Based on the novel The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith, the 1960 film version of the book called Purple Noon (or Plein Soleil) is one of my favorite movies of all time. Starring the unbelievably handsome Alain Delon in his very first movie role, the look and style of this movie are unsurpassed. If you’ve already seen the Anthony Minghella version from 1999, I highly recommend that you check out this original take on the stylish thriller. An all time favorite, I think this version is a million times better. Directed by esteemed French filmmaker René Clément and also starring Maurice Ronet and Marie Laforet – the nail biting suspense will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

The movie tells the story of the cruel relationship and the eventual ultimate deception between two playboys living it up in the Italian Riviera – the locations and wardrobe used in the film are totally worth the price of admission. Its the perfect movie for a hot summer evening.

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Last week the groundbreaking film Lilies of the Field was on Turner Classic Movies and I got to thinking how Sidney Poitier, while one of the greatest actors of our time, is often overlooked for his impeccable style. Whenever you read about best dressed screen icons…its always the same list: Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, Steve McQueen, only rarely is Mr. Poitier included. I did a little digging around and came up with photo after elegant photo. As you can see here, his understated classic style remains completely consistent throughout his entire sixty year career.

Has there ever been a classier gentleman?

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One of the premier Rock-n-Roll photographers of our time, Jim Marshall, has passed away at the age of 74. Befriending musicians while gaining their confidence, his images appeared in Rolling Stone magazine, on over 500 album covers, and many books – his images make him one of the leaders of this documentary style genre. Annie Leibovitz was quoted in the New York Times as calling him “the rock-n-roll photographer”.

Jim Marshall photographed some of the most iconic images of rock: Johnny Cash giving the finger at San Quentin State Prison, Jimi Hendrix lighting his guitar on fire, and Janis Joplin with her bottle of Southern Comfort. These important pictures helped create the artists images way before MTV or YouTube were even imagined.

A great book of his work is available called Trust: Photographs of Jim Marshall – the pictures depict the relationships between the musician and photographer and the level of trust that develops to reveal the best possible images.

Janis Joplin, 1968

Bob Dylan, 1963

Jimi Hendrix

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Congrats to Jeff Bridges on winning his first Oscar at last night Academy Awards. You’re awesome!

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Alfred Hitchcocks film classic “Rear Window” is playing this Friday and Saturday night at midnight at the beautiful River Oaks Theatre.

In the film, Jimmy Stewart observes the goings on in his urban courtyard while he recovers wheelchair bound with a broken leg. He fills his time observing his neighbors as he takes his beautiful but easily available girlfriend, Grace Kelly, for granted. Not until she puts herself into a perilous situation on his behalf, does Jimmy finally realize how much he really does love her. The movie proves on many levels – that what you see on the outside, may not be necessarily be the truth on the inside.

Rear Window is one of Hitchcock’s finest and most stylish films and Grace Kelly is at her icy blond best. Also starring is the famous character actress, Thelma Ritter, as Jimmy Stewarts straight talking visiting care-taker. I’ve seen this movie more times than I’d like to say, but seeing it in the neon covered River Oaks Theatre would really be great.

Check Landmark – River Oaks Theater website for more information, other movies show-times, etc.

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Now that it’s Hollywood award season again, you can’t seem to turn on the TV without seeing some kind of red carpet shin-dig with movie stars claiming awards for acting roles, and movies getting awarded for earning billions of dollars. While its fun to cheer on your favorites, you can’t help but get a little turned off by all the self congratulations, and pomp & circumstance.

Its also nice to read about one of Hollywood’s top stars doing some good with all their fame, and privilege. I’ve read recently that actress, Sandra Bullock, has been helping and giving generously to the earthquake victims in Haiti. She made a substantial one million dollar donation to the fantastic Doctors Without Borders to help get medical supplies and services into this poor and devastated country. It seems that she’s done generous things like this before – she’s given a million dollars to the American Red Cross post Sept. 11th, another million to the Red Cross after the tsunami in Asia in 2004, a similar amount for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and now again after this recent earthquake in Haiti.

Its also nice to read about how this Texas resident, along with her husband Jesse James, have contributed to life in their adopted hometown of Austin. It just goes to show, that working hard, giving back, being generous and kind, just might be the formula for real success. **Post Script – YOWZA.**

To easily make a $10 dollar donation to the American Red Cross Haitian Relief – text the word Haiti to 90999.

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I recently saw the movie The Hurt Locker and I just can’t seem to shake it. It’s an adrenaline rush of a film that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the moment it starts. Taking place in Iraq, the film tells the story of an elite Army bomb squad unit that enters into unbelievably high risk situations- the levels of tension and anxiety are sometimes hard to bear.

The term “hurt locker” refers to the soldier vernacular ‘to speak of explosions as sending you to the hurt locker‘. This awesome movie has been out for a while and it seems to be on many ‘Best of the Year” lists and its up for a lot of big awards – I highly recommend seeing it.

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During the period of 1929 to 1931, MGM produced a series of “Dogville Shorts” that parodied popular movies of the time using DOGS! Most of the dogs are better dressed than most of my friends, perhaps Hamilton Shirts needs to get into the custom dog shirt business! These shorts are currently playing on the cable network TCM for the next couple days – try and catch them!

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Around the Hamilton offices we are real big fans of the actor Jeff Bridges. From The Last Picture Show, to The Big Lebowski – there is really no movie that he’s done that we don’t love. I recently saw the trailer for his new film called Crazy Heart and it looks to be his best role yet. There has been lots of good press about the movie, with lots of best actor buzz for Mr. Bridges. He’s been nominated four times for an Academy Award and never won, lets hope this is the year he finally nabs one.

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People are always asking us..how do I become a crazed homicidal maniac and still manage to look good? Our advice…just go Psycho. By wearing classic all-American sportswear, you’ll always be appropriate…from a dull day behind a desk, to spending fun nights at home with your mother.

One very good option you might want to try is our classic 1883 oxford in white. Just throw over a stylish black sweater (see below) for those pesky trips down to the chilly basement!

Remember “a boy’s best friend is his mother” so why not try and cultivate a “boy next door” look? With simple oxfords, flat front trousers, and plain crew neck sweaters, you can’t go wrong. No one will suspect your “off hour” dissociative identity disorder when you look this good during the day!

Try wearing a casual sports jacket to the office without a tie..save them for another use! Your casual but natty attire will throw everyone off the trail.

A simple gray cardigan is a very versatile sweater to own. Basic enough to wear with just about anything, and it will let all your different personalities really shine!

Don’t forget…Halloween is this Saturday!

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