And the award for wtf-ery in award show production goes too.....
February 29, 2016 10:16 PM Subscribe
The Oscar for Costume Design 1987! Starring...... Lauren Bacall, a fashion montage, wild inexplicable dancing, and Jenny Beavan winning an Oscar (and not giving a rip * about award show fashion conventions.)
*this is the article that lead me to look up Beavan's speech for her prior Best Costume Design win for A Room with A View. I prefer these theories over what is likely the reality.
*this is the article that lead me to look up Beavan's speech for her prior Best Costume Design win for A Room with A View. I prefer these theories over what is likely the reality.
Shiny and chrome.
posted by Artw at 10:27 PM on February 29, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by Artw at 10:27 PM on February 29, 2016 [4 favorites]
I immediately thought, "This has to be Allan Carr's doing," but he was 1989.
posted by queensissy at 10:37 PM on February 29, 2016
posted by queensissy at 10:37 PM on February 29, 2016
The tux with the gold scarf is really quite.
Those poor dancers. So much enthusiasm! So many jazz hands! So crappy dancing suit.
posted by carsonb at 11:15 PM on February 29, 2016 [1 favorite]
Those poor dancers. So much enthusiasm! So many jazz hands! So crappy dancing suit.
posted by carsonb at 11:15 PM on February 29, 2016 [1 favorite]
(and not giving a rip * about award show fashion conventions.)
That leather jacket is fucking boss and I want one.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 1:46 AM on March 1, 2016 [7 favorites]
That leather jacket is fucking boss and I want one.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 1:46 AM on March 1, 2016 [7 favorites]
Man, I miss the 80s.
Being British we only got the full-on horror of the full ceremony relatively recently... back then it would just be a clip on the news if a Brit won something 'The British are coming' or read about it in a newspaper (or years later in a film encyclopedia in the library / bought from a remaindered bookshop - 80s imdb)
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:57 AM on March 1, 2016
Being British we only got the full-on horror of the full ceremony relatively recently... back then it would just be a clip on the news if a Brit won something 'The British are coming' or read about it in a newspaper (or years later in a film encyclopedia in the library / bought from a remaindered bookshop - 80s imdb)
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:57 AM on March 1, 2016
I wonder how many of these people mocking Beavan recognize that fashion designers frequently dress in plain clothes during runway shows to keep the attention on their work. Maybe Beavan wants to be known for her work and not for her flamboyant formal wear...?
posted by pxe2000 at 3:30 AM on March 1, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by pxe2000 at 3:30 AM on March 1, 2016 [7 favorites]
Wait. Wait. The Oscars YouTube channel has even more Costume Design videos.
Star Wars winning in 1978, with Susan George wearing the Princess Leia costume.
The Great Gatsby winning in 1975, with interpretative dance of Chinatown.
Chariots of Fire winning in 1983, with Morgan Fairchild and Robert Hays presenting even more interpretative dance.
I'm so sad that we don't get bits like this any more. I want The Revenant interpretative dance! I want to see how Fury Road could be translated to women's fashions!
posted by Katemonkey at 4:47 AM on March 1, 2016 [8 favorites]
Star Wars winning in 1978, with Susan George wearing the Princess Leia costume.
The Great Gatsby winning in 1975, with interpretative dance of Chinatown.
Chariots of Fire winning in 1983, with Morgan Fairchild and Robert Hays presenting even more interpretative dance.
I'm so sad that we don't get bits like this any more. I want The Revenant interpretative dance! I want to see how Fury Road could be translated to women's fashions!
posted by Katemonkey at 4:47 AM on March 1, 2016 [8 favorites]
Nothing says The Mission and 1750s South American jungles like, "Our fashions are in jewel tones for late evening."
posted by Short Attention Sp at 5:24 AM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Short Attention Sp at 5:24 AM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
She's awesome -- and she's also basically in the same outfit 29 years later, only now with more badass and sequins.
posted by jb at 5:28 AM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by jb at 5:28 AM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
vespabelle, you had me at Lauren Bacall.
posted by tobascodagama at 5:35 AM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by tobascodagama at 5:35 AM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'm so sad that we don't get bits like this any more. I want The Revenant interpretative dance! I want to see how Fury Road could be translated to women's fashions!
I want to see the Cirque du Soleil: Furiosa show.
posted by ZeusHumms at 6:52 AM on March 1, 2016 [5 favorites]
I want to see the Cirque du Soleil: Furiosa show.
posted by ZeusHumms at 6:52 AM on March 1, 2016 [5 favorites]
Good lord.
