Ray Milland's Suit in The Big Clock (1948)

[Wolfmanjack]

I thoroughly enjoyed the 1948 film noir thriller The Big Clock on Turner Classic Movies last night. Lots of great suits (and hats). Ray Milland stars as George Stroud, a NYC crime magazine editor who is framed for a murder by his tyrannical publishing boss, Earl Janoth (Charles Laughton).

I was captivated by Milland's suit, a single-breasted, three-button sack suit made up in a soft herringbone tweed. The drape of this suit is absolutely fantastic! Look at this clip from the film, especially 01:00 to 02:20:

[video=youtube;wQ12Q6Y2ppA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ12Q6Y2ppA&feature=BFa&list=PL9BDFF8852A3AC90C&lf=results_main[/video]

Milland is moving around quite a lot in this scene, but no matter his posture, the suit falls into place perfectly. Clearly, Milland is wearing the suit, the suit is not wearing him.

The famous Edith Head is credited for costume design. She certainly built a remarkable suit.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I'm going to hazard a guess that it's a lighter-weight cashmere or cashmere blend suit with a wide herringbone stripe. It drapes and flows more softly than, say, gabardine, and certainly more than a standard wool tweed.

 

[Chasseur]

Very sharp.

 

[Tomasso]

I'm going to hazard a guess that it's a lighter-weight cashmere or cashmere blend suit with a wide herringbone stripe.

I'd bet on a blend. 90/10 has been around a long while. Great stuff.