Truth vs. Fiction: The Bank-Robbing Style of Warren Oates as Dillinger

A very Dillinger-esque Warren Oates as John Dillinger, leaving a South Bend bank job in 1973's Dillinger.

Warren Oates as John Dillinger, leaving a South Bend bank job in 1973’s Dillinger.

Vitals

Warren Oates as John Dillinger, Depression-era bank robber and “super gang” leader

Indiana, Fall 1933

Film: Dillinger
Release Date: July 20, 1973
Director: John Milius
Costume Designer: James M. George

Background

Eighty years ago today in East Chicago, Indiana, 43-year-old ECPD patrolman William Patrick O’Malley responded to a call concerning the robbery of the First National Bank. Without hesitation, O’Malley showed up at the scene, unaware that he would be going up against John Dillinger, the Indiana bandit who would soon become famous as the first national Public Enemy #1. Continue reading →

Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison

Cash at Folsom, 1968.

Johnny Cash at Folsom, 1968. Photographed by Jim Marshall.

Vitals

Johnny Cash, badass country rock musician (later played by Joaquin Phoenix in 2005’s Walk the Line)

Folsom, CA, January 1968

Background

46 years ago today, Johnny Cash made music history by recording a live album from inside the walls of Folsom State Prison. Although he wrote the song “Folsom Prison Blues” while serving in the Air Force in the early ’50s, it wasn’t until fifteen years later that he actually performed at the titular prison. Many don’t know that he had performed in prisons before, beginning with gigs at Huntsville State Prison in 1957 and at San Quentin on New Year’s Day 1958, but At Folsom Prison was the first album Cash released that was actually recorded from a live prison concert. By the time of his Folsom gig, he had actually served some jail time. Continue reading →

Sherlock Holmes’ Black Frock Coat

Robert Downey, Jr. as Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock Holmes (2009).

Robert Downey, Jr. as Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock Holmes (2009).

Vitals

Robert Downey, Jr. as Sherlock Holmes, eccentric consulting detective

London, November 1890

Film: Sherlock Holmes
Release Date: December 25, 2009
Director: Guy Ritchie
Costume Designer: Jenny Beavan

Background

Announcement of the 2009 update of Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary detective, Sherlock Holmes, met with some initial criticism. Many believed that the action-oriented director Guy Ritchie would dumb down the flawed but efficient genius of Doyle’s stories and instead focus on action and box office draws. However, the smartly-paced story, the excellent performances (notable Downey, Jr. as Holmes), and the era-evoking visuals surprised many and the film received mostly positive reviews and critical attention, with a sequel, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, released two years later. Continue reading →

Paul Newman’s Black Tie in The Sting

Paul Newman as Henry Gondorff in The Sting (1973).

Paul Newman as Henry Gondorff in The Sting (1973).

Vitals

Paul Newman as Henry Gondorff, Chicago con artist posing as a betting parlor operator

Chicago, September 1936

Film: The Sting
Release Date: December 25, 1973
Director: George Roy Hill
Costume Designer: Edith Head

Background

It’s been almost a year since I’ve covered the classy Henry Gondorff, played by Paul Newman in 1973’s The Sting, so what would be more appropriate for New Year’s Eve than to break down Gondorff in black tie. Continue reading →

Bruce Willis in Die Hard 2

Bruce Willis as John McClane in Die Hard 2 (1990)

Bruce Willis as John McClane in Die Hard 2 (1990)

Merry Christmas from BAMF Style to you and yours!

Vitals

Bruce Willis as John McClane, LAPD detective lieutenant

Washington, D.C., Christmas 1990

Film: Die Hard 2: Die Harder
Release Date: July 4, 1990
Director: Renny Harlin
Costume Designer: Marilyn Vance
Bruce Willis’ Key Costumer: Charles Mercuri

Background

One of the complaints about the Die Hard series is that there’s no way the same thing can keep happening to the one guy in the world who’s able to save it. Of course, these sort of complaints mostly started cropping up after the fourth installment in 2007 where John McClane literally saved the world. Prior to that, he’d saved about 30 lives in an office building, a few hundred in airplanes, and the population of New York City. Okay, so the scale kept getting bigger, but at least then he had a reason for being around. It’s even lampshaded in Die Hard 2 when McClane rants to himself:

Oh man, I can’t fucking believe this. Another basement, another elevator. How can the same shit happen to the same guy twice?

Continue reading →

Hitman: Agent 47

Timothy Olyphant as the titular Agent 47 in Hitman (2007).

Timothy Olyphant as the titular Agent 47 in Hitman (2007).

Vitals

Timothy Olyphant as Agent 47, freelance hitman

Turkey, Fall 2007

Film: Hitman
Release Date: November 21, 2007
Director: Xavier Gens
Costume Designer: Olivier Bériot
Timothy Olyphant’s Personal Dresser: Anna Gelinova

Background

A black suit is typically acceptable for funerals and special occasions. These occasions may include a wedding, a semi-formal evening event, or being a badass. 47 would fit into the latter category here. However, being as it’s nearly Christmas, 47’s black suit and red tie would be the perfect attire for a holiday gathering. It would be even more perfect if you have to cut the holiday gathering short to go assassinate a few bad guys, but that might dampen your senile aunt’s holiday spirit.

