Fashions of 1934
Directed by William Dieterle
Written by F. Hugh Herbert and Carl Erickson; story by Harry Collins and Warren Duff
1934/USA
First National Pictures (Warner Bros.)
First viewing/Amazon Instant
[box] “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” ― Coco Chanel[/box]
Pre-Code heaven.
William Powell plays Sherwood Nash, a con artist. His latest con involved bootlegging Paris designs and selling them for a song in New York. He is assisted in this by photographer Snap (Frank McHugh) and dress designer Lynn Mason (Bette Davis). Lynn has a yen for Sherwood but he is easily distracted.
Eventually, the three move on to Paris to continue their con. Then they meet up with Joe Ward (Hugh Herbert) an ostrich feather importer. Sherwood stages a show starring a fake Russian Countess in hopes of starting a fashion trend. A couple of lavish Busby Berkeley production numbers ensue.
With Powell, Davis, snappy dialogue and gorgeous girls and clothes, what’s not to like?
Oh those ostrich plumes! And very little else … Busby Berkeley number
