Indiana Jones' origins: An interview with costume designer Deborah Landis

[dr greg]

It's old news, but Heston didn't wear a fedora in the Incas movie, it was an Aussie digger's hat....

 

[DougC]

That was a great read, but, I don't believe a word. 1941 a flop? Seriously! That is one funny movie.

 

[Sloan1874]

The film cost 35 million dollars to make and brought back a domestic gross of 31 million, failing to even break even. If that's not the definition of a flop, I don't know what is. [huh] That's not to say it's an awful movie - I think retrospectively its rep has had a bit of a rehabilitation - though it's a long time since I've seen it.

 

[winterland1]

Found this info with a little googling. Made it through about half of it. No matter what the story is, it is a very iconic hat for sure.
http://www.indygear.com/igfedora.html

 

[Seb Lucas]

That was a great read, but, I don't believe a word. 1941 a flop? Seriously! That is one funny movie.

I remember it coming out at the cinema and how it sank. Had some funny scenes but was terribly disorganized and chaotic like that other Belushi classic The Blues Brothers.

 

[Fanch]

Best Belushi movie was Animal House.

 

[1961MJS]

The film cost 35 million dollars to make and brought back a domestic gross of 31 million, failing to even break even. If that's not the definition of a flop, I don't know what is. [huh] That's not to say it's an awful movie - I think retrospectively its rep has had a bit of a rehabilitation - though it's a long time since I've seen it.

Hi

When they count profitability of a movie, when do they "quit"? I mean, The Wizard of Oz is still selling copies and I think that that last actress / actor / film worker died a decade ago??

Just curious.

I do agree that spending 35 million to get 31 million would define a flop.

 

[Stearmen]

Hi

When they count profitability of a movie, when do they "quit"? I mean, The Wizard of Oz is still selling copies and I think that that last actress / actor / film worker died a decade ago??

All the principle actors are gone, but, Caren Marsh-Doll, the stunt double for Judy Garland is still alive, as are two of the Munchkins! I do not know if any of the flying monkeys are still with us.

 

[Sloan1874]

I spoke to a person who knows about box office sales and suchlike, and she said that it rolls on for as long the film is being shown, but generally the vast majority of box office is during the initial cinematic run.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I spoke to a person who knows about box office sales and suchlike, and she said that it rolls on for as long the film is being shown, but generally the vast majority of box office is during the initial cinematic run.

That's right because box office takings are how the Studio bosses know if the film is a success - does it make their money back with profit right away. A film that becomes a classic later is generally a failure as far as the producers are concerned.

 

[Sloan1874]

Exactly, so a classic can easily be a flop when it first comes out. ie Withnail & I

 

[Seb Lucas]

Good call, Sloan. I saw Withnail when it came out. A film which gradually became a hit and then a cult classic.

 

[Sloan1874]

In case anyone's wondering what we're talking about, here's the whole thing on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhq-8TrRlsM

 

[Stearmen]

That's right because box office takings are how the Studio bosses know if the film is a success - does it make their money back with profit right away. A film that becomes a classic later is generally a failure as far as the producers are concerned.

Like, Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes?

 

[Sloan1874]

Perhaps more like The Blob.

 

[GHT]

My wife is scouring fabric shops, websites and her own collection for a paper pattern, that is a copy of Karen Allen's (Marion) suit in the finale of Raiders of the Lost Ark. If anyone can put her in the right direction, please tell. This is the outfit that she intends to make:

 

[Seb Lucas]

I think Bermans and Nathan's made that costume to Nadoolman's pattern - they are now called Angels in the UK. Why not contact them for some ideas? If you can get past the admin worker and onto a creative, you might be given an idea or two.

 

[bobm]

Found this info with a little googling. Made it through about half of it. No matter what the story is, it is a very iconic hat for sure.
http://www.indygear.com/igfedora.html

Thanks for that interesting link.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Thanks for that interesting link.

The Fedora Lounge was created by an Indy fanatic and Indygear stalwart, MK, as a place to further explore 1930's style clothing. Many of us ended up here after looking at Indygear.

 

[bobm]

The Fedora Lounge was created by an Indy fanatic and Indygear stalwart, MK, as a place to further explore 1930's style clothing. Many of us ended up here after looking at Indygear.

That's another interesting piece of information; thanks for the reply.