Bob Mackie is an acclaimed fashion designer and costumier who has worked with icons such as Liza Minnelli, RuPaul, Diana Ross, and Barbra Streisand. His new book, The Art of Bob Mackie, is in stores now.
What was the first movie you fell in love with?
Meet Me in St. Louis! I was only 5 years old. My Mother and sister Pat and I rode the Red Streetcar from Alhambra all the way to downtown Los Angeles. The movie is about a large Family at the Turn of the Century who were spending a year planning to attend the World’s Fair. All the way home I asked my Mother dozens of questions about what we had just seen! The costumes, The hats, the Dog! Why did their Grandfather live with them? And they had a whole year of Holidays too! This movie still resonates.
What artist or figure has been most influential in your life?
Betty Grable and Carmen Miranda—they looked like no woman I had ever seen. The Colors, The Clothes, the Hats! No ladies on my street looked like that then or since. These ladies opened up a whole new realm of possibility for me.
What is one skill people would be surprised to know you have?
I have a pretty good memory, I remember things from way back—like my 4th Birthday party; my neighbor Annette Shumann came dressed in a nurse’s uniform—like many little girls did then--and I had just seen the movie, Anchors Aweigh and was wishing I had a sailor suit like Dean Stockwell!
What is the first thing you do in the morning?
I find my newspaper in the yard, fix coffee and then eat!
How do you relax during stressful times?
I turn on Turner Classic Movies and see what’s playing!
What is your favorite movie moment?
American in Paris—The BALLET—it knocked me right out of my chair! The way those costumes were designed so perfectly with the dances. And I learned that there was more than one costume designer on this film. Irene Sharraff designed the ballet and some of Leslie Caron dancing moments. Walter Plunkett did the Black and White Art Student’s Ballet and Orry Kelly designed the rest of the movie. This film convinced me, at a very young age, that I should be a costume designer.
Which movie do you watch when you need to escape?
Technicolor adventure movies—Pirates or Arabian Nights! Pure entertainment and escape. The Pirate (even though it was a flop!) or The Thief of Bagdad. These films were made up of mostly character actors, save for the leading romantic couple, and I always enjoyed that.
What’s your perfect double feature?
Funny Face and Now Voyager—or ANY movie with Bette Davis
What’s one movie you enjoy watching with your friends/family?
The Harvey Girls—my Mom had to explain that the ladies were “waitresses”, but I LOVE the 19-year-old Angela Lansbury playing the Madame. I would later always recollect how glamorous she was in this film.
What movie would you describe as “perfect” in every way?
Singin’ in the Rain. The perfect musical comedy. It is funny, beautifully staged, and cleverly written. I also loved that it was supposed to be Judy Holiday playing the dim-witted and gorgeous, silent film star, Lena Lamont, and ended up being Jean Hagen, who couldn’t have been more perfect or beautiful!
What is the one movie you would recommend to someone to get them started on their journey into classics?
Any of the Mankiewicz Movies! Letter To Three Wives, All About Eve, Philadelphia Story, Woman of The Year—they are so entertaining!
What was the last film that made you cry or laugh?
The Best Years of Our Lives. People had just come back from the war. The whole film was so emotional. Myrna Loy and Frederich March were so believable and brilliant.
What movie have you watched so often that you can quote it?
I am not a big film quoter, but I always love Bette Davis’ line in Now, Voyager: “Oh Jerry, Don’t let’s ask for the moon, we have the stars,” because it says so much about life, so simply—let’s just enjoy it!
If you could watch any movie with someone living or dead, whom would it be and what movie?
Robert Osborne! Any MOVIE! Our mutual friend, Toni Kaye, would throw a party at her house and he would be there and show fantastic film clips that included behind the scenes and back-stories concerning the making of the films. He was so fascinating and knowledgeable. He knew many of the actors and actresses in these films, and would sometimes include them, because they were his friends. I miss him.
