Movie Monday: The Runaways

The 70's: a decade I haven't' talked about often. Let me correct that by presenting The Runaways (2010) on this fine Movie Monday. This movie chronicles the band The Runaways from their debut in 1975 to their breakup in 1977 following the overwhelming reaction of fans on their Japanese tour.

What does this mean for us costumers? Plenty of eye candy 70's Rocker fashion!

The original Runaways

By the way, look at this original picture and notice if you please the lingerie worn by Cherie Currie. Now look at this still from the movie:

The Runaways (2010)

I love it when I know the Costume Designer did their research.

On the actor's level, it's also nice to see Dakota Fanning (Cherie Currie) all grown up and Kristen Stewart (Joan Jett) act. I know this may potentially sound mean, but I find she is demonstrating more talent in the 1:30 minute trailer for The Runaways (2010) than I have seen her show in two Twilight movies (my opinion anyways). Good for her!

Grab your leather vests, Rocker chicks, this movie is coming to you soon!

Costumes for this moie were designed by Carol Beadle; this is Carol's first credit as Costume Designer, according to IMDB (and I think she did an amazing job, based on what I have seen in the movie trailer).

Original Star Trek Conventions

I don't know about you, but I was brought up a geek, by a family of Trekkies. My aunt used to go to Star Trek conventions all the way in California, sometimes on a moment's notice. My mom once called all the Shatners in the phonebook (you did know he is from Montréal, right?) to find William Shatner's family and she struck a conversation with his mom (she was a teen, we all do crazy things when we're that age). I learned to speak English by watching Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)(well yes, because as you may have guessed by now, my mother tongue is french).

Now imagine how exciting it was for this vintage loving Trekkie Costumeholic to find this Newsweek article: Where Trekkies Were Born. It features pictures from early Star Trek conventions (we're talking the 70's) from Jeff Maynard's collection and is narrated by costume designer Angelique Trouvere.

At right, Angelique Trouvere in her Deela costume, 1976

I have never claimed to be The original Costumeholic, nor will I ever: clearly, this proves there were costumeholics years before I was born!

Monica Miller doing a Vulcan Fire Dance for the cast, September 1976

Conventioneers did not yet have the Leia Slave Bikini to go for, which apparently did not stop them from donning skimpy outfits.

Kris Lundy (second from left) as Lieutenant M'Ress from Star Trek - The Animated Series (1973) and Angelique Trouvere (center) as a Lady from Wrigley's Pleasure Planet, February 1975

Seriously, if it wasn't for the intense eye makeup so typical of the era, this picture could have been taken last year! This is fascinating stuff.

Jeff Maynard and Kris Lundy as an Orion Slave Girl, January 1975

I have considered making an Orion Slave Girl costume. The full body makeup is a hassle though, but I still might, eventually.

William Shatner and a Fan on a mock-up Enterprise bridge, Chicago, August 1975

Oh... My... Gods! A tie-dyed orange suit! I feel dizzy. It's OK for a skirt or a top, but for a whole suit?

Sorry, I meant, nice costume, unidentified fan!

Helen Wood as Bridge Officer from an Alternate Universe and Marc Billgray as Spock's Ear, 1975

Well... Dressing up as a single ear is, undenyingly, one original costume!

Nichelle Nichols and a young fan

Aw! This is how parents train the next generation of geeks: they take them to conventions and make them wear costume. (I plead guilty in advance: I will do that to my kid).

Masquerade participants, February 1974

All good conventions have their masquerade, and if you have ever participated in one, you know there is a lot of waiting in line involved.

I really must show this to my Aunt. Here is how seriously she has influenced me to love Star Trek: she brought me a Tribble from one of the conventions she went to (don't worry, I haven't fed it).

I bet she'll be thrilled. Maybe. Well at least she'll think it's neat.

Movie Monday: Dreamgirls

Dreamgirls (2006) is going to be shown on ABC tonight! I've never seen this Oscar winning movie, and it has plenty of costumes from one of my favorite decades, the 60's! I especially like the whole backup singers trio look, with lots of glitter and huge hair!

I was so excited when, while flipping the channels, I saw Marcus Terrell and the Serenades on America's Got Talent (especially when they all have the big hair and the blue dresses).

(Sorry about the poor quality, it's the only video I could find of the dresses I mentioned, but unfortunately, some people still don't know how to work technology - you don't have to film your TV to record a video!)

Anyway, back to the main topic: Dreamgirls on ABC tonight, starting at 8 p.m. If you haven't seen this movie et and wish to see it (for free! - but you have to suffer the adds, you can't get everything in life), don't miss it!

Edit: I just finished watching it and it was a great movie. So many costumes! And almost always a version for curvacious women. (Thank you Jennifer Hudson!).