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Why does Indiana Jones wear a leather jacket in the dessert?

tropicalbob

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miami, fl
Forgetting the whip (for now), the problem with the IJ look is just that -- you look like you're in a costume. You can't get around it. The jacket and fedora are the perfect combination for all kinds of weather, which is the whole idea because IJ is ready for anything. It'd be great for traveling, but everyone will say "Hey, it's IJ!" Ask Worf. Makes you want to curse the damn movies.
 

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
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7,562
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Australia
I think as soon as you put on a fedora, regardless of your other clothes you may be seen as wearing a costume. I wear a hat in summer and sometimes a leather jacket with it and I say f-em.
 

Yesteryear

One of the Regulars
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240
Forgetting the whip (for now), the problem with the IJ look is just that -- you look like you're in a costume. You can't get around it. The jacket and fedora are the perfect combination for all kinds of weather, which is the whole idea because IJ is ready for anything. It'd be great for traveling, but everyone will say "Hey, it's IJ!" Ask Worf. Makes you want to curse the damn movies.
Very true. I like the A-2 jacket because of my passion for aviation, and I like my fedora because of its full brim to keep the sun off. Unfortunately when the two are paired together people don't think 'Pilot' they think 'Indian Jones wannabe'. :(

Still, that doesn't hold me back from wearing what I want. The fedora and leather jacket are a perfect combination!
 
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Bunyip

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Australia
I kid you not I turned on cable TV last night, and they were playing raiders,doom, last crusade. Raiders was one of my all time fave movies. I've never been inclined to don a fedora...Indy is the coolest cat on the block by a country mile.
 

Seb Lucas

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Australia
While I don't like the other Indy films, Raiders is a masterpiece of 20th century cinema, a veritable poem to editing and live action stunt choreography. While it is all fairly ridiculous, it's played straight, without all the corny touches, overstated CGI and bad one liners that to me marr other action films.
 

thor

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Tom Selleck was originally cast to play "Indiana Jones" (and Sean Young as "Marion") but due to contractual obligations with CBS and the "Magnum P.I." filming schedule, he had to drop out of the project. I wonder if the character (and the movie franchise) would have been as iconic with someone besides Harrison Ford in the title role?
 
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I am guilty of loving the first two films equally, while admitting that the first film is better than the second (though the wagon chase has yet to be bested) - but the Crusade is always going to be my favorite. The tank battle, people! The zeppelin escape, the burning, wingless Messerschmitt passing Indy's car in the tunnel... They've built an actual Mark VIII (I think it is (Liberty?)) for that scene! Oh my...
 

nick123

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6,371
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California
I am guilty of loving the first two films equally, while admitting that the first film is better than the second (though the wagon chase has yet to be bested) - but the Crusade is always going to be my favorite. The tank battle, people! The zeppelin escape, the burning, wingless Messerschmitt passing Indy's car in the tunnel... They've built an actual Mark VIII (I think it is (Liberty?)) for that scene! Oh my...

+1. I was waiting for someone to say this.
 

Dr.Seuss

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Denver
I often struggle with a similar question. Why am I wearing this Aero jacket during the Denver Summer heat? Perhaps there is a bit of "Indy" in all of us.
 

Big J

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Japan
Tom Selleck was originally cast to play "Indiana Jones" (and Sean Young as "Marion") but due to contractual obligations with CBS and the "Magnum P.I." filming schedule, he had to drop out of the project. I wonder if the character (and the movie franchise) would have been as iconic with someone besides Harrison Ford in the title role?

Sean Young would have been an improvement. But after Bladerunner, maybe Spielberg didn't want to cast her opposite Ford again?
 

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
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7,562
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Australia
Actually from what I read Ford was meant to wear a fedora in Bladerunner and said no because he'd just worn one in Raiders. He didn't want to be that hat guy.
 
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Orange County, CA
Nick Nolte rocked the "Indy" look in Cannery Row.

245402_full.jpg
 
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Meerkat

Familiar Face
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60
Location
Ireland
Tom Selleck was originally cast to play "Indiana Jones" (and Sean Young as "Marion") but due to contractual obligations with CBS and the "Magnum P.I." filming schedule, he had to drop out of the project. I wonder if the character (and the movie franchise) would have been as iconic with someone besides Harrison Ford in the title role?
saw Tom Selleck as a bald moustacheless Ike Eisenhower in a recent made for tv biopic...nooo even he couldn't match a geriatric Harrison Ford with creaking leathers.....and I am not too happy with 'Marion' ...the evil Dr Rene Belloq pronounces it 'Marianne' ...much more reassuring.....
 

Edward

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25,078
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London, UK
Yes.

Didn't you learn anything from Indy's father in The Last Crusade? It wasn't 'just a war', but a 'battle against the very forces of evil'.
While we're on the subject, this is why I won't let my kids spend my money on Fanta, and I don't drive a German or Japanese car.

Puts Coke right out too. Coca Cola, proud sponsors of the Hitler Youth handbook, circa 1934. Time put him on the cover, too.... Man of the Year, wasn't it? Interesting deciding where to draw the line. I suspect manh of us have, albeit indirdctly, benefitted from Mengeles' vile experiments.

Tom Selleck was originally cast to play "Indiana Jones" (and Sean Young as "Marion") but due to contractual obligations with CBS and the "Magnum P.I." filming schedule, he had to drop out of the project. I wonder if the character (and the movie franchise) would have been as iconic with someone besides Harrison Ford in the title role?

I can't imagine Selleck being half the icon. (Even if Harrison Ford loses cool points for agreeing to mord Star Wars rubbish). I'd love to have seen Christopher Walken's Han Solo, though.

Actually from what I read Ford was meant to wear a fedora in Bladerunner and said no because he'd just worn one in Raiders. He didn't want to be that hat guy.

That's true. A pity, but understandable.
 

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