#1961 movies

One Dress a Week Challenge

May: Gold & Silver

Pocketful of Miracles / Hope Lange as Elizabeth “Queenie” Martin

Queenie wears this sparkling showgirl’s outfit for a brief scene at a bash celebrating the end of Prohibition–hence the flying streamers that sometimes get in the way of the camera. It was featured on the movie poster and also used for some publicity shots which ironically give us a better view of the costume than the actual film does.

The material seems to have an interesting sort of fish-scale texture, and the double halter straps add some visual interest. The fringes help to accentuate Queenie’s movements, as do the feathers on her headdress and fan.

This has some interesting similarities to Roxie’s silver showgirl outfit in Chicago, with the textured top and fringe skirt, but I’m sure it’s just because they’re looking back to the same set of 1920s/30s originals. (Costumes for this film are by Edith Head for the women and Walter Plunkett for the men.)

I had thought Hope Lange was related to previous silver-dress-wearer Jessica Lange, but apparently not!