Costumes in Old Movies

Today I am grateful for the costumes in old movies.  Last night I watched “With a Song in My Heart”, with Susan Hayward, Rory Calhoun, David Wayne and Thelma Ritter, on the Turner Classic Movie channel.

It’s the story about singer Jane Froman, a very popular singer, who was injured in a plane crash in Lisbon on the way to entertain troops during WWII.  The story is great, if a little sappy.  Sometimes I just need sappy.  The music is wonderful, with songs that have honest to God melodies and lyrics that are beautiful and understandable. 

But it was the costumes that blew me away.  They were spectacular.  Chiffon must have been very easy to come by during that time period.  It was everywhere, with pastel rainbow colors streaming in panels on the skirt of one magnificent gown and hand sewn beading splashing across the bodice of another.

These costumes were works of art, sculptures in a fabric medium.  They were like characters in their own right, moving across old sound stages with their actresses like breathing entities, as though on vapor. 

I am so grateful for the costumes in old movies, when something was still left to the imagination. . .when the body parts that should be covered were really covered, but in such a way that you wish they weren’t.  Therein is the mystery and intrigue of romance. . .the old fashioned way. . .when relationships developed into love, leading to the sweet mystery of sex. . .while we the audience, in rapt anticipation, know those chiffon costumes would look awesome in a heap on the bedroom floor.  Sigh. . .