a suggestion to the Foundation

[Richard]

A dress code for those who attend functions sponsored by the Film Noir Foundation.
From now on, gentlemen shall wear suits, ties and fedoras of the period.
Ladies shall wear evening gowns or dresses and accoutrements of the period.
That includes retro jewelry (no digital watches).
Give attention to argyle socks, fishnet stockings haberdashery, and shoe wear.
Period hair styles, blade-shaving, and period make-up for the ladies should also be observed.

You may base your outfit on a specific character from a specific scene in a specific noir, if you wish.
You may emulate Mary Astor's shabby house-dress from An Act of Violence or William Bendix's sweaty undershirt during morning and afternoon screenings, but never for evening wear.

Just a suggestion, to make life and movie-going more interesting, yes?


Richard

[Harry Fabian]

I'd love to see someone wear that wild orange-striped dress that Agnes Moorhead wore in Dark Passage! I think it would be very interesting to see people dressed in the period-but optional seems a better idea than mandatory. Making it a requirement would almost certainly hurt attendance from casual and newer fans to noir.

[Steve-O]

I'm looking forward to Kim Morgan in Ida Lupino's halter top from Road House.

[Christina Delassalle]

Oh I bet you just are Steve-O.

If I can ever make it to a function I'll probably come dressed as Esther Howard in Born To Kill or Murder My Sweet..or perhaps Thelma Ritter in Pickup on South Street. At my age that'd be perfect or as Judith Anderson, Ann Treadwell in Laura.

[Steve-O]

Only a true noir fan would want to dress up like Esther Howard!

[Christina Delassalle]

Only a true noir fan would want to dress up like Esther Howard!

I am indeed that!
We all can't be a glamour puss!
I may not have a face like a bucket of mud and if you offer me a drink I probably won't knock you down to get the bottle! but I do alright for a charming slighty over the hill dame.

[Steve-O]

You're my favorite new BAN member.

[Christina Delassalle]

Ah thanks Steve-O, and it's also just nice to be thought of as "new" someplace.....anyplace!

[Richard]

Be sure your slippers, bathrobe, lingerie, and hair curlers are correct to the period (no, not you, Steve-O !).

I want to see 900 people wearing period noir clothes fill a movie theater and a lobby and standing on line.
That would be something to see, wouldn't it.

Richard

[Richard]

No zoot-suits.


Richard

[Fast Eddie]

Be sure your slippers, bathrobe, lingerie, and hair curlers are correct to the period (no, not you, Steve-O !).

I want to see 900 people wearing period noir clothes fill a movie theater and a lobby and standing on line.
That would be something to see, wouldn't it.

Richard

Richard,

We get just the right amount of this at NOIR CITY in San Francisco, and what's wonderful about it is that people are inspired to do it without any sense of obligation. I would never, under any circumstances, mandate a dress code (unless it as for school children under the age of 16). It's amusing how often I've heard people comment on my "vintage" attire at these festivals. I have never wore an article of vintage clothing in my life. Just a suit and tie. Oddly, in an "arts" environment, that is automatically considered "retro" or "vintage." Sadly, I don't like the severely sleek direction contemporary men's clothing has taken, as you have to be about 150 lbs for any of it to fit right.

[Richard]

Fast Eddie,

I wasn't suggestiing that a dress code be mandated, although when I review my wording I see how you got that impression. Mandates don't work. Still, you might encourage period dress a little bit.


I would never, under any circumstances, mandate a dress code (unless it as for school children under the age of 16).

Like in English schools. Because a dress code equalizes everybody, eliminates peer pressure that so distracts young pupils, and makes it possible for them to concentrate more on learning. They learn better. An unpleasant truth, but a truth nonetheless. Or do you have other reasons?


Sadly, I don't like the severely sleek direction contemporary men's clothing has taken, as you have to be about 150 lbs for any of it to fit right.

Tell me about it. The solution: tailors.


Richard