North by Northwest Party

 

Tickets to Film Fatale presents: North by Northwest are all sold out but fear not because the best part of the night is the after-party. Kicking off at 11pm with Jaime Nanci and the Blue Boys, the night will be heavily influenced by the 50s with a North by Northwest meets Mad Men vibe.

 Jaime Nanci and the Blue Boys are a four piece ensemble working within the traditional jazz parameters of piano, double bass, drums and vocals, but they are anything but traditional. Taking contemporary classics by artists like The Cure, The Smiths and Depeche Mode, twisting them into sultry swing tunes, bluesy ballads and even ragtime Charleston, adding into the mix some beloved standards, even the occasional show-tune, these Cats blow the roof off and will leave you aching for more.

From Midnight we'll have the awe-inspiring Andrews Sisters' Brothers who will have you dancing and jivin' to famous dance floor fillers from the 50s and early 60s.  As well as a mix of jazz, wing rock'n'roll, mambo, some rare gems of 1920's charleston, boogie-woogie and some vintage inspired modern treats thrown in for good measure.

Here's a taster:

The Madison Avenue Cocktail

The Sugar Club's cocktail maestro extraordinaire has designed a bespoke cocktail for North by Northwest. Madison Avenue is a delectable mix of superspiced Vodka (Absolut Vodka house infused with 5 different spices and 3 different fruits for 1 month), Cranberry and Lime at the wallet friendly price of €5.

Long before Mad Men’s Don Draper graced Madison Avenue, there was Cary Grant’s Roger Thornhill, the dashing and debonair advertising executive who is the inspiration for this yummy cocktail. 

The Suit

North by Northwest is not just famous for its sexy suspense. It is also famous for the suit — an iconic grey suit worn by Cary Grant that has left a lasting mark on men’s fashion.

North by Northwest stars Grant as a Manhattan ad man pursued across the country while he looks for a way to survive. Most men would crumble, but Thornhill is smooth, suave and calm under pressure, and he is never less than devastatingly handsome in that iconic grey suit.

The suit is a silver-gray, slim-cut suit with no flaps at the hem of the jacket (ventless). It was unique at the time and created a silhouette that would become the famous later, especially as the Madmen-style suit.

The suit became popular in the late 50s and early 60s, and is now popular again as a result of Madmen. It is based on the famous Kilgour suit which was designed by a century-old haberdasher on London’s famous Savile Row especially for North by Northwest. 

Hitchcock let Grant decide on his own wardrobe and Grant had input into the suit’s design. It helped that his contract stated that he got to keep everything he wore in the film.

Oh how he wears it! He is pursued across America, from New York to Mount Rushmore, chased by the police and the dastardly James Mason. Grant keeps his cool and the suit remains unruffled. Mason's henchman even notes "He’s a well-tailored one, isn’t he?”. Only a low flying plane on a murderous rampage dusts up the suit but he soon has it pressed and dry-cleaned.

Throughout all the action Grant remains the dashing and debonair advertising executive.  The suit adds to this persona but some would go so far as to say that the suit is like a character of its own. The 2006 Granta essay, Cary Grant’s Suit written by Todd McEwen says that, “North by Northwest isn’t a film about what happens to Cary Grant, it’s about what happens to his suit.”

Whether you feel as strongly about the suit as Todd McEwen or not, you must admit that it is a damn fine suit that would make any man look dashing. So if you plan to emulate Cary Grant for Film Fatale presents: North by Northwest, here are some tips:

The suit is a Lightweight wool single-breasted suit, ventless, with three button fastening and notched lapels.  Worn with matching trousers with forward pleats and a white medium spread collar shirt with double cuff and a grey silk tie.

Suits like these don’t grow on trees and are incredibly expensive so it's best to find something similar. Look for a silver-grey suit but navy and black will also work.

The most important thing is the cut. Choose a slim line single-breasted jacket and matching trousers. Pair with a thin silk tie and buttoned-up shirt. If you are a stickler for detail, mirror Grants outfit entirely by wearing cuff-links and brown leather shoes. 

If you can’t find your perfect suit simply go for the trousers, shirt and tie option. Brylcreem your hair into a side parting and make sure your clothes are so well pressed that no amount of dancing or Martini drinking will ruffle your collar. When you are looking the part, reach inside yourself and find your inner Cary Grant. Mahogany tan is optional.

Eva Saint Marie 1950s Fashion

It's not all about the suit! Eva Marie Saint manages to hold her own as Eve Kendall, a mystery woman who A.H. Weiler described in a New York Times review as “a blonde Mata Hari” and “a glamorous charmer.” Though the costume designer for the film was supposed to be Harry Kress, Saint’s wardrobe was in essence designed by Hitchcock. In a 2010 interview with Chicagoist, Saint gives the wardrobe credit to Hitchcock. The director disliked the clothes that MGM created and took his leading lady to Bergdorf Goodman for a shopping spree, where he instructed her to choose dresses right off the models. Saint chose her entire wardrobe, including the full-skirted black silk dress with a pattern of red roses for the auction scene. She was delighted to hear Hitchcock say, “Wrap them up for Eva Marie,” and still refers to the director as her “one and only Sugar Daddy.”