Many would agree that, especially in the age of Hawaiian-shirted heroes in the Grand Theft Auto series, Hitman‘s Agent 47 has always remained one of the best-dressed video game characters. Continue reading →

Don Draper Test Drives a Jaguar in “Christmas Waltz”

Jon Hamm as Don Draper on Mad Men, episode 5.10: "The Christmas Waltz".

Jon Hamm as Don Draper on Mad Men, episode 5.10: “Christmas Waltz”.

Vitals

Jon Hamm as Don Draper, increasingly disgruntled Manhattan ad exec

New York City, Christmas 1966

Series: Mad Men
Episode: “Christmas Waltz” (Episode 5.10)
Air Date: May 20, 2012
Director: Michael Uppendahl
Costume Designer: Janie Bryant

Background

Ah, did I hold my breath during this episode or what? Admittedly, I’m not much of a fiction “shipper”; I don’t care either way if characters get together on screen, but toying with the idea of having Don and Joan begin an affair was thrilling. It turned out for the best as they both left the bar without consummating their brief but clever flirtations, but I know I’m not the only Mad Men fan who was hoping for at least a drunken makeout between the two.

Anyway, drunken make outs aren’t what Car Week is all about. This week is wrapping up with a post that ties in the recent theme of cars and the upcoming Christmas holiday. In “The Christmas Waltz”, the tenth episode of Mad Men‘s fifth season, our beloved Joan Harris (neé Holloway) has just received divorce papers from her jerk of a husband. She reacts like any of us would, throwing a model of an airplane at the office receptionist, but—luckily for her—Don Draper shows up to the rescue. After a few reassuring words in Jon Hamm’s voice, Don drapes his overcoat around Joan’s shoulders and leads her out to lunch. Continue reading →

Bonnie and Clyde (1967): Clyde Barrow’s Death Car and Attire

Warren Beatty as Clyde Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde.

Warren Beatty as Clyde Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde (1967).

Vitals

Warren Beatty as Clyde Barrow, slightly incompetent bank robber

Rural Louisiana, May 1934

Film: Bonnie & Clyde
Release Date: August 13, 1967
Director: Arthur Penn
Costume Designer: Theadora Van Runkle

Background

The sun was shining brightly on a rural road in Bienville Parish, Louisiana on Wednesday, May 23, 1934. An old Ford Model A truck idled by the side of the road. Hidden in the bushes by the side of the road, six lawmen sat in wait, armed with heavy duty Colt Monitors and Remington hunting rifles. They’d been there all night, sacrificing their skin for the many hungry insects in the woods. By dawn, they’d waited long enough. Tired, hungry, and dirty, the men planned to head back to their motel rooms after another half hour. Almost at that same time, the unmistakable sound of a Ford V8 engine was heard up the road. Continue reading →

Henry Hill’s Cadillac – May 11, 1980

Ray Liotta as Henry Hill in Goodfellas (1990)

Ray Liotta as Henry Hill in Goodfellas (1990)

Vitals

Ray Liotta as Henry Hill, coked out Mafia associate

Long Island, NY, Spring 1980

Film: Goodfellas
Release Date: September 19, 1990
Director: Martin Scorsese
Costume Designer: Richard Bruno

Background

First things first, the scene is actually set on Sunday, April 27, 1980. For some reason, Goodfellas chose to re-date Henry’s arrest to two weeks later. Okay, glad we got that cleared up.

Yesterday, we saw a mobster’s luxury car during the post-war era. Thirty years later, the “Lincoln vs. Cadillac” debate (made famous by Donnie Brasco) rages on. While a boss like Sonny drove a Lincoln in 1947, a street guy like Henry is even able to get behind the wheel of a Cadillac in 1979. And not just any Cadillac, but a “Special Edition” Coupe de Ville Phaeton! These were not small cars, and I can’t imagine trying to handle one of these boats around tight residential corners, especially with all the substances in Henry’s system clashing with his growing paranoia. The car is especially showcased during the film’s climax, the last true day of freedom for Henry Hill before his drug arrest and life in the Witness Protection Program. Continue reading →

Sonny Corleone’s Tollbooth Lincoln

James Caan being fitted for his death suit as "Sonny" Corleone in The Godfather.

James Caan being fitted for his death suit as “Sonny” Corleone in The Godfather (1972)

Vitals

James Caan as Santino “Sonny” Corleone, hot-headed Mafia boss (well… acting boss)

Long Island, NY, Fall 1948

Film: The Godfather
Release Date: March 15, 1972
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Costume Designer: Anna Hill Johnstone

WARNING! Spoilers ahead… (and to the right!)

Background

Yesterday, we examined an Aston Martin that was totally demolished by its use in the film. Here, we’re seeing another car put out of commission. Unfortunately, its owner meets the same fate. Continue reading →