jim Devine is the one who gets "shot". Dressed in a tux with a dribble of fake blood on his shirt. As I posted over on the IMDB board for him:

"I remember him after all these years. Saw the movie again today, and recognized his scene from my first viewing in the theater. At the time a friend pointed him out and said he was currently a top model. I remember that scene more than the rest of the flick, but then the fashion shoots were much more interesting than the generic suspense bit. The story doesn't hold up as well, but the movie caught the time, place, and vibe of late 70s fashion scene. I wonder how Jim Devine has done over the years."

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[–] macdaoud 16 years ago

God rest Helmut Newton's soul, the man was genius and a true visionary. Whomever brought him into this film was brilliant.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] glam73 15 years ago

The fashions are spot on and even a little ahead of the times. The film was shot in late 77 and there's not one "platform shoe" in sight on the models [thank god] and all of faye dunaways looks easily could be from 81/82
as well as 77/78.

The "photo session" secnes are amazing...probably the best ever captured on film.

[–] oprlvr33 14 years ago

Yes, glam, thank you!
That was a huge point of the effect I noticed also. The stereotype 'fashion' Platform Shoes were NOT featured, especially on the Models. Kudos to Kershner and his crew for keeping it real.

Similar to prior decades IE: The 50's were not all about Poodle skirts...Everyone did not wear big butterfly collars, disco skirts/dresses, Elvis glasses, etc.
There are too many other movies & TV spots those trends became way overused to a point.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] dja7316 13 years ago

"Similar to other fashion decades (The 50's were not all about Poodle skirts!), not everyone wore big collars, Platforms, disco skirts, Elvis glasses, etc. There are too many other movies/television spots those looks became too cliche'."

Very true, movies do tend to over-emphasize cliche fashions of whatever time period they take place in but I think with good reason. So many movies take place in a different time period then when then where actually made- therefor they will always use whatever fashions people would EXPECT to see from that period. A lot of people probably weren't even born during whichever time period they happen to be set in, so if a movie takes place in the late 60's you better bet on seeing a lot of hippies even if in reality at that time they were a just a very small percentage of the general population. I tend to think this movie isn't overly cliche 70's fashion because 1) It was made in the 70's so of course not everyone would be in leisure suits with cheesy gold chains and platform shoes and 2) as someone else stated the whole movie was based around models that wear the newest fashions and usually that takes a year or two before it takes hold with the general public and becomes trendy.

[–] nickrogers1969 8 years ago

So true, glam73! The fashions on Faye and the models were a few years ahead of the times. Some of the cops have that funky 70's style. I love all the clothes except the pink wholly cap on Lisa Taylor when she's at the police station! I love Darlane's wet look hair at the fashion shoot and Faye's purple suit when she comes to the first shoot with the flaming cars.

[–] g404c 13 years ago

Very well said, DavidParis, and I agree, the warehouse scene with "Let's All Chant" was ultra glamourous.

[–] vpilutis 11 years ago

As a pro photographer myself and a fan of that era, its always great seeing the 1970s again.

I still don't understand how we went wrong come the 1980s.

Must point out a darkrm error only two tanks developer then fixer?
first tank developer, 2nd water or stop bath, 3th fixer.

See some stars here
http://www.vbphoto.biz/

[–] PrometheusTree64 9 years ago

As a pro photographer myself and a fan of that era, its always great seeing the 1970s again.

I still don't understand how we went wrong come the 1980s.

Oh, I know, I know... And the '80s actually thought it was "fixing" the supposed-errors of the '70s, whether it was fashion, politics or music.

Can you imagine??

--

The most profound of sin is tragedy unremembered.

[–] popularru 9 years ago

I saw this film last night. I never heard about it before. And the first thing that I thought yesterday watching fashion sequence was 'Wow, this is like Lady Gaga with burning cars in Marry the night'. I think she referenced to this film in her videoclip.

[–] henrimaine 8 years ago

Agreed. The fashion shoots were the best part of this movie. Everything else that had to do with fashion industry was also interesting to watch. The weakest link by far in the movie was all that murder vision stuff.