But whether the dresses were truly of her choosing is up for debate. Saint told Chicagoist: “He’d done his homework, I’m sure, and he didn’t have the models come out in anything but what he would choose, too.” This seems likely since Hitchcock oversaw every aspect of Saint’s look, including her accessories and natural make-up and hair. Hitchcock had an affinity for neat, classic dressers, and Saint’s well-dressed lady is no different. From the impossibly-shiny-and-blonde coif (which Saint had re-styled during lunch breaks) to the perfectly matched gloves, everything Saint wears is premeditated. Eve Kendall’s first appearance onscreen reveals her role as seductress when she walks away and Hitchcock has the camera linger on her swinging hips snug in a black pencil skirt. Understandably, Thornhill ogles. He voices his appreciation later when Kendall coos, “I’m a big girl,” and he replies, “Yeah, in all the right places, too.”

On This Day in Fashion 

We won't have Hitchcock there to help us decide what we're wearing for the next Film Fatale so here's some handy hints.

A simple and elegant look, a black pencil skirt and matching suit jacket with a smart casual white top underneath. The key to the look is the tailoring on the jacket and the finer details like the chic black court shoes and matching black gloves and bag.
   

A late 50s early 60s dress that wouldn't look out of place in Mad Men. What could be garish is made classy by muting bright colours. If your lucky enough to find a jacket in the same colour or a similar palette, pair together and stand out from the crowd.

A beautifully tailored little black dress with 3/4 length sleeves and a bateau neckline. Fitted but comfortable and tucked in at the waist by a grey belt. Hitchcock has gone wild matching accessories,  a matching grey belt and long gloves and a black hat with a beige rim that matches her beige handbag. Finished with a string of pearls for pure ladylike sophistication.

The most stunning dress of the film. A bright bold flowered patterned 1950s swing dress with a bateau neckline and 3/4 length sleeves, very Betty Draper. Thanks to Mad Men you can actually find similar dresses. Look for cinched in waists and full skirts to the knee or slightly below and the bolder the colour and the pattern the better.

1950s Hair

At the time of North byNorthwest's production, much publicity was garnered by Hitchcock's decision to cut Saint's waist-length blonde hair for the first time in her career. Hitchcock explained at the time, "Short hair gives Eva a more exotic look, in keeping with her role of the glamorous woman of my story". He was right, Eva's soft curled hair was the epitome of late 1950s glamour.

Short to Medium Length Hair
If you have short to medium length hair then your in luck and will find it a very simple hair style to recreate. Wash your hair the day before so it's clean but not too squeaky clean. Run a small bit of mousse through your hair and part it to the side. Keeping the side parting, use clips to put your hair into separate sections. You have three options 1. hair tongs 2. heated rollers 3. foam rollers.
If your using a tongs, work around the side parting, curl each section of hair individually and then clip it in place so that the curl stays tight. For heated and foam curlers, put each side of hair in opposing directions . If your hair is parted to the right, roll hair curlers towards your face and away from your face on the left hand side. Leave 30 minutes to set.

 Gently take clips out of hair and spray with hair spray or gently uncurl hair from rollers. If you used rollers your probably looking a little Shirley Temple but don't worry, you'll be brushing it all out.

If your hair is tonged gently separate with your fingers and lightly brush around your face, set again with a tiny bit of hair spray. For the Shirley Temple's,gently brush your hair till it still has a bounce and curl but the curls aren't too tight. Frame your hair around your face and set with some hair spray. Finish with some shine spray.

If your after a more Jayne Mansfield/Marilyn style 1950s hair style check out this tutorial.

Long Hair 
If your hair is past your shoulders you have two options. You can take the steps above for a longer version of Eva's 1950s do or you can go one step further and take your freshly curled hair and roll it towards your hairline. Starting with the ends of your hair, roll inwards to hide the end of your hair and roll towards your hair line and clip. It takes abit of practice but creates a bouncy voluminous short 1950s hair do.

As another option, here's a great tutorial on Lauren Bacall 1950s hair.

1950s Makeup

As one of Hitchcock's finest ice cool blondes,  Eva Saint Marie's makeup was the epitome of the toned down late 1950s look that still oozed glamour and sophistication. The late 1950s created a softer, more feminine look. Eva wore softly curled hair, gorgeous lipstick, defined eyebrows, and rosy cheeks and played up the glamour at night time with a darker shade of lipstick.

