Modas de 1934

Bette Davis looks so beautiful in this confection of a film that celebrates the glorious fashions of the early 1930's. This film will start a love affair for life with the clothes here. If only we could look as lovely every day.

William Powell and Bette Davis are mere side lines in this film that was made in the height of the Great Depression. The story of a conman in the fashion world of the 1930's is an usual storyline but it gives opportunity for an insiders look at this world that we really know and understand very little especially at this time. There are some unusual scenes that include

a walking stick that is a camera. The main musical scene has girls as harps. It is absolutely enchanting.

Despite its garish title, "Fashions of 1934" is actually a pretty decent movie, certainly better than the bad reputation it's stuck with. Armed with a snappy script and fast paced direction, the actors in "Fashions" shine, showing off their abilities, whether they be comedic, dramatic or both. William Powell makes a good old rascal, the decent "un decent" man that was a virtual staple at Warner Bros. (the studio who produced this film) at the time. Bette Davis, all glammed up in red lipstick and classy dresses, shows off a rare ability for humor, fitting right in to the film's light hearted tone. As Powell's sidekick, Frank McHugh almost steals the show, mastering and even rising above the script's punchlines by exaggerated facial expressions and crude but effective slapstick. "Fashions of 1934" isn't a comedy classic nor does it aim to be one. It simply wants to entertain the audience with good humor, effective acting and direction that moves things along at a quick pace. By all accounts, it has succeeded.

"Fashions of 1934" is an amusing light comedy starring William Powell and Bette Davis.

Davis looks much more sophisticated than she did in "The Man Who Played God." She's very glamorous and also very good in a film that's mainly fueled by Powell's performance as a con man.

The Powell character goes from con to con, sometimes a con within a con - he can't resist. One of his schemes is to copy fashion sketches from Paris and pass them off as originals.

Another is to sell a surplus of ostrich plumes by featuring them in a musical revue. This gives rise to a great musical number, "Spin a Little Web of Dreams." It's a Busby Berkeley kaleidoscope production. The audience at the musical revue, however, didn't see it as moviegoers did - from above.

This is a fun movie and notable for the actual fashions shown, a good performance by Powell, a spectacular number, and early Davis before she established her screen persona.

It's a caper in the fashion industry. The awesome, charming William Powell, as the forger and faker who moves from one scheme to another, and one country to another. Bette Davis is Lynn, his sidekick. Davis was just getting going in show biz, and would quickly move into some bigger roles. The hilarious Frank McHugh and Hugh Herbert are both along for comedic laughs. and of course... Busby Berkeley directing some huge, gigantic song and dance routine involving TONS of dancers ( as usual). there's a love (triangle) story in amonst the goings on in the fashion world. Which gir will end up with which guy? and which guy will end up with which business? shenanigans that wouldn't be allowed for much longer, under that dreaded stronger film code that would be installed pretty soon after this. it's pretty good. Director Dieterle has an interesting story on wikipedia.

A user before called it dated, a user after that said of course it's dated it's from 1933. I am always amused by those comments.

I think some people don't understand what 'dated' means. Dated means it's tired, old, boring and has no teeth. Which is exactly the OPPOSITE from this kind of film!

It's PRE CODE : the dancing is provocative, the gals are prostitutes and guys are gangsters + the music numbers are fresh young loud and simply alive! So what on earth are you talking about people??

This movie is glamour and sleaze and that's what you want from a 30s!

You want to watch something dated? Try a Von Sternberg/Dietrich film.

This a great one.