"The Cotton Club" (1984): most authentic 1920s-'30s costuming

[Marc Chevalier]

.

THE COTTON CLUB, made in 1984. Takes place in NYC from 1928 to about 1932.

Here's a good taste: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRkgrv3C2tY&feature=related


A largely forgotten Francis Ford Coppola flick that really, REALLY got its 1920s-'30s costuming right -- something that's unusual for an American film. Sadly, fedoras are its weakest spot ... though the ones worn by "Dixie Dwyer" (the protagonist) are outstanding.

As far as authentic costuming and hairstyles go, THE COTTON CLUB stands head and shoulders above THE STING, BILLY BATHGATE, CHANGELING, PUBLIC ENEMIES, and just about any other post-'40s American film made about the Golden Era (with the possible exception of CHINATOWN).


Watch the opening scene of THE COTTON CLUB here. (Dubbed in another language, alas):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hokQXaGpFhE&feature=related


And a fantastic tap dance sequence:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFlRtCh3QD0&feature=related

 

[Marc Chevalier]

More.


In English (hooray!): a short, terrific song and dance sequence:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiMyROxeIp0&feature=related

 

[Guttersnipe]

You know, you're right. Hollywood is pretty good at doing post-war period pieces pretty accurately, but film placed pre-40s are usually full of anachronisms. What do you think of Boardwalk Empire's costuming?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

What do you think of Boardwalk Empire's costuming?

This: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?870-Bow-Ties&p=1272560&viewfull=1#post1272560

And this: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?870-Bow-Ties&p=1272585&viewfull=1#post1272585

 

[Feraud]

Any idea who the costume designer was on the film and if they did any other pictures?

 

[rue]

Oops wrong information...

Here's the list I found here:


Mark Burchard Wardrobe
Al Craine Key wardrobe as Alfred Craine
Beverly Cycon Key wardrobe
Margarita Delgado Assistant costume designer
John Helgerson Assistant costume designer
Judianna Makovsky Assistant costume designer
Elizabeth Shelton Assistant costume designer
Richard Shissler Assistant costume designer
Rosamary Panzo Wardrobe supervisor
Barnaby Smith Set costumer

 

[scotrace]

The Cotton Club is, without doubt, a fantastic look at an abundance of still-plentiful vintage garments. Some of the performances are rather weak, but the dancing, sets, costumes, etc., all more than make up the gap.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Oops wrong information...

Here's the list I found here

The movie's head costume designer was Milena Canonero , an Italian. She deserves the lion's share of the credit. Her other films: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0134382/

 

[rue]

Odd.... I wonder why she wasn't on the list. Sorry for the misinformation.

Never mind.... I see it now :eusa_doh:

 

[I Adore Film Noir]

I loved this movie, I was tap dancing my way out of the theater. Gregory Hines was my crush at the time ♥

 

[hatophile]

I loved this movie, I was tap dancing my way out of the theater. Gregory Hines was my crush at the time ♥

Diane Lane for me, loved her "flapper" outfit!

 

[Shangas]

I really should make an effort to find and watch this movie. That tapdancing bit with "Crazy Rhythm" reminded me a lot of the Nicholas Brothers...

 

[Marc Chevalier]

That tapdancing bit with "Crazy Rhythm" reminded me a lot of the Nicholas Brothers...

Yep. That fictional brother-&-brother tapdance duo was loosely based on the Nicholas brothers. Also, the character of Dixie Dwyer was a fanciful blend of Bix Biederbeck and George Raft.

 

[MisterCairo]

I recall this film coming out. Richard Gere was the male star de jure and Gregory Hines was really up and coming in films and tv. I'd forgotten Gregory had sadly passed away, cancer, in 2003. Off topic, he's buried in Oakville, Ontario, as Toronto had become his adopted town as his fiancée lived there. She was a body builder and fitness trainer, and she too sadly died of cancer in 2009. They are together again:

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7749554

 

[HadleyH]

One of my favorite movies ever! -----"The Cotton Club deserves to be watched again and again, not just for its music and dancing, but for the great performances, scenery, cars, costumes...and tommy-guns." ----- What a great film!:eusa_clap

and.... James Remar is absolutely brilliant as Dutch Schultz!

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

The film also featured Bob Hoskins (Owney Madden), Fred Gwynne (Frenchy DeMange), and a still unknown Lawrence Fishbourne

[video=youtube;BiMyROxeIp0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiMyROxeIp0&feature=related[/video]

 

[Kirk H.]

"The film also featured Bob Hoskins (Owney Madden), Fred Gwynne (Frenchy DeMange), and a still unknown Lawrence Fishbourne"

Fishborne played "Bumpy Rhodes" based on Bumpy Johnson and he played the same character again in the 1997 film Hoodlum. The Cotton Club is a great movie. I just rewatched it again for the umpteenth time a few weeks ago.

Kirk H.

 

[scotrace]

and.... James Remar is absolutely brilliant as Dutch Schultz!

I thought he sucked scissors. Shallow, mugging, indicating. Weak link in an otherwise great cast.

 

[HadleyH]

I thought he sucked scissors. Shallow, mugging, indicating. Weak link in an otherwise great cast.

Then,we will have to agree to disagree in this one Scott![huh]~~~:cheers1:

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Saw this at about the time it came out,...I'll have to watch it again. Thanks for the reminder.