 HOW TO GET THE LOOK

1. Apply foundation and concealer, blending the lines well. This will create a blank canvas for the rest of the look. For a matte skin finish, apply a pressed powder to minimize shine.Comb your eyebrows and define them with a eyebrow pencil that is a little bit darker than your natural shade. Make sure to fill in the lines and define the arches in your brows.
2. Sweep a rosy blush up and outwards starting at the apples of your cheeks.
3. Use a lip liner to create an outline for your lipstick, defining the arch in the upper lip. Apply a matching lipstick (preferably in a matte red, coral, or pinkish-red) to top off the look.
4. After sweeping a light, shimmery shadow across your eyelids, take a black liquid eyeliner and carefully line your top lashes. Eve's eyeliner is incredibly subtle but for a more glamorous night time look make the line dark and solid, starting from about the middle of your eye. Make sure the lines sweep outward and upward to “extend” the look of your lashes.
5. Curl your eyelashes and apply a thick (but not clumpy!) coat of black mascara to your top lashes and a very light coat to your bottom lashes (this creates a subtle, doe-eyed look).     

For tips on a more exaggerated 1950s look, take a look at this fantastic tutorial.                                                                                                                                                                                               

Celebrities have embraced 1950s makeup in recent years, while still making it look modern by switching up the color of the lipstick. Instead of using a red or pinkish-red lipstick, trying a deep nude or even a bright fuchsia. Try it yourself,  just keep your lips precisely lined to keep with the ’50s vibe and, ideally, go for a matte or satin-finish lipstick for the most retro-fabulous look.

 Collegefashion.net

Win Tickets To North by Northwest

We have a pair of tickets to the screening of North by Northwest and the 1950s Madmen-esque party on 31st March, as well as popcorn, sweets and 2 cocktails for one talented advertising executive to win. 


To enter the competition write a snappy slogan for Film Fatale presents North by Northwest or design a 1950s advertising poster. Post your slogans or tag your pictures on our Facebook page or email it to filmfataleevents@gmail.com. 

The competition closes at 3pm on March 29th and the winner will be announced later that evening. Good luck!

We are recruiting!

Love vintage style and classic Hollywood glamour? 

Film Fatale are looking for Ushers, Usherettes, Singers, Bands, DJs, Dancers and performers for future events all over the country.

If your interested please mail us at filmfataleevents@gmail.com stating on the subject line the role you are applying for. Your email must include your name and contact details along with the following information:

Singers and Bands: a publicity shot, a video clip and a generic set list.

DJs: a publicity shot and a generic set list.

Dancers and other performers: a publicity shot and a video clip.

Ushers and Usherettes: a headshot and information on any previous experience as a host/hostess and working with the public.

*Your information will go on file and we will contact you for future events if you are suitable.

Watch us on The Works, RTE ONE

Win tickets to Film Fatale in today's Metro Herald

Film Fatale presents: the sophisticated 1950s Hitchcock thriller North by Northwest

On Saturday 31 March, Film Fatale, Dublin’s most glamorous film event, will screen Hitchcock’s classic suspense thriller, North by Northwest in a night of cinema nostalgia and old–style Hollywood  glamour that will transport the audience back to the 1950s for a night of film, vintage music, cocktails and dancing.

Long before Mad Men’s Don Draper graced Madison Avenue, there was Cary Grant’s Roger Thornhill, the dashing and debonair advertising executive who is mistaken for a spy.

North by Northwest sees Cary Grant as a Manhattan ad man pursued across the country while he looks for a way to survive. Most men would crumble, but Thornhill is smooth, suave and calm under pressure, he is never less than devastatingly handsome in that iconic grey suit. He even has time to charm the ice-cool Eve (Eva Saint Marie) — one of Hitchcock’s greatest blondes.

A screening of North by Northwest will be followed by a 1950s Madmen-esque party with a live performance from Jaime Nancy and the Blue Boys and Film Fatale’s resident DJs, The Andrews Sisters’ Brothers, playing music from the era. The audience is invited to help set the scene by dressing up in their vintage finest, paying homage to 1950s or mirroring the stunning Eva Saint Marie or Cary Grant, who wore that famous grey suit as kidnapped ad man Roger Thornhill.

Sit back in the sumptuous surroundings of the Sugar Club, enjoy a classic signature cocktail designed especially for the night, have the Film Fatale usherettes serve you popcorn while watching one of the greatest thrillers unfold. Then dance the night away.

Tickets €15 are available at http://entertainment.ie/tickets/

Doors open at 8pm       

After-party from 11pm with tickets on the door (€5)                                                                                                            

About Film Fatale

Movie lovers, put on your glad rags and step back in time to a nostalgic night at the movies where you will immerse yourself in the world of your favourite classic films.

Film Fatale is a bi-monthly film event that has been transporting packed houses to the golden age of cinema through film, fashion, music and good old-fashioned fun. Screening the crème de la crème of classic films in the sumptuous surroundings of the Sugar Club, this night of cinema nostalgia and old-style Hollywood glamour mirrors the style of the films being screened.

Coming Soon...