Who was Orry-Kelly? The name is forgotten but he was the King of Hollywood costumes from the 1930's to the early 1960's and was Australia's first Hollywood Star.
Kelly had a secret long-term relationship with Archie Leach (aka Cary Grant) before even moving to Hollywood and garnered 3 Oscars for his designs for An American in Paris, Les Girls, and Some Like It Hot.
Now, his life and work can finally celebrated in the DVD release of Women He's Undressed. It is more than a documentary, it is part narrative as Orry (played very campy by Aussie, Darren Gilshenan) as well as some great interviews from Jane Fonda, Angela Lansbury, Scotty Bowers (At your Service) and Gay Hollywood expert, William Mann (Wisecracker).
I had a chance to chat with the director, Gillian Armstrong about her film and legacy of Orry-Kelly.
MK SCOTT: Gillian, you are a director and producer based in Australia, who has directed a FAB doc, Women he's undressed, on the infamous Oscar-winning Hollywood Costume designer, Orry-Kelly. What drove you to his story, besides him also being Australian?
GILLIAN: My producer approached me and I had no idea who he was and then I learned what films he did the costumes for and then (of course) finding out he came from a small town in (Kiama) Australia and I was interested on how he got to Hollywood.
MK: Orry had quite a resume from designing iconic costumes from Iconic films, from An American in Paris, Gypsy, 42nd Street, The Maltese Falcon, Casablanca, Arsenic and Old Lace, Harvey, Oklahoma!, Auntie Mame, and Some Like It Hot. What was his favorite?
GILLIAN: That was a challenge without Orry (himself, who died from liver cancer in 1964) and just a handful of people that actually knew him personally still being alive was a challenge. We only found that Orry had an (unpublished) autobiography later.
GILLIAN: Bette Davis and Orry spoke warmly each other (in both of their books) and as an actor understood Bette's approach on character. Both Ingrid Bergman and Kay Francis were also Favorites. (Surprisingly) Marilyn Monroe was Not a Favorite (Tony Curtis had a better ass). The film is really all about Art of Costume Design of going from glamorous to plain to Glamorous.
MK: In the film, besides, Kelly being an alcoholic, you also address about his sexuality as well as a rumored relationship with Cary Grant, were there others?
GILLIAN: Orry was quite open and wasn't afraid to stay single, but as most men (in Homophobic Hollywood) back then he drank and partied and working for a very homophobic industry and the the film is really about their love story and yes, there were other relationships with men. (See the Film.) I also dedicate the film to my gay friend, Stu.
MK: What are you currently working on?
GILLIAN: I have 2 film projects that I am working on. Nothing I could divulge at this time.
WOMEN HE'S UNDRESSED releases August 9th across all digital platforms including iTunes, Vimeo On Demand, and WolfeOnDemand.com, and will also be available on DVD via Wolfe Video and many major retailers.
No comments:
Post a Comment