Fashions of 1934

Nearly an hour into the picture and finally the big (and only) Busby Berkeley number, Verree Teasdale’s song, by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal, introduces a feather and fashion-based production, gowns per usual by Orry-Kelly, in Warner Bros.’ Fashions Of 1934, 1934, starring William Powell and Bette Davis.

Frank McHugh as Snap is sidekick to William Powell as broke investor Nash, conniving with models (Dorothy Burgess as Glenda) and new-recruit fashion artist Lynn (Bette Davis) to photograph then counterfeit the latest Paris designs, delivered by chauffeur Harry (Gordon Westcott) en route to New York couture houses, in Fashions Of 1934, 1934.

Broke investor turned fashion scam artist “Sherry” Nash (William Powell), with his team (Frank McHugh as Snap, Bette Davis as Lynn), has persuaded the New York designers he was ripping-off to send him to Paris to steal fashions, but they meet former partners Glenda and Harry (Dorothy Burgess, Gordon Westcott) at the docks, in Fashions Of 1934, 1934.

Now in Paris, posing as society types but really stealing haute-couture designs, Bette Davis (who hated the movie and her role but must have loved her co-star!) as designer/artist Lynn and William Powell as “Sherry,” (with partner Frank McHugh playing his driver) finally get good news from New York, in Fashions Of 1934, 1934.

Clever opening, William Dieterle directing from a story and screenplay credited to Harry Collins, Warren Duff, Hugh Herbert and Carl Erickson, introducing William Powell who’s running a scam, Frank McHugh his sidekick, Dorothy Burgess the snarky gal-pal and Bette Davis, in a platinum wig, the unexpected inspiration, in Fashions Of 1934, 1934.

Con artist William Powell and his beautiful assistant Bette Davis take on the Fashions of 1934 (1934) with musical numbers by Busby Berkeley.