Recently, I've been infected with Frank Sinatra fever, which I have subsequently passed onto The Cat. One of the symptoms of this fever is that we have spent the last four weekends watching Frank Sinatra films. Not the whole of each weekend (I'm not sure there's that many) but one a week. I've also just finished reading a big fat tome on Frank. The combination of these things makes me appear pretty unhealthy. Oh, and the other symptom is, obviously, breaking out in songs from the films, which is highly infectious, so there's been a few cases of duets of New York, New York and My Kind of Town happening in our household.
The film-watching started with Anchors Aweigh, which we both thoroughly enjoyed. One of the extras on the DVD was a preview for On the Town, which advertised itself as 'Twice as gay as Anchors Aweigh!' Our excitement at this prospect was palpable. On the Town became the following weekend's essential viewing.
And, oh boy, was it twice as gay! Actually, that was an underestimation, it was more like ten times as gay! So. Much. Fun!
It was rather a ridiculous film, I'll be the first to admit, with light plot and a whole lot of silliness and singing. But sometimes that's just what you need. It was, of course, in fabulous Technicolor, and it looked pretty damn spiffy, particularly the ladies in their lovely, bright outfits. Here's just a few screen shots to whet your appetite, should you be looking out for a film for a night in, particularly as Autumn draws in.
I rather liked the yellow, black and white ensemble below too. Well, if it's good enough to impress Frank Sinatra (he's not singing to her, he's obviously singing to the dress) then it's good enough for me.
The costume designer was taking full advantage of the wonders of Technicolor, with bright yellow, pink and green (even if the sailors had to stick to white).
So, if you're not going 'on the town' tonight or tomorrow, then why not settle in with this fabulous film? You may well find yourself inspired to go out after watching it, embracing the following 24 hours in the manner of these sailors on shore leave. How can you not be roused by this song?
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| Another type of Frank Sinatra fever, back in the day (Image source) |
The film-watching started with Anchors Aweigh, which we both thoroughly enjoyed. One of the extras on the DVD was a preview for On the Town, which advertised itself as 'Twice as gay as Anchors Aweigh!' Our excitement at this prospect was palpable. On the Town became the following weekend's essential viewing.
And, oh boy, was it twice as gay! Actually, that was an underestimation, it was more like ten times as gay! So. Much. Fun!
It was rather a ridiculous film, I'll be the first to admit, with light plot and a whole lot of silliness and singing. But sometimes that's just what you need. It was, of course, in fabulous Technicolor, and it looked pretty damn spiffy, particularly the ladies in their lovely, bright outfits. Here's just a few screen shots to whet your appetite, should you be looking out for a film for a night in, particularly as Autumn draws in.
I'm actually in love with the green dress below. It was definitely my sartorial highlight of the film. I was in love with it even before she started dancing and I caught a glimpse of the matching lining to the skirt... Do you think I could duplicate it? Perhaps that should be an Autumn project for me, to crack out the sewing machine... between watching more Frank Sinatra films, of course.
I rather liked the yellow, black and white ensemble below too. Well, if it's good enough to impress Frank Sinatra (he's not singing to her, he's obviously singing to the dress) then it's good enough for me.
The costume designer was taking full advantage of the wonders of Technicolor, with bright yellow, pink and green (even if the sailors had to stick to white).
So, if you're not going 'on the town' tonight or tomorrow, then why not settle in with this fabulous film? You may well find yourself inspired to go out after watching it, embracing the following 24 hours in the manner of these sailors on shore leave. How can you not be roused by this song?
Definitely fun, Miss Marie. The girls' costumes are wonderful, all! So much petticoat adds fun and femininity. When I recently commented to a female acquaintance that it was so hot that I may need to duck off to remove my petticoat, she laughed almost awkwardly at the idea that I was wearing a petticoat.
ReplyDeleteMaybe she was laughing awkwardly because she was ashamed and embarrassed that she had forgotten to put on her petticoat that day... Though sadly unlikely in today's day and age!
DeleteHah hah! Cute :) And yes, not true as she was wearing jeans - and it was bare-legged weather at an Open Garden! Sigh...
DeleteI love On The Town SO much! What a great film!
ReplyDeleteCx http://mixedmediumstheatre.blogspot.co.uk/
It's so much fun, isn't it? I could definitely watch it again... though then the songs would get stuck in my head again for even more weeks on end!
DeleteIt's wonderful to know I'm not the only (modern) vintage loving lass who has fallen hard and fast for both Ol' Blue Eyes as well as for the fashions in this particular film. I try to catch it each time it comes on TCM - swooning up a storm whenever I see the stunning green dress that you highlighted here (I swear, if I was a seamstress, which I most certainly am not, I would try to replicate it).
ReplyDeleteGreat post - I needed something fun and lighthearted at this precise moment, and thinking about On the Town really delivered that. Thank you!
♥ Jessica
*PS* Many thanks as well for your wonderfully nice comment on my vintage coral suit post today. Indeed, there are some suits that, despite their nature of being fairly formal, can be a bit to brazen, so to speak, for certain corporate settings. I once saw a vintage tiger print suit (from the 60s) that would certainly fall into that camp.
Tiger print suit?! Good grief!!!
DeleteGlad to have brought some fun and lightheartedness to your day! I absolutely love Frank Sinatra - both when he was younger, as in On the Town, but also the smooth older Frank. His blue eyes were absolutely striking and that voice is so effortless and second to none... I also recently saw a Jack Daniels ad which featured him - which made me realise it must definitely not be just me that finds him appealing even today - or else why would they think an ad campaign with him a good idea??
Deleteah, such inspirational pictures here! i love all of the girl's dresses in the last few photos!
ReplyDeletelindsey louise
hellomrrabbitblog.com
Aren't they great? Imagine people getting that beautifully dressed up to go 'on the town' these days...
DeleteWell, hello there!
ReplyDeleteSorry, I am a bit late in answering your post - but I not until now discovered your blog. It is a fine place and full of interesting pictures, topics and things I enjoy :) for example those old b/w-movies with Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra! Glad to see they never will be out of fashion, as there always will be people with great taste and style.
thanks for making me smile, all the best from Hamburg, Germany :)
Annette
Hi Annette! Glad you've discovered my blog and have been enjoying looking through it. You're absolutely right too - these wonderful classic films will always be around and kept alive for those on the hunt for taste and style. Thanks for your comment and I hope you keep reading!
DeleteI love, love, love this film! I also love Frank, but i'm afraid Craid does not share that love. You are very lucky that you and The Cat can share the Frank times, i'm a little jealous. ;) xxx
ReplyDeleteI think The Cat secretly wants to be Frank Sinatra... He's more enthusiastic and persistent about watching his films than I am! But, yes, I am very lucky that he shares my love of Frank, and doesn't get too sick of me playing his music as much as I do...
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