With pops first lady of bizarre the indomitable
Lady GaGa returning to the o2 Arena tomorrow for a third time this year, crazy costumes, elaborate set pieces and irritatingly catchy electro/pop beats will once again reign supreme. Whilst GaGa has caused oodles of controversy with a large number of her outfits, theres no denying that her fashion choices are anything less than theatricality at its most elaborate! So when would be a better time to take a look at the bizarre offerings from movieland!? Sometimes they work, sometimes they dont, but below are ten costumes that have caused as much controversy, generated as many sniggers and left equal numbers perplexed as Lady GaGas pyjamas probably do
10. Joan Crawford in LETTY LYNTON (1932)
Ok, so depending on taste this isnt exactly terrible attire, but it is bizarre! Apparently Crawford hated her shoulders, which were very broad and made her look bigger than she really was. Cue legendary MGM costume designer
Adrian, who decided the best way to make the actresss waist look smaller was to exaggerate the shoulders The look became Crawfords signature style and she became a fashion icon during the late 1930s and 40s, with women all over America attempting to emulate the big shoulder look! Whilst this may not be the strangest or most disastrous costume on this list, it did pave the way for shoulder padsand the 1980s which some might say were catastrophic in the fashion stakes? On the other hand however, if you love the look, its a big thank you to Crawfords massive shoulders and Adrians desperate attempts to disguise them whod have thunk itd have taken off so much! Crawford looking every part the virginal, religious beauty who would have thought that those extreme shoulders would prove a fashion revolution?
09. Glenn Close in 101 DALMATIANS (1996)
Perhaps GaGa got some inspiration from the Queen of Evil herself? Complete with crazy, two-tone hair and enough clashing animal print to warrant a zoo, Glenn Closes Cruella De Vil is technically an abomination in fur! Ironically characterised as a fashion designer, the villainesss forward thinking style certainly captures her over the top personality. Throughout the 103 minute runtime Close has no less than 800 costume changes each more bizarre than the last! Brilliantly capturing the cartoon aspects of the character, the contrast between the ordinary characters and the villainy of De Vil is effectively demonstrated through the use of peculiar costumes. Looking every bit the part originally created in the animated film, the role of Cruella De Vil is an interesting sidestep from Closes usual parts. Camping it up beyond belief, Close looks like shes having a ball mental costumes and all!
08. Michael Keaton in BEETLEJUICE (1988)
A
Tim Burton production is never likely to have normal costumes and
Michael Keatons portrayal as crazy bio-exorcist Betelgeuse is enhanced by his outrageous wardrobe. Betelgeuses grotesque body is brilliantly complemented by his garish black and white striped suit. The crazy, dishevelled hair effectively contrasts with the formalness of a suit hes pretty dapper for a dead guy really! The film went on to win an Academy Award for Best Make Up and without a doubt Burton created a unique visual style both in setting and costume. The strange, theatrical costumes and the German Expressionist influenced staging make
Beetlejuice one of Burtons most memorable escapades! If you stare too hard your eyes will go funny.
07. Tim Curry in THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975)
He may feel like a woman, but man, he doesnt look like one!
Tim Currys role of Dr Frank-N-Furter is the subject of grotesquery and bizarreness. However, characterised as a tongue-in-cheek parody of transexuality, Frank-N-Furter is more comedic than threatening. The costume worn by Curry stood out as a provocative and an extreme symbol of alternative sexual identity.
Rocky Horror Picture Show was also controversial for its representation of LGBT symbols, which many mainstream audiences felt uncomfortable acknowledging in the 70s. Rocky Horror effectively used bizarre costumes as one way of illustrating a variety of sexual preference, gender identification and alternative views on sex. Enduring a limited theatrical release for 35 years 20th Century Fox have never pulled it from cinemas! Rocky Horror is quite simply the quintessential cult movie. The costumes worn by the characters have become equally notorious, with devoted fans around the world dressing up for screenings. Rocky Horror definitely proves that the use of out of the ordinary costumes can be highly successful at providing longevity and unfaltering popularity something Lady GaGa is obviously hoping for herself!
06. Joan Crawford in TORCH SONG (1953)
The political incorrectness of blackface was obviously not a big deal back in 1953. What it was though was a travesty especially when the actress concerned is
Joan Crawford! Its certainly one of the most uncomfortable viewing experiences Ive ever had the displeasure of enduring Its weird enough seeing a 48 year old woman with her legs out ok, Ill give her the fact that theyre pretty damn good for her age but seeing them painted up to look African American is just plain wrong! Now, granted this is only a brief stage show respite from the dramatic narrative (maniacal stage bitch falls for soft, blind piano player), however the overtly racist tone of the song and performance, coupled with the sheer oddity of the costume unfortunately make it the most memorable scene in a rather drab narrative. The fact that this was the first film in which audiences had seen Crawford in glorious Technicolor; it was a seriously ridiculous decision on somebodys part! The moment when Crawford rips the black wig off her head to reveal her signature flame-red hair is the most nauseating moment of the sequence: whilst she couldnt pull off the blackface before, she now looks like shes been seriously Tangoed No, just no! Could this be any more wrong!?
