Fashions of 1934 (1934)

How sad is this?

Beautiful, moving film.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

This is not the best movie I've ever seen, but it's also not the worst (far from it).I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Bette Davis before she "Bette Davis". One reviewer mentioned that she was 'unrecognizable' and I don't understand that at all. The first time she's on screen is in profile and I recognized her immediately. Yes, she's blonde in this movie but her eyes and voice are unmistakable.The whole plot of this movie was (for me) just a sideshow to the wonderful 1930's fashion (both hair and dresses). I loved the Busby Berkeley ostrich feather extravaganza. That number cannot be explained. It must be seen to be appreciated.While I'm happy this movie wasn't longer than it was, I'm also not sorry that I spent 70+ minutes of my life watching. It was an enjoyable piece of fluff.

Don't let the title fool you. Fashions or Fashions of 1934 is just inocently fun to watch. Considering that it was made in the middle of the depression, it gave American's what they were looking for--humor, a love story and a considerable amount of extremely sexy costumes (pre-censor). As always, William Powell is at his best and Bette Davis, is well, Bette Davis--younger and more innocent but absolutely stunningly beautiful. Powell's performance is always enhanced by supporting actors--in this case Frank McHugh who has played his comedic side kick in several other movies. The direction is excellent--good continuity tells an simple but excellent story. Fun to watch--in 1934 or today.

I really wanted to love this movie. After all, it starred William Powell and Bette Davis--two of my all-time favorite actors. Yet despite this, it was a pretty miserable little film.First, it was really tough to care about William Powell and company. While in the past they have "skirted the edges" of the legal system in some films, here they were simply thieves. This isn't exactly endearing! Second, there wasn't a whole lot of movie. It was only about 75 minutes long and much of this was spent watching some Busby Berkely numbers. As a result, acting and plot development could have definitely stood some work. Plus, I doubt that people that like Berkely's style films and people that like light comedy are one in the same--many people wanting more comedy would hate the over-the-top dance numbers and the few people who actually think Berkely's numbers were worth watching may not like comedy.Third, the basic plot involving high fashion is just dull. Who cares about a lot of rich fools who like to walk around with ostrich feathers sticking out of their dresses?! The overall package just isn't very entertaining. In fact, it's downright dull. Do yourself a favor and find pretty much ANY other Powell or Davis movie!

A genial racketeer and his assorted companions hope to become very rich by stealing the FASHIONS OF 1934.Here is another example of the Pre-Code comedy crime caper film which Warner Bros. seemed to produce so effortlessly in the early 1930's. Featuring good production values, witty dialogue, slick acting & utterly inconsequential in actual value, these movies were sure to be crowd pleasers and theater fillers.Affably sophisticated, William Powell is a fine crook, a rogue the movie audience can feel comfortable rooting for. He makes his life of larceny seem almost casual. Playing his artistic associate, Bette Davis not only scores in the acting department (admittedly not very demanding), but she also looks fabulous, an instant refutation to anyone who ever thought she never looked glamorous on the screen. Through all the fluff & feathers she drops a few hints to the talent she would eventually unleash.The supporting cast is very commendable. Whimsical Hugh Herbert, as the California Ostrich King, gets to showcase his quirky humor. Frank McHugh scores as Powell's haplessly lecherous gofer. Lovely Verree Teasdale stirs up the plot as a Russian noblewoman who is not all she seems. Blustery Reginald Owen is a French couturier who runs afoul of Powell; Henry O'Neill and chittering little Etienne Girardot are New York fashion designers who also are confronted by the gang's duplicitous dealings. Handsome Philip Reed is the talented musician who is Powell's romantic rival for Bette's affections.Movie mavens will spot Arthur Treacher as Miss Teasdale's butler, Jane Darwell as an enthusiastic Parisian customer & Hobart Cavanaugh, hilarious in the film's final moments as a desperate worm breeder; all appear uncredited.One of the film's greatest assets is a musical production number created by the legendary Busby Berkeley. Meant to showcase ostrich feathers, 'Spin A Little Web Of Dreams' is a dazzler with Busby's trademark identical blonde showgirls whirling through complicated circular movements & patterns. It is one of his most charming successes.Mention should be made of Orry-Kelly's fashions, which really are quite special.