Not only was Theoni V. Aldredge FORCED (allowed?) to make over a dozen costumes based on some bizarre future where THE MISSION and OTELLO inspired evening wear,
but...
A bunch of music was written just for this number?
Musicians and singers and cameras were rehearsed!
A choreographer made up many (godawful dances) and spent literally minutes rehearsing over a dozen Adrian Zmeds!
A mirrored turntable staircase was built, a woman learned how to walk down said staircase while it was turning, and insurance was procured in case the woman tumbled to her wedding-dress-clad death in front of hundreds (or millions?) of viewers worldwide.
And a dozen models were each taught their own goofy TA-DA for the end of the fashion show.
(excepting the woman who has no patience for TA-DA's and just strides nonchalantly out of frame.)
I wonder if 1987 was a year when the costumer's guild had enough clout to get this number approved...or so little power that they were unable to stop it.
posted by mer2113 at 8:02 AM on March 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
Not only was Theoni V. Aldredge FORCED (allowed?) to make over a dozen costumes based on some bizarre future where THE MISSION and OTELLO inspired evening wear,
but...
A bunch of music was written just for this number?
Musicians and singers and cameras were rehearsed!
A choreographer made up many (godawful dances) and spent literally minutes rehearsing over a dozen Adrian Zmeds!
A mirrored turntable staircase was built, a woman learned how to walk down said staircase while it was turning, and insurance was procured in case the woman tumbled to her wedding-dress-clad death in front of hundreds (or millions?) of viewers worldwide.
And a dozen models were each taught their own goofy TA-DA for the end of the fashion show.
(excepting the woman who has no patience for TA-DA's and just strides nonchalantly out of frame.)
I wonder if 1987 was a year when the costumer's guild had enough clout to get this number approved...or so little power that they were unable to stop it.
posted by mer2113 at 8:02 AM on March 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
I think Luaren Bacall wants to ..fight me?
Anyway, I remember all these jokes about how campy and nonsensical the Oscars where in this period and just, it's the Oscars, they only reason it exists is so Louis B Mayer would manipulate people in more exact ways! If you can't be campy and ridiculous there where can you?
posted by The Whelk at 9:31 AM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Anyway, I remember all these jokes about how campy and nonsensical the Oscars where in this period and just, it's the Oscars, they only reason it exists is so Louis B Mayer would manipulate people in more exact ways! If you can't be campy and ridiculous there where can you?
posted by The Whelk at 9:31 AM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
The WTF-ery is strong with this one. Seriously, I'm not even sure what in the sam hell I just watched. But it made my day.
posted by lock sock and barrel at 9:58 AM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by lock sock and barrel at 9:58 AM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
This is the most 80s thing that ever 80sed.
Seriously, it has a saxophone solo just to be sure.
posted by St. Hubbins at 10:05 AM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Seriously, it has a saxophone solo just to be sure.
posted by St. Hubbins at 10:05 AM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Also, it was really nice of them to let Judith Light lead the pirate dancing.
posted by St. Hubbins at 10:09 AM on March 1, 2016
posted by St. Hubbins at 10:09 AM on March 1, 2016
I thought maybe that jokey top-ten list would end with the real reason why people sat on their hands for Beavan.
What's the story?
posted by JoeZydeco at 10:22 AM on March 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
What's the story?
posted by JoeZydeco at 10:22 AM on March 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
Well, I think the gag is that they gave you the real reason before presenting the list.
Are these people really offended by the idea that a middle-aged British woman has chosen not to massacre her body in the name of chasing an impossible Hollywood ideal? Are they really outraged by the notion of someone dressing for comfort?
The article dismisses these because it's obviously absurd to withhold applause over something so petty. But the joke is that, of course, that's exactly why people withheld applause.
posted by tobascodagama at 10:45 AM on March 1, 2016
Are these people really offended by the idea that a middle-aged British woman has chosen not to massacre her body in the name of chasing an impossible Hollywood ideal? Are they really outraged by the notion of someone dressing for comfort?
