A fabulous and glamorous documentary about the life of one of the most excellent costume designers of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
It is a milestone for everybody involved in fashion, costumes, and moviemaking.
“Women He’s Undressed” is a personal outlook on the life, creations, and romance of the legendary Academy Award winner Australian costume designer Orry-Kelly (“Some Like It Hot,” “Casablanca,” “An American in Paris”).
“Women He’s Undressed” is a well-researched documentary with immense material that no one ever imagined existed. It contains plenty of fantastic footage of many of the films Orry-Kelly worked on designing clothes for the biggest movie starts and mesmerizing audiences worldwide.
During Hollywood’s Golden Age, Orry-Kelly designed clothes for more than 282 movies. “Nothing makes you a better designer than practice.”
The interviews with directors, historians, celebrities, collectors, and close friends were well-staged. They remember Kelly’s work, talent, and friendship with admiration and high appreciation.
This documentary focused heavily on the dirt of the designer’s private life. At the time, it could have been an epic scandal. But how could he have a formal relationship or intimacy with someone when working on a set sixteen hours a day, 50 movies a year?
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| Director Gillian Armstrong. Photo by Tim Baure |
Despite Orry-Kelly’s controversial life, director Gillian Armstrong kept it classy.
Orry-Kelly dressed and undressed many actors and actresses, including Dolores Del Rio, Marilyn Monroe, Betty Davis, Ingrid Bergman, Betty Grable, Ava Garner, Loretta Young, Angela Lansbury, Natalie Wood, and Jane Fonda.
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| Photo courtesy of Wolfe Video |
“Orry-Kelly was one of the greatest costume designers of all time.” He studied the stars’ anatomy, making them look striking by accentuating their best features with glamorous results.
Most of the wardrobe Kelly designed for the movies was in sharp colors, even if the film was in black and white. This is true of “Jezebel” and the famous dress that Bette Davis wore, which emulated the “red dress” of “Gone with the Wind.” People assured me the dress looked in color.
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| Photo courtesy of Wolfe Video |
Kelly's genius vision was so effective in telling the story that the wardrobe worn by the stars added authenticity and facilitated the film’s success.
When his popularity skyrocketed, Kelly became a close friend to many stars.
Kelly’s designs were elegant, classy, stunning, and minimalist, like those in the classic Western Oklahoma!
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| Veda Ann Borg and Orry-Kelly, CA 1937 |
Some of the dresses Kelly designed for Hollywood’s classics are now part of private collections and museums. Others auctioned for thousands of dollars.
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| Photo courtesy of Wolfe Video |
Orry-Kelly’s life became controversial when rumors about his affair with one of the most well-known Hollywood actors surfaced.
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| “Women He’s Undressed,” Orry-Kelly’s funeral cortege. Photo Prudence Upton |
“He kept his secret to his grave, even though he had a big mouth.”
As a writer, – Orry-Kelly’s book was never published, and the manuscript got lost. Witnesses said Orry wrote in detail the most intimate moments with the love of his life, Cary Grant.
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| Darren Gilshenan playing Orry-Kelly with the Warner Bros. sign. Photo Prudence Upton |
In the beginning, being gay in Hollywood was not a big deal. In 1930, things changed with the enforcement of the conservative Motion Picture Production Code, which affected everyone in the industry.
When Cary Grant became more famous, married, and divorced – Orry and Cary had an “on and off” relationship.
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| Key Francis, Photo courtesy of Wolfe Video |
Orry-Kelly was sent to WWII to fight for America, even though he was born in Australia. Upon his return, he had to start over and knock on doors in Hollywood.
Being alone helped Kelly create his best designs for many classic films, including Harvey, An American in Paris, Auntie Mame, The Sweet Bird of Youth, Gypsy, and Irma la Douce.
“Woman He’s Undressed” is a docu-fiction piece that recreates some intimate scenes connecting important moments of Orry-Kelly’s life as if he were still alive.
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| Photo courtesy of Wolfe Video |
The reconstruction was done by professional actors who revealed what could happen to Kelly’s mom and friends. This technique moved the narrative forward, making the documentary more accessible and entertaining.
Paradoxically, Orry-Kelly was a total unknown in his homeland, Australia. The only person who remembered him was his mother.
“Woman He’s Undressed” is comparable with other great films about fashion and filmmakers, such as ‘The September Issue,” “Valentino, the Last Emperor,” “The Celluloid Closet,” and “The Kid Stays in the Picture.”
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| Director Gillian Armstrong with Actor Jane Fonda. Photo Anna Howard |
Director Gillian Armstrong's meticulous work shows Orry-Kelly as a beautiful human being with vitality and vulnerability.
No matter what, Kelly’s spirit was never broken.
No matter what, Kelly’s spirit was never broken.
“Women He’s Undressed” points out Kelly’s legacy as a fundamental part of moviemaking in the Golden Age of Hollywood.
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| Outfest 2016, photo by Jose A Hermosillo. Copyrights Festival in LA, 2016 |
“Women He’s Undressed” was one of the best films played in OUTFEST 2016!!!
“Women He’s Undressed” is an extraordinary work of art that can be used as a learning tool to appreciate costume designers’ work in the film industry for future generations.
“Women He’s Undressed” is an extraordinary work of art that can be used as a learning tool to appreciate costume designers’ work in the film industry for future generations.
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