Awards Watch: Costume Dramas Edition

The Costume Designers Guild handed out their awards last night, and the Oscar frontrunner, Michael O'Connor's lush designs for The Duchess, won in the period film category. Lindy Hemming's redesign of the Batman costume (complete with what looked like a giant black olive encasing Christian Bale's head) won for fantasy, while the rags-to-riches threads of Suttirat Larlarb won yet another trophy for Slumdog Millionaire.

This win proves that Slumdog is truly unstoppable, as it beat out Robert Downey Jr. in a tux (not mention battle armor), Meryl Streep in overalls, Mickey Rourke in a unitard and Sarah Jessica Parker, Miss Fashionista Carrie Bradshaw herself, in a wedding dress. Maybe it was Freida Pinto's lemon yellow scarf that cinched the deal ...

Awards Watch: Cut and Paste

The Sex and the City gals have been pretty absent from the film awards race so far this year; even the Golden Globes overlooked them after showering the original show with eight trophies, half of which went to Sarah Jessica Parker alone.

Well, leave it to fashion to end that dry spell, as the Costume Designers Guild has nominated Patricia Field's designer duds from the Sex movie for their awards in the "Contemporary" category, which also includes Iron Man and Mamma Mia! Other nominees include Changeling and Milk among the "Period" nominees, while Batman competes with Prince Caspian for "Fantasy" honors. The 11th Annual CDG Awards will be presented February 17.

And in more awards news this week, the America Cinema Editors announced their nominees in three film categories. Contenders include The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Slumdog Millionaire, Tropic Thunder, WALL-E and Man on Wire. The 59th Annual "Eddie" Awards will be handed out on February 15.

For a quick look at all the film nominees from both guilds, see the comments section below.

Costume Dramas: Kevin Bacon's Tank Top

As Footloose's Ren McCormack, Kevin Bacon sports the requisite ensemble of a rebel with a cause (and that cause be dancin'). Attired in his skintight wife beater and pair of old denims (I see you dress to the right, Mr. Bacon), Ren is always ready to kick off his Sunday shoes.

And you can too with these two bonus videos: How do you like your "Footloose"? If it's macho and manly with a country western flair, then here's the DC Cowboys on America's Got Talent (just ignore that bitch Piers Morgan comments). Or, if you prefer glitzy and girly with a Vegas twist, then here's the one and only Mary Hart on Dolly Parton's variety show, circa 1988.

Go on and cut loose!

Summer Under the Stars: Anne Bancroft

Movie Dearest continues our daily previews of Turner Classic Movies' month long "Summer Under the Stars" celebration:

Now Playing Star Profile for Anne Bancroft - Stardates: Born September 17, 1931, Bronx, New York; died 2005. Star Sign: Virgo. Star Qualities: Rich voice, dramatic intensity, unexpected flair for comedy. Star definition: "A beautiful and talented woman who can lift your spirits just by looking at you." -- Mel Brooks. Galaxy of Characters: Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker, Jo Armitage in The Pumpkin Eater, Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate, Mother Miriam Ruth in Agnes of God.

Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson. Bancroft boldly embodied middle class ennui in this controversial classic, and wore perhaps the most famous lingerie on film while doing so. In her various ensembles of seduction, ranging from predatory leopard prints to basic black, Dustin Hoffman's hapless Benjamin Braddock didn't stand a chance. Koo-koo-ka-choo, indeed.

The Graduate airs tomorrow on TCM at 10:00 PM EST.

Costume Dramas: The Ruby Slippers

Dorothy's magical slippers in The Wizard of Oz already got a makeover once. Originally, the shoes that Judy Garland was to wear in her iconic role were going to be silver, as in the original L. Frank Baum story. However, once MGM head honcho Louis B. Mayer realized that they would look better in Technicolor, they became ruby. And a legend was born.

Now that legend is getting a new look, courtesy of the trendiest footwear designers this side of Carrie Bradshaw's shoe rack.

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz next year, Warner Brothers is gearing up for a special promotion in honor of the occasion. Twenty different redesigns of the classic clogs will be created and tour fashion shows around the country prior to being auctioned off next fall to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Designers working on the project include Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, Oscar de la Renta and Diane Von Furstenberg.

Costume Dramas: Spectrespecs!

About a year ago, I had this to say about Evanna Lynch's Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: "Luna is very loopy and kinda spacey, but she sure holds her own with a wand".

Well, she'll be back in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (in theaters November 21) and, as you can see here, she's as fabulous as ever, sporting some magical eyewear called "Spectrespecs". I have no idea what they do, but if anyone can pull them off, Luna can.

Costume Dramas: The Red Jacket

Has there ever been more of an iconic image for cinematic restless youth then the signature red jacket worn by James Dean as Jim Stark in Rebel Without a Cause?

From The Wild One to Grease to Happy Days, leather jackets may be the more common costume of choice as a symbol of 50's cool, but none are as striking ... or as memorable ... as this scarlet symbol of teen angst.

Costume Dramas: Barbarella Psychadella

As you can see here, Rose McGowan has big, uh ... plastic boob holders? ... to fill when she takes over for Jane Fonda in the planned remake of the 60's sci fi sextravaganza Barbarella.

And is it just me, or does Jane look like an Oompa Loompa in this picture?

Costume Dramas: Audrey Hepburn Edition

Welcome to Costume Dramas, an occasional feature spotlighting memorable movie costumes. And who better to spotlight first then the best dressed woman in cinematic history, Audrey Hepburn.

Has there ever been, before or since, an actress that was as effortlessly glamorous as Audrey? From the legendary black dress of her Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's to the flower girl gone upper crust stylings of her Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, her classic look has made her a fashion icon for the ages. No wonder the Gap used her Funny Face image to hawk their unworthy wares in an infamous commercial. Heck, she even made a habit look good in The Nun's Story.

Of course, Audrey merely wore the clothes; but the designers behind them were amply rewarded beyond that honor: six of her films were nominated for Best Costume Design, with three ultimately winning the Oscar.