The Art of Costumes: An Interview with Nicholas Inglis

 

The Art of Costumes: An Interview with Nicholas Inglis

 (Costume preservationist/historian)

 

 

    Nicholas Inglis is a long time classic movie fan who then took the passion for them to a whole new level. Starting in 1995, Nicholas started to recognize the importance of saving and preserving for the world the costumes that were made for classic movie masterpieces. Not just buying to have but truly understanding the significance each holds in our history of cinema and to keep them intact for new generations to see and enjoy. This constantly growing museum from hats, gowns and much more is a passion that Nicholas stays true with and now is a preservationist/record keeper for our adored movie stars, movie studios, motion pictures, and especially the designers of the era who will never be matched again. Designers such as Adrian, Edith Head, Walter Plunkett, Helen Rose, Travilla and countless others made these costumes come to life. The amount of man power that went into each costume with all details from top to bottom done for each star. Nicholas, I like to think is an archivist for our glamorous Hollywood past and is keeping it alive with ensuring these costumes thrive and are seen by many to have new generations understand and as well become fans of everything classic movies!

Interview by: Mason Williams

2011 Year In Review

2011 Year In Review!

Love Those Classic Movies!!! had an outstanding 2011 with highlighting great leading actresses, actors, costume designers, photographers, and topical themes. We also introcued this year new articles such as: "Classic Radioland," "Spotlight On" & our interview series.

We had fun bringing topics such as looking as Summer Films and Holiday Classics. This year also brought us our: "2nd Annual Classic Mr. & Mrs. Clause" who was the fantastic Robert Mitchum & Ginger Rogers.

Our interviews were started with a great kick-off featuring two hot actors/recording artists: Howard Tonkin & DiSanto Diaz. Both gentleman spoke about their acting background and their love for classic cinema - thank you gentlemen for your time and the great itnerviews!!

 We had a a terriffic special correspondent (Christina Stewart) who reported on the: "2011 TCM Classic Film Festvial." Christina gave us special inside information on the red carpet events, movie screenings, gala events and many other events. This we are looking to keep and expand with other special reporters clocking in with special articles from all over the world!!

Finally, here are our FANTASTIC classic stars we highlighted in 2011!!!!

•  Adrian
• Tyrone Power
• Sophia Loren
• Marilyn Monroe
• Claire Trevor
• George Hurrell
• Gloria Grahame
• Orry-Kelly
• Merle Oberon
• Bette Davis
• Ramon Novarro
• Irene Sharaff
• Rosalind Russell
• Ann Sothern
• Ava Gardner
• Rita Hayworth
• Dorothy Dandridge

In Pictures: Irene Sharaff

In Pictures: Irene Sharaff

Here is our seventeenth installment of this very successful feature to "Love Those Classic Movies!!!" This article is simply an enjoyment via beautiful pictures of our favorite golden age classic stars. Not a lot of writing at all or tid bits or extras just simply as it is stated, "in pictures!" Hope you all enjoy one of the original great costume designers of the silver screen Irene Sharaff and her brilliance in pictures, cheers!!!!

Richard Burton & Liz Taylor in "The Sandpiper"

Elizabeth Taylor in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?"

Elizabeth Taylor in "The Sandpiper"

Fred Astaire & Lucille Bremer in "Yolanda and the Thief"

Frank Sinatra, Shirley MackLaine & Maurice Chevalier in "Can-Can"

Faye Dunaway in "Mommy Dearest"

Call Me Madam (1953) "The Hostess With The Mostes"

Call Me Madam (1953) 20th Century FOX
Directed By: Walter Lang
Starring: Ethel Merman, Donald O'Connor, Vera-Ellen, George Sanders & Lilia Skala.
Costumes By: Irene Sharaff

~ Film was nominated for 2 Academy Awards, including "Best Costumes" for Irene Sharaff and winning one for "Best Musical Scoring" for Alfred Newman. Ethel Merman won a Golden Globe for "Best Actress Musical/Comedy."

Background:

"Call Me Madam" the motion picture was based on a Broadway Musical with all songs written by Irving Berlin.  A few of the Irving Berlin songs used in the Broadway porduction were replaced by other Berlin songs for the film. Ethel Merman starred as Sally Adams in both the Broadway production and the motion picture.

Plot:

A brash and out-spoken Sally Adams (Ethel Merman) resides in a swanky Washinton D.C. home where she is a the best of hostess's. Sally is appointed very quickly to a vacant position for the US Government as US Ambassador to Lichtenburg. A small country that Sally knows nothing about but is swept into the role. The help of her very knowledgeable press attache Kenneth Gibson (Donald O'Connor) makes it a more successful appointment. While being in the foreign country of Lichtenburg both Sally and Kennth find love. Kenneth becomes smitten and taken back by the princess of Litchenburg, Princess Maria (Vera-Ellen).

The leaders of the fair country have a reason to treat the newly appointed Ambassador wonderfully since the agenda is to obtain a loan from the USA. During this time Sally meets while practicing her curtsies to a big ball to meet the Grand Duke she meets General Cosmo Constantine (George Sanders) who she falls for. We find that Sally with her brashness turns out to be a fantastic Ambassador to the country of Litchenburg and finds love with some great musical numbers along the way.

Note:

Lovely musical performances such as between Vera-Ellen and Donald O'Connor dancing in the palace's gardens to a Irving Berlin tune "It's A Lovely Day Today." "The Hostess With The Mostes" "The International Rag" "The Best Thing For You Would Be Me" & the finale "You're Just In Love/Something To Dance About." 



This is a grand 50's musical that is worthy of your time though often get's lost to others from that era.

Costume Screent Test with Ethel Merman

Extra Extra Classic Group Topics Announced!! (May - June 2011)

Extra Extra Classic Group Topics Announced!! (May - June 2011)

Here is the official list of "Spotlight Topics" for our group:

                                    

 Bette Davis:

Merle Oberon: 

Ramon Navarro: 

2011 TCM Film Festival:

 Irene Sharaff: