Films about glamour, art deco, decadence?

[Poppy-Hopkins]

This is a rather self-indulgent thread I'm sad to report, but being a self-confessed art deco junkie and 20's flapper at heart, I'm keen to garner your recommendations for films that are set between 1920-1939, that depict the exploits of high society socialites and well-heeled couples. I'm eager to see elegant interiors, sumptuous costumes and to absorb the language and mannerisms of featured characters. I'm not struck on modern productions of bygone times, I'd prefer to hear of some film titles from the 40's, 50's or even 60's.

Your suggestions would be most welcome, no matter how banal the storyline or however wooden the acting; American or British.

Poppy.

[judylou]

Not made in the times, but Thoroughly Modern Millie has some great fashions in it:

[Nick Dando]

Would The Hudsucker Proxy be suitable? I haven't seen it for a while, but I'm hoping to catch up with it this weekend.

Nick

[CaptainWaggett]

More or less every screwball comedy of the 1930s would fit the bill - notably My Man Godfrey and the Topper trilogy which certainly have plenty of bright young things leading the glamourous life.

[cassidy]

As does "My Fair Lady" particularly at Ascot.

Not made in the times, but Thoroughly Modern Millie has some great fashions in it:

[judylou]

Not really 20's or 30's though!

[judylou]

As does "My Fair Lady" particularly at Ascot.

Not really 20's or 30's though!

[cassidy]

Quite right judylou, I mis-read the thread.

Not really 20's or 30's though!

[Freddy]

Cabaret, made in 1972, deals with pre war Berlin, has a style and European elegance all of its own. Shows you don't have to be rich to have style.
Death in Venice with Dirk Bogarde, written in 1911 and the film in 1971 could be slightly outside your remit, but still worth a watch.
Chariots of Fire, although made in 1981 the first half of the film is set in 20s Oxford University.

Have a look at

films

Good luck with your search

[Euryale]

I'd have thought some of the Fred and Ginger musicals, and films that Busby Berkeley worked on, for example, Fashions of 1934.



E.

[wadsy]

"Four's a Crowd" 1938!

[Poppy-Hopkins]

This is just wonderful, thank you all for your suggestions. My Love Film 'rentals schedule' will shortly be taking a pounding.


Poppy.

[jaycad]

It's an era that interests me greatly too! try
'A Handful of Dust'
'Bright Young Things'
'Gosford Park' (which I'm sure you've already seen?)
also,the TV adaptations of:
'Brideshead Revisited'
'Love in a Cold Climate'
and for Art Deco there's 'Poirot' and 'Lord Peter Wimsey'!

[ShirlGirl]

The Boy Friend (1971) - Twiggy
Star! (1968) - Julie Andrews.
Fabulous flapper costumes etc.

Bugsy Malone (1976)

[Arfur Teacake]

'Poor Butterfly' from the Journey to the Unknown series

might be an interesting little side salad to add to your main dish?

[Maurice]

You might like PASCALI'S ISLAND (1988) - though it's set in 1908.

[Poppy-Hopkins]

'Poor Butterfly' from the Journey to the Unknown series

might be an interesting little side salad to add to your main dish?

I have this series, only I haven't had the time to watch past the first episode yet (the mannequin plot with Dennis Waterman) but having read a brief synopsis online, Poor Butterfly sounds a great recommendation.

for Art Deco there's 'Poirot'

Yes, it's very hard to top Poirot really for visual aesthetics and it does have it's fair share of hifalutin chaps and ladies floating around in it come to think of it, good pick.

Death in Venice
Chariots of Fire

I'll be sure to give those two a watch.

Poppy.

[Steve Crook]

What about Mapp & Lucia
Great books and a great TV series with Geraldine McEwan, Prunella Scales & Nigel Hawthorne


Steve

[cassidy]

If TV series come into it then "The Forsyte Saga" must be worth a mention.

[jaycad]

If TV series come into it then "The Forsyte Saga" must be worth a mention.

IIRC the majority of the plot is Victorian/Edwardian? If this era is also of interest to Poppy then I would suggest 'Tye Shooting Party'