#The Robe

[itssteffnow]

Just a little glimpse

[liltaireissocute]

🍑version is on twitter (you know what that means)

[citizenscreen]

Henry Koster’s THE ROBE premiered in New York City on September 16, 1953, introducing the revolutionary CinemaScope to the screen.

[cressida-jayoungr]

One Dress a Day Challenge

November: Oscar winners

The Robe / Jean Simmons as Diana

Year: 1953

Designers: Charles LeMaire and Emile Santiago

I'm impressed that they managed to avoid the "bullet bra" silhouette, which was all the rage at the time. I also like the edging on the soft yellow dress; it creates a pleasing effect when the draped layers overlap.

My family used to jokingly refer to this movie as The Robe that Ate Richard Burton. It seemed a bit overwrought on our small TV. It must have been quite a spectacle on the big screen, though.

[silentagecinema]

the robe (1953) directed by henry koster

"You're afraid, but you really don't know the reason why. You think it's his robe that made you ill. But it's your own conscience, your own decent shame. Even when you crucified him you felt it."

[fathercharlesoffdensen]

Father Offdensen feat. The Robe - stay tuned for The Medallion aka The Pointy Doodad sculpted masterfully from Crayola Model Magic Clay! Special Feature: Nathan's face at Charles' faux funeral is heartbreaking - he looks so lost without his manager.

[burtonandtaylor]

Richard Burton as Marcellus Gallio in “The Robe,” 1956.

[heythereimashley]

hiiiiiiiiii

[not-so-allegiant-general]

Poe went undercover as a tailor. In the salon that specialize in sewing FO uniforms for high ranking officers who wanted to have a little better quality than what's issued but still within regulation. So now main interest of the Resistance is destroying FO uniforms. They have no luck so far as officers usually send requests through holonet or droids. Until they destroyed whole wardrobe of General Hux.

Hux just stormed into salon, furious and irritated that he had to change his schedule. Ignored the receptionist and opened a fitting room. He stood abruptly seeing Poe. Dameron froze thinking he was recognized.

"You are new here" hux huffed annoyed. And Poe breathed out.

"Yeah. I am. What do you need, sir? Maybe something to drink first?"

"No. I don't have much time." Hux gave him his customer card and sat down on the couch. " My order is on the card. Full set."

"Of course. Full set? Was there something wrong with your previous order?"

"No it was perfectly acceptable. Unitil some karking Resistance scum decided to blow it up " Hux hissed. Poe turned around to face the screen just to cover his smirk.

"That's awful"

" It is! Outrageous!" Hux seems to miss the sarcasm that Poe failed to cover.

"Some time ago they wouldn't dare to get so close to a Star Destroyer huh?"

"I am not discussing First Order technology, tactic, movement or plans with you"

"Huh." And Poe though that he was subtle "calm down it was a small talk..."

"You are not paid for talking."

"Right. So. Full set. Just to confirm. It's ten standard uniforms, seven casual thingies, two great coats, two fancy fancy uniforms, bunch of gym sets and...

"How did you get a job here?"

"And a... Robe?" He raised his eyes to meet Hux's glare.

"Yes. A silk one. Actually could you put it on the display?"

"Yeah... " But should i? He though, pressing the screen. A holo robe appeared in the middle of the room.

"I would need one just like that and one shorter."

"How short?" Poe asked automatically his mind blank as he stared at a v-neckline.

"An inch from being inappropriate" Dameron blinked looking at Hux. He cleared his throat modifying the robe in the programme. "Yes. Like that."

"Yeah. Alright so... Two robes. Um it will be ready in two days and would you like it to be sent or you will pick it up?"

"Send it. I don't have time. I am here personally because we were close. Its much more convenient to jump to Hosnian system from here" He stood up. Poe looked at him. To... Hosnian?

"For your effort. " Hux put credits into his hand "But Dameron do not buy weapon for Resistance with these. It would made me look bad" he smirked and headed to the exit leaving Poe alone, confused and not well.

Then he saw a data stick among credits and his heart skipped a beat.

"Kiffing hell " he mutered.

[tomoleary]

Dean Cornwell (1892-1960) “The Fight At Minowa” The Robe (1947) Source

Dean Cornwell (1892-1960) “Pontius Pilate's Banquet” The Robe (1947) Source

Dean Cornwell (1892-1960) “Marcellus and Diana before Caligula” The Robe (1947) Source

[braverytattoos]

I- I- I don’t- I’m….yea this is personal to me

[givefangapuppy]

The Robe

I've been thinking about the things it's paired with and what they mean.

When we see it at the beginning of ep 7, it's part of a morning ritual for Stede, bringing Ed his tea and having a chat - this seems to be first thing in the morning, maybe pre-breakfast? So you could be forgiven for assuming that Stede is just wandering around in his nightclothes. But he isn't. This is a carefully put together outfit, with a flattering, tucked in shirt and formal pants. He's even done his hair, but consciously NOT fully dressed for the day. This is a choice he's made because he knows he looks good - and, crucially, because he wants (consciously or not) to express his happiness through his clothes (see David's tweet from ages ago on how the robe in its first appearance is about how Ed has literally brought colour into Stede's life).

We can contrast this with ep 8, where it's paired with actual nightclothes and mussed hair, because Stede was caught unawares by the early morning destruction of his antique armoire - and later, because he has to quickly march out to the deck to put a stop to Jack. There have been other great posts about how wonderful it is that when Stede is at his strongest and most Captainly, defending his crew and giving Jack the boot, he's dressed in this very effeminate (to modern eyes) way, the very same way he was dressed when Jack greeted him with "who's the big gal?" that morning. I think we can take that a step further and talk about how there's a layer to this scene about being SEEN - Stede, in this robe, in these bright colours and in the vulnerability of nightclothes, but also in the strength of his conviction, is more himself than he's even been thus far - and that's because of Ed seeing him. To pair that with Ed's "you were always going to see what I am" is not only devastating, but is also an indicator of the different stages of the self acceptance and self expression journeys that they're on.

It's also worth noting that Stede is still wearing the robe when he's obsessing all night about Jack and Ed - it's still a symbol here of authenticity, of his true feelings - but maybe also a way to cling to the happy domesticity it represented until just the day before?

And, of course, the last time we see the robe is when Ed wears it. It's pretty key that he's both shirtless and wearing what seem to be the khaki military pants under it (correct me if needed but they're the only thing that makes sense to me?) - he's stripped bare, wearing only items that connect him to Stede. One item that's all about them being together (the pants) and another that's infused with all this symbolism of Stede's authenticity, happiness, and strength. Going straight from this outfit to the darkest, most covered up (the gloves, the makeup), most over-the-top, costumey Blackbeard getup yet - and taking the time in such a packed episode to take us through the dressing montage - is a deeply significant transition, Ed's retreat from both Stede and self expression all the way back into the darkest corner of the Blackbeard persona, so far as to almost become the illustrated caricature he bemoans in ep 4.

[scribl1ta]

Dean Cornwell's illustrations for The Robe novel by Lloyd C. Douglas

More info and sources below the cut

Although I haven't read the novel, the more famous film adaptation is one of my favorite Biblical movies to come from the 50s. It also received a spinoff sequel, Demetrius and the Gladiators. Jay Robinson chews as Caligula in both films, and Jean Simmons is stunning as Diana. I think Cornwell's illustrations are very cinematic; yet bright, sharp, and colorful in a way that only painting can be. It's a really amazing combination of pop culture and "fine arts." You can watch a short video of his process for these paintings below.

Image sources I II III IV V VI

[citizenscreen]

“The first motion picture in CinemaScope--the modern miracle you see without glasses!”

Henry Koster’s THE ROBE enjoyed its world premiere in New York City 70 years ago today. #OnThisDay in 1953.

[buckaroo627]

Ryan Guzman Instagram Story: Don Diaz

[pulpsandcomics2]

The Robe (1953)