The article dismisses these because it's obviously absurd to withhold applause over something so petty. But the joke is that, of course, that's exactly why people withheld applause.
posted by tobascodagama at 10:45 AM on March 1, 2016
That body language says more than disapproval over Beavan's attire. And wouldn't you be applauding when a winner was announced no matter who it was?
posted by JoeZydeco at 11:09 AM on March 1, 2016
posted by JoeZydeco at 11:09 AM on March 1, 2016
That body language says "how can this be, an unattractive woman is walking around in OUR space."
posted by praemunire at 1:05 PM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by praemunire at 1:05 PM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Yeah, never underestimate the petty superficiality of a Hollywood award show audience.
posted by tobascodagama at 1:11 PM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by tobascodagama at 1:11 PM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
I didn't really want to see Brutal Bear Attack: The Movie as it was, but after seeing the director be an asshole to her there I definitely won't.
posted by flaterik at 1:22 PM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by flaterik at 1:22 PM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
She's definitely living on Crone Island, giving no fucks. And it's funny how a simple refusal to play the game of Every Woman Must Always Be In a Beauty Pageant points out how dumb it really is. She's a costume designer. She doesn't go in front of the cameras. She doesn't have to dress up like a fairy princess if she doesn't want to in order to accept her well-deserved award.
And seriously fuck Stephen Fry for calling her a bag lady.
posted by emjaybee at 2:44 PM on March 1, 2016 [9 favorites]
And seriously fuck Stephen Fry for calling her a bag lady.
posted by emjaybee at 2:44 PM on March 1, 2016 [9 favorites]
That leather jacket is badass.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 2:55 PM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by a lungful of dragon at 2:55 PM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Maybe Beavan wants to be known for her work and not for her flamboyant formal wear...?
OK sure, she didn't stuff herself into a gown and get made up the same way everyone else there did, but I gotta say I think a leather jacket with a bedazzled skull still sits quite comfortably under the header of "flamboyant."
posted by psoas at 3:54 PM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
OK sure, she didn't stuff herself into a gown and get made up the same way everyone else there did, but I gotta say I think a leather jacket with a bedazzled skull still sits quite comfortably under the header of "flamboyant."
posted by psoas at 3:54 PM on March 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Good lord.
Not only was Theoni V. Aldredge FORCED (allowed?) to make over a dozen costumes based on some bizarre future where THE MISSION and OTELLO inspired evening wear,
but...
I kept imagining the (two? three?) squads of stage hands that rolled each set piece back and forth, stripped the old posters off each one and hurriedly set up the next backdrop before pushing it right back out down stage, sweating and panting and draped dramatically over their set pieces afterwards, practically dead. They worked almost as hard as the Jazz Hands Boys!
posted by carsonb at 4:04 PM on March 1, 2016
Not only was Theoni V. Aldredge FORCED (allowed?) to make over a dozen costumes based on some bizarre future where THE MISSION and OTELLO inspired evening wear,
but...
I kept imagining the (two? three?) squads of stage hands that rolled each set piece back and forth, stripped the old posters off each one and hurriedly set up the next backdrop before pushing it right back out down stage, sweating and panting and draped dramatically over their set pieces afterwards, practically dead. They worked almost as hard as the Jazz Hands Boys!
posted by carsonb at 4:04 PM on March 1, 2016
See! Camp ridiculousness creates Jobs! No tasteful ceremony would involve so many billable hours!
posted by The Whelk at 4:29 PM on March 1, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 4:29 PM on March 1, 2016 [5 favorites]
those were the days. All clothing was ultimately inspired by Flashdance, no matter what they said was their inspiration, and the Oscars show really did go on for approximately eleventy-seven hours.
posted by janey47 at 5:51 PM on March 1, 2016
posted by janey47 at 5:51 PM on March 1, 2016
the Jazz Hands Boys
Now there's a gang of heinous outlaws you don't hear much about round these parts.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 11:35 AM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
Now there's a gang of heinous outlaws you don't hear much about round these parts.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 11:35 AM on March 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
So it turns out they did applaud her, just not until she had passed them all, as the fuller video attests. Which is nice, because I was really unreasonably distressed about the whole thing.
posted by misfish at 10:10 PM on March 2, 2016
posted by misfish at 10:10 PM on March 2, 2016
I've gone back and rewatched the 1987 video a couple of times since I first read this post. Namely -- it's been a tough week and something about insanely hyperactive dancers in shiny silver suits dancing with models in excitingly odd 80s-ifed versions of other period costumes narrated by a completely straight faced Lauren Bacall makes everything better. It's zen on a level that I would have never expected.
posted by JustKeepSwimming at 6:10 AM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by JustKeepSwimming at 6:10 AM on March 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
There's a wonderful interview with her in the Guardian.
posted by ChuraChura at 1:25 PM on March 24, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by ChuraChura at 1:25 PM on March 24, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by vespabelle at 10:24 PM on February 29, 2016 [1 favorite]