Fashions of 1934

"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.

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.

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.

Old time Hollywood doesn't come much slicker than this- a fast talking Powell, a fast moving screenplay, lots of scantily clad girls, and plenty of snappy dialogue. All add up to a WB topper, and catch that Busby Berkeley choreographed show stopper. Have ostrich plumes ever been used to greater dance effect than with Berkeley's artistic eye. Then too, guys, the chorines are about as near-nude as even pre-Code would allow. And that's along with parades of statuesque ladies modeling the year's high fashions. It's also Bette Davis as a near ingenue in her pre-feisty phase. Still, I could have done without two gag men (McHugh & Herbert) furnishing what amounts to unnecessary comedy relief, the snappy dialogue already supplying as much as needed.

Overall, Powell dominates the speedy proceedings showing his rare talent for charm and presence. Then too, the plot's an engaging one as Powell moves effortlessly from one slick fashion scam to the next. But you may need a scorecard to keep up. Also, check out IMDB's trivia for interesting production facts, like what Davis objected to in her part.

All in all, it's pre-Code Hollywood at its most liberated and engaging, so don't pass it up. Plus, the colorful results are a can't-miss for fans of Powell like me.

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.