Vogues of 1938

Possibly made as a direct result of the sublime RKO fashion musical of 1934 ROBERTA and certainly a direct reason why there was a sensational Technicolor fashion sequence in THE WOMEN, 1939, this absolutely breathtaking Technicolor fashion comedy made in 1937 is an art deco dream come true. A film like this is quite beyond criticism... we should just be grateful it exists to showcase the height of sophisticated design fashion women and comedy in the snazzy 1930s. Joan Bennett is Lucille Ball style gorgeous and Warner Baxter is 42nd st handsome and tough... but the highlight of this superb production is the eye-popping art deco direction and design and the fashions themselves.... how cold anyone complain about this gift from the 30s? Very few modern color 30s films exist... maybe really only NOTHING SACRED or GOLDWYN FOLLIES compare... but this one! wow! truly a sublime confection of modern Manhattan life for the nightclub and fashion set in glorious perfected Technicolor... well no written compliment can do the visuals justice when you see them. There was a huge number of new cinemas built in the mid 30s and many many old theaters were snazzed up into deco design in '37'38'39 so color films like this were used to open them, allowing the cinema and the film to have a gala opening season showing the peak of cinema technical and artistic quality... hence films like this not only served to be a delight of their own time, but they made millions by easily being chosen as the opening film in thousands of cinemas and command a huge rental fee for the privilege... hence making massive return for the producer.... VOGUES OF 1938 is a crystal rainbow of art deco life, made wisely in color in the height of the 30s art deco design boom. See it love it and show it to everyone you know... and like me, say thankyou for those wise clever producers of the mid 30s who have created a breathtaking modern masterpiece as treasured as the many gorgeous cinemas that were subsequently demolished in the 60s and 70s. They do not exist but this lovely smart funny modern film does. A very witty script and a hilarious rollerskating interlude only add to the continual delight. Yippee!

Decided to watch this film and see what was going on in 1937 and what the charming ladies looked like in order to attract the opposite sex. Well, hats were the in THING, along with FURS, and some pretty nice styles with wild woman's hairdo's. Joan Bennett, (Wendy Van Klettering),"Scarlet Street",'45, was very slim and trim and very attractive with a rather sexy voice. Wendy was not very happy about getting married and became " A Runaway Bride" in the 1930's. The husband she was to marry was, Alan Mowbray,(Henry Morgan),"I Wake Up Screaming",'41, who played a rather dumb role and gave a great supporting role. Warner Baxter, (George Curson), "Shadows in the Night",'41, ran a model agency and had all the best looking gals show off their fancy clothing. There was a great scene at the "COTTON CLUB", and fantastic dancing and way out musicians. If you want to take a look way back into the past and see how that generation enjoyed themselves, this is worth viewing.

Walter Wanger produced this United Artist's release and with Vogues Of 1938 he was hoping to cut into the musical market that Warner Brothers, MGM, and Sam Goldwyn dominated. He was hoping to use Carole Lombard in the lead, but it turned out to be a vehicle for his own wife Joan Bennett.

Interestingly enough he got Warner Baxter to appear opposite his wife as the male lead and neither of them are singers. In fact the film is carefully divided between the musical and dramatic portions. The musical bits are not part of the plot and the score is from a variety of sources.

Baxter is the owner of the House Of Curson a famed fashion design house that's come down to him in three generations. In a roundabout way he makes the acquaintance of Joan Bennett who is the owner of a great society name, but the family has seen better days financially. She's marrying dull and plodding Alan Mowbray to cure that. But she leaves him standing at the altar.

The notoriety Bennett has gotten leaving Mowbray makes Baxter ask her to be his new top model. That doesn't leave Baxter's wife Helen Vinson very happy. But she's jumping for joy as Mowbray is determined to ruin Baxter and he sets up Mischa Auer in a rival house to ruin him. Of course all the fashion espionage tricks are played by both sides.

In the end Baxter to show off his latest designs puts on a musical show and this is where the bulk of the numbers come in. Here and in a scene with Baxter and Bennett at the famous Harlem Cotton Club. The show that Baxter puts on is entitled Vogues Of 1938.

Vogues Of 1938 received two Oscar nominations for Best Art Design and for Best Song with Lew Brown and Sammy Fain's That Old Feeling. That Old Feeling is a song done by about every recording artist you can name. It is introduced in fine style by Virginia Verrill at the Cotton Club sequence. It certainly is one eternally enduring standard.

Walter Wanger put a lot into this film and he got good if not great results.

This film is a fun diversion. It is a beautiful example of early Technicolor photography and it looks as if it has been restored. The sets and costumes will be of interest to any one who loves art decco. Unfortunately this is not a Busby Berkley film.It lacks big production numbers and is dull in parts.

Have not seen the entire movie as yet, but the mid to end is stunning! The usual story line was palatable but Baxter looked too old. Joan Bennett was super-duper beautiful with lovely speaking voice. Loved Mischa Auer and Alan Mowbray! The costuming was stupendous....furs, hats, ensembles to rave about. As a collector of vintage fashions, I am mesmerized by this spectacle and plan to try to find a copy of this great film.