05. Elsa Lanchester in BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1935)
Hair Marge Simpson would be proud of! The contrast between the effectiveness of
Boris Karloffs monster costume and that of
Elsa Lanchesters as his bride couldnt be greater! Whilst Karloff looks intimidating, sad and genuinely created from different body parts, Lanchester looks comical, almost a mockery of Karloffs design. The electrified hair is simultaneously ridiculous but celebrated, having become one of the most instantly recognisable dos from film. Despite the crazy hair, harsh make up and being dressed in what looks like a giant sheet, Lanchesters fresh-faced beauty is still visible and the monsters bride is far more attractive than she should be! Despite the more humorous costume choices,
Bride of Frankenstein is still an excellent film that cleverly blends both comedic and horrific elements within its narrative.
04. Bette Davis in WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (1962)
To achieve a creepy look
Bette Davis refused to remove her make up at the end of the day, instead opting to coat her face with a fresh layer everyday. As the make up piled up so did her eerie look. Extremely successful, Davis never looked so creepy or ugly which perfectly mimicked the personality of her Baby Jane character. Wearing adult versions of the costumes that she adorned as a child vaudeville star, her bid to make a comeback is a sorry attempt to recapture the glory of her former stardom. The bizarre costumes and make up help cement the fact that Jane is unhinged to say the least! Looking like a decrepit, insane version of her child self, Baby Janes look is certainly an unforgettable one! Plus, the colourised photos certainly make me glad that the film was in black and white! Just like a creepy corpse
03. Ben Chapman/Ricou Browning in CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954)
This costume may be slightly out there, but lets be honest its for a monster so the costume can be as wacky as the designers imagination! The Gill Man is mysterious, creepy and looks utterly awesomeuntil he walks, that is! As soon as The Gill Man gets on land the stilted movement makes him seem much less threatening and the costume looks that little bit faker. Underwater he looks extremely eerie, probably due to Brownings fantastic acting in his scenes. Following Kay (
Julie Adams) when shes out for a swim the Gill Man is thoroughly threatening and the costume stands up well underwater. Despite the slightly dodgy look on land, this costume remains an awesome credit to its designer. The awkward movements on land can be forgiven for the obvious restrictions the suit must have caused Chapman. As fantastic as this costume is however, its still one of the wackiest to grace the silver screen! Definitely a little fishy!
02. David Bowie in LABYRINTH (1986)
Labyrinth is one of those films that became a staple in all 80s kids lives as popular with this generation as other cult classics like The Goonies (1985) and The Neverending Story (1984). Being an 87 baby, I just missed this wave of movies and when I became old enough to watch them in the early 90s their appeal was slightly lost on me. Whilst Labyrinth is not a terrible film the narrative is solid dreamlike fun that is warmly regarded as one of the better 1980s fantasy films I cant get past
David Bowies utterly ridiculous costume! Even as a young child I didnt find him scary or intimidating, but absurd and laughable instead With a variety of androgynous costumes and overly feminine hair and make up, Bowie just looks weird! Although I understand that Labyrinth is a fantasy film and typical costume choices do not apply, his look does not scream Goblin king to me; in fact he couldnt look less like a goblin if he tried! I guess we have to put it down to the 1980s mixed up view on fashion It may have been the 80s and he may be a music legend but honestly, stealing Tina Turners wig is never acceptable! Neither are ruffles or a sparkly jacket on any man
01. John Travolta in BATTLEFIELD EARTH (2000)
John Travolta has starred in many a classic, but
Battlefield Earth is not one of them. Universally panned, the quirky sci fi narrative was probably defeated by the ridiculous Psychlo (invading alien race) costumes and their over the top leader, Terl (Travolta). He may have been able to pull off platforms and leather (Saturday Night Fever and Grease respectively), but by 2000 he should have realised that his time had passed for these kind of costumes! Travoltas costume makes for extremely uncomfortable viewing particularly the emphasised crotch area and its near impossible to take Terl seriously as the leader of an intelligent, seductive and powerful leader of a maniacal alien race Whilst the narrative is full of campy, tongue in cheek dialogue, the premise itself is not an entirely ridiculous concept in fact its pretty common sci fi fare: humanity is overtaken by alien race, humanity fights back. However, Battlefield Earth remains the definitive example of how wacky costumes can cement a films failure. Had the Psychlos looked slightly more alien, rather than big haired, leather clad weirdos, Battlefield Earth may have stood a slight chance? Oh, and dont get me started on
Forrest Whittaker - Tyra Banks called, she wants her weave back! This is possibly the most disturbing costume EVER worn! Dodgy dreads, sausage fingers and emphasised-WAY-too-much package = vomit If you want to dress like the stars, we've been given a
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