Asides - It's Always Fashion Week in Hollywood

Fashion Week at Bryant Park in New York took place earlier this month. In belated recognition of the event, here are some fashions from our favorite period, with some of our favorite stars. Enjoy and keep an eye out at your local Target for some knock-offs.

Click on the images for a larger view.

The first four pages are from the June, 1932 edition of Photoplay. As you may or may not know, Photoplay billed itself as "The News and Fashion Magazine of the Screen."

Kay always looks good, stripes, solids, or anything in between.

This and the next page are a spread, the headline
running over both pages.

Mary, Carole, and Joan

Evalyn Knapp, Adrienne Dore and Madge.

Maureen models neckwear for the gal on the go.


Everybody's favorite "Shimmy" dancer Gilda Gray shows off the latest
Paris fashion in the October 1926 edition of Picture Play magazine.

Who ever thought blue duo-tone was a good color for
interior pages should be shot.

Hope you enjoyed the show.

Asides: Earl Christy Was On A Roll In Early 1932

F. Earl Christy (1883-1961), who has been mentioned on this blog in the past, was one of the most prolific illustrators of the early half of the twentieth century. Christy studied commercial art at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. His work was found on or in practically every movie magazine published in the 1920's and 30's and in advertisements, sheet music, postcards and general publications as early as 1906.

He was particularly busy providing covers for Photoplay. I generally like the work he did for Photoplay, but occasionally he seemed to miss the mark in capturing the essence of his subject - probably because he was turning out so much work. I am sure at the height of the depression it was rare that he turned down any assignment.

However, I think the first three Photoplay covers of 1932 are wonderful examples of his best work. The colors are vivid, the expressions of the actresses capture their allure, and the easy, yet stylish approach are a pleasure to view. Click on the images for a larger view.

Photoplay - January 1932

Photoplay - February 1932

Photoplay - March 1932

And if you are wondering "How Garbo's Fear of People Started" - well guess what, some came from what we hear about everyday now, paparazzi, though that term wasn't yet coined in 1932. From the article, "Every time Garbo tried to take a quiet walk in Central Park she was dogged by reporters and cameraman."

For a bit of history, here two Christy postcards from 1906.

Mary Astor

Born in Illinois in 1906 as Lucile Vasconcellos Langhanke (now there's a name for a marquee - not), most all of us know Mary Astor from her starring role in The Maltese Falcon opposite Bogey. To begin though, she was pushed into beauty contests by her father and thankfully was discovered and signed to a Hollywood studio at 14! In 1924, Mary landed a role as Lady Margery Alvaney opposite the great John Barrymore in the film BEAU BRUMMEL. This launched her career to stardom and a lively affair with Barrymore. Mary was one of those lucky actresses who made the successful transition to "talkies" because of her voice and strong screen presence. In 1941, she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in THE GREAT LIE. Personal problems plagued her through a good portion of her life, but she made over 120 films. Mary Astor died in 1987.

Here is Mary with William Boyd (AKA Hopalong Cassidy).

Mary Astor - What do you think? Allure?