FLYING DOWN TO RIO

Dolores, Ginger, Fred and the Girls Fly to Rio One More Time!

 

This 1933 RKO masterpiece of aviation, music, dance, style and general hi-jinx is perfect for chasing away the January blahs. Directed by Thornton Freeland with a score by Max Steiner, the movie is timeless.

The "Carioca" became legend; chorus girls on the wings of planes is now classic camp. And, the film featured in supporting roles, a young pair of dancers named Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Join C de la C for a look at this little pre-code gem which had not one, but two costume designers.  Dolores del Rio was costumed by Irene, while Walter Plunkett dressed Ginger Rogers and the chorus girls.

PART ONE: DOLORES GOES RIO - GOWNED BY IRENE

Dolores del Rio and chaperone, all dressed up for the flight to Rio de Janeiro.  Pilot, Gene Raymond is at right--already smitten with the stunning Miss del Rio.

When the plane is forced down, Dolores and Gene get to know each other better. Dolores is resplendent in a voile shirt with piping, vest and wide-legged pant ensemble by Irene.

Fred Astaire introduces himself to the ladies. Dolores and her chaperone are dressed in elegant, formal city clothes.

 

Dolores begins to relax, in a most contemporary looking two piece swimsuit. Gene Raymond looks resort-wear dapper.

 

 

One view of the famous "Carioca" dress, and matching wrap.

A French language poster for the movie.  In some countries it was called, "Carioca".

The original sheet music, showing Dolores del Rio and Fred Astaire dancing the "Carioca".
 

The four hit songs: "Carioca"; "Music Makes Me"; "Flying Down to Rio"; and "Orchids in the Moonlight" are listed at lower right.

PART TWO:  ENTER GINGER AND FRED

A charming shot, featuring fashions of the day, including Ginger Rogers' snappy Walter Plunkett designed suit. Note the striped socks on Fred Astaire!

Beach pajamas, a kooky printed jacket and a wide brimmed hat put Ginger in a Carnival mood. 

Casually attired but always smart looking Fred Astaire looks on. Note:  Fred's spiffy spectator shoes.

 

Another view of Ginger Rogers' outfit, with grand piano and tuba.

 

Ginger and Fred, as we have come to know them. She is gorgeous in satin--backwards and in high heels--of course.

PART THREE:  PRE-CODE CHORUS

The Spanish language Poster in a definite pre-code mode.

 

Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire and the ladies of the chorus, flashing their pretty gams (that's legs to all you kids).

Ginger Rogers in a more revealing gown than usual: strategically-placed sequins and bugle beads, a la pre-code Hollywood.

 

One of the Posters, depicting paper cut-outs of the dancing girls on the plane's wings.

On the wing of a plane.  Don't know how this one got past the censors, but, it did.  Cute!

 

Fred Astaire and the two chorus girls, in close-up detail from one of the Posters.

Little wings adorn the shoes and the hat--bidding you farewell from this trip to Rio.

GOLDEN GLOBES 2012

Last night's Golden Globes were not a fashion blockbuster,  but, there were a few bright lights, and, as always, some power outages.


The Creme de la Creme Grand Prize winner is:

Paula Patton in a beautifully draped, on-trend Monique Lhuillier gown. Creme de la Creme yellow strikes again!

 

The "Glee" Girls: 

These ladies never disappoint. I've been watching their style at award shows for a while now--AND--they deserve an honorary award!

Lea Michelle in Marchesa.  Another win for this new style icon

Diana Agron in flamenco red ruffles with cutout bodice. Hot, hot hot!

Naya Rivera in a silver silky, high-necked column. Courageous, edgy and fabulous!

Gorgeous in Gucci:

Evan Rachel Wood in an amazing Hunter Green Gucci--deceptively simple but exquisitely detailed, as the eye moves downward. Stunning!

Pretty, pretty Jessica Alba in a mauve appliqued strapless Gucci with perfect accessories and a winning smile.

Salma Hayek in a Gucci with Art Deco bodice.  Breathtakingly beautiful hair, make-up and jewels finish the daring look.

Missing a beat:

 Sarah Michelle Gellar in a Monique Lhuillier, which needed to be in a solid colour or simplified.  Gellar glows regardless.

Charlize Theron in Dior Couture. What is wrong with this picture?  She would look great in a paper bag but...

OK, OK, I know it looks fine--but Michelle Williams is so pretty and young.  She could wear something funkier than this "mom" dress by Jason Wu.

Kate Winslet in a Jenny Packham that just doesn't work for her.

Rooney Mara's Nina Ricci is another attempt at the "Dragon Tattoo"  Punk/Goth look gone wrong.

Madonna in Neem Acra's chequerboard of black satin patchwork squares topped with silver.  Busy, busy!

Beautiful, bright with talent to burn:  our first lady of the screen.  A deserving winner last night--Meryl Streep.  Sigh.

Stylish Staying Power:

Mila Kunis in Dior.  The Black Swan needs a smile.  Otherwise, she is perfection.

Diane Lane in a knockout Neem Acra. Show 'em how it's done, Diane!

Natalie Portman in a hot pink Lanvin. Shades of  "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes".  Gorgeous.

Most Improved:  Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackermann.  The hair is a bit freaky, but, it's Tilda after all.

Always Spectacular--The Hall of Fame:

Nicole Kidman in Versace.  She always looks wonderful. 'Nuff said.

Angelina Jolie, in Atelier Versace.  Perfect.

Special, added bonus pic:  Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt: the cutest couple on the block!

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A NEW YEAR'S FETE OF RAVISHING REDS

Today, February 19,  2015 the lunar New Year begins.  The YEAR OF THE SHEEP will be resplendent with every dazzling shade of red imaginable. 

Join film, fashion & frivolity in a preview of the festivities, with some great hues of rojas, rot, and rouges from the worlds of Film, Dance and  Vintage Cosmetic Print Ads.

Audrey Hepburn in scarlet Givenchy--at the Louvre, no less.  "Funny Face", 1957.

Dorian Leigh in a 1952 Revlon Ad for "Cherries in the Snow", the Red of the moment.

Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara in the "naughty lady" dress from "Gone With the Wind". 1939.

Model Suzy Parker (younger sister of Dorian Leigh) in a 1950s or early 1960s Revlon "Red" Ad.

An artist's rendering of Joan Crawford in the Adrian designed bugle beaded red gown from the 1937 film, "The Bride Wore Red".

Sonia Rodriquez shows why she is a Principal Dancer in this "Spanish Fan" poster for "Don Quixote". 

One of the most popular fragrances of the 1990s:  RED by Giorgio, Beverly Hills.

From the largest and most successful production the National Ballet of Canada has ever presented:  The Red Queen, from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", 2011.

DVD cover for the 1984 movie "The Woman in Red" by Gene Wilder.  Kelly LeBrock starred as the beauty in floaty crimson.  

Dorian Leigh in a 1950s Vintage Revlon Print Ad for the hugely popular (still today) "Fire and Ice" shade of  Lipstick and Nail Lacquer.

HAPPY CHINESE (LUNAR) NEW YEAR!

MAY THE YEAR OF THE SHEEP BE A GREAT ONE!