Figure 1.--This Belgian film appears to show school fashions in the 1940s after the end of World War II. It appears to be a catholic boarding school. All the children wear short pants and smocks. |
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Many movies show clothing and school uniforms worn in specific countries during certain countries. In most cases those films were made in the country in which the story is set. The clothing depicted is often quite accurate when dealing with contemporary times. More care needs to be taken with films set in historical eras. Some films take great care while others with limited budgets can be very misleading. HBC as with much of the site is most familiar with American and British films, but is aware of some foreign films, mostly French. Hopefully HBC readers will suggest other relevant foreign films. These are particularly rich sources of information for countries for which HBC has no local correspondent. This is particularly true for many European films. Often the children in films set in comtemporary times were not costumed, but rather wore their regukar clothes.
The country movie pages for HBC purposes are movies ABOUT a country, not necesarily movies made in a country. Of course most movies made in a country are about that country. The United States is the principal country which occasionaly makes films set in other countries. In many cases some of the most important films about a country are not made in the country. This occirs because the country has only a small population that does not support a large film imdustry or for a variety of political reasons. The best example of this is Doctor Zibago which could not be made in the Soviet Union. Today religion limits film making. Movies can not even be viewed in the Tailban's Afganistan, let alone made.
HBC as compiled the following list films which we believe are particularly important films. We ave not included every film from the alphabetical list, but rater the fims we believe are particularly important. Hopefully our foreign readers will advise HBC as to which films should be put on their country's film list.
HBC knows very little about the Argentine film industry at this time. Most Latin American countries are noted for only a few important movies. Argentina is one of the three countries with a major film history (the others are Brazil and Mexico). The industry has, however, suffered over time from unstable governments and since the Peron era, an often weak economy. An Argentine reader has mentioned two relatively recent Argentine films: Chiquitas and Kamchatka.
HBC has noted several Australian films of interest, but at this time can not recall the titles. Perhaps the most famous is Walkabout which shows a brother and sister in school uniforms. Another film is set at a state school in a rural area. It is a coming of age film set around a studious boy and a girl he has grown up with and the town delinquent. Many of the boys at his high school, including the boys picking on him wear short pants.
HBC at this time has almost know information about the Austrian film industry and the specific films made there. One American film was shot in Austria and used the Vienna Choir boys which as a result needs to be mentioned on a list of Austrian films. HBU hopes that Austrian readers will help advise HBC on Austrian films. Of course, the most famous film made about Austrian children was the American film, Sound of Music.
Belgian films look remarably similar to French ones. I do not know of particularly classic Belgian films, but HBC correspondents have provided some sample images. Belgian styles seem much like French styles. Belgians boys are often shown wearing short pants and until the 1950s schoolboys are commonly seen in smocks. Berets are also worn, presumably in the French speaking areas. Modern movies show boys wearing the same pan-European styles.
Brazil is a huge country. About half of Latin America in population, area, and national economic output is Brazil. Thus it is not surprosing that Brazil has the the largