A Monday Evening Respite: Breakfast at Tiffany's

First of all, let me begin by apologizing for my prolonged absence from writing. This semester has been hectic, to say the least. But, rest assured, I still insist on carrying my overly-full book bag and my polka dot lunch bag while wearing two inch heels. This is a sure sign that I still have things relatively under control.

Last Monday evening, Pablo and I took a much-needed respite from our overbooked schedules to see the 50th Anniversary screening of Breakfast at Tiffany's at the Coolidge Corner Theater in Brookline. This is an independent movie theater run by a non-profit organization. It was originally built as a church in 1906 and was "re-designed as an art deco movie palace in 1933." I cannot think of a more appropriate venue to see Audrey on the big screen.

If there was ever any doubt about Audrey's star-quality, seeing her on the big screen would surely erase these doubts. She was stunning in every scene. One of my favorite scenes is the last scene of the movie when she is sitting in the taxi by herself looking at the prize ring from the Cracker Jack box that she and George Peppard had engraved at Tiffany's. It is pouring rain, and Audrey runs out of the taxi to look for her "poor, no name cat." She finds the cat and turns to look at George Peppard... and they kiss in the pouring rain.

During the movie, I laughed, I cried, and I had a wonderful time. Even Pablo, who is not quite as big of an Audrey fan as I am, thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Can you believe that I almost decided to study instead of going?

Film Fashion: Bringing Up Baby, 1938

Last week we went to see the movie "Bringing Up Baby" on the big screen at our local historic theater. Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn in a screwball comedy on a rainy winter weeknight? Count me in!

I have always been a fan of vintage fashions, but the costumes in this movie were nothing short of fantastic. I almost think the script was written to provide Ms. Hepburn with an unbelievable number of costume changes. And Mr. Grant... well, we'll get to his big scene.


This publicity photo does not do justice to the dramatic dress (and veil!) that Ms. Hepburn, as Susan, wears in one of the movie's early scenes. Words cannot describe how perfectly the gown suits the actress, highlighting her tiny waist and her long legs. Imagine how extraordinarily attractive Cary Grant's David is in a white tie and tails, and then let me tell you that I barely noticed him next to this dress. Unfortunately there is a major wardrobe malfunction, and the dress... well, you'll just have to watch the movie for yourself.

The next time we see Susan she is wearing this --


-- this absolute confection of a gown. That's a floor-length white nightgown under a transparent chiffon robe, with a large polka-dot pattern and deep ruffles at the wrists and neck. It is difficult to imagine any contemporary actress who could pull off this look.

The leopard, of course, is Baby.

As for David, the plot requires him to clean up after helping a farmer with a load of chickens and Susan... well, it's difficult to explain. Let's just get right to Cary Grant in a marabou-trimmed robe:


Seriously, just see the movie. The plot wraps up with a very long evening involving David and Susan, Aunt Elizabeth, a jilted fiancee, an intercostal clavicle, a dog, two leopards, and a million dollars. And while Susan's costume is not so fabulous for this portion of the movie, I was reminded of the point once made about Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers: she did everything he did, backwards, while wearing heels. At one point Susan breaks off a heel, and spends the rest of the scene bobbing up and down comically from foot to foot.

Of course David and Susan fall in love, and (spoiler alert) the museum gets the million dollars. I just love a happy ending.