Film&Fashion Fridays: Leave Her to Heaven

Leave Her to Heaven is one of those classics that needs no further introduction- every single shot is perfectly composed with somptuous decor and envy worthy costumes. Not to mention the rich, saturated Technicolor hues!

As mentioned in my previous post, this movie is a unique blend of film noir and melodrama - something like a cross between Double Indemnity and All that Heaven Allows, but that would be an understatement of its dramatic genious. It's no surprise that John M. Stahl directed the original Imitation of Life in the 1934.

There's jealously, travels, breathtaking mountain scenery and just well...too much love. And murder.

The costumes were designed by the legendary Oleg Cassini, which would explain why Gene Tierney looks so impossibly stylish both in a night gown, a bath robe or a wide-legged pantsuit. Or that's just Gene Tierney and her amazing looks.

I was lucky enough to see a print of it at the Cinematheque a few years back, but the new Blu Ray releases look pretty great also.

But seriously - this is an absolute must for any vintage and/or cinema lover!

Leave Her to Heaven

... probably the most amazing 1940s dress I have ever come across.

It's been in my closet for a few years now, but for some reason it just doesn't feel completely right on me - I think it might be because it keeps falling off my shoulders.

Having styled it with my little 1930s boater hat and Swedish Hasbeens clogs, I feel a little sad to let it go but at the same time you shouldn't hold on to beautiful things you can't use, right?

I think it is only worthy of the comparison to one of the strangest and most amazing 1940s melodrama (one could argue it is a color film noir) Leave Her to Heaven - an iconoclastic classic starring the breathtakingly gorgeous Gene Tierney.

 It's a tragic love story involving sister rivalry, horseback riding in Mexico, a mountain lake cabin, gardening and um...murder. Like, you know - one of those things you just HAVE TO see. Not to mention the most rich, saturated Technicolor tones out there. Might actually write about it this Friday- I miss doing those cinema posts.

Until then, you can watch the trailer in order t tie you over.


This little vintage gem is now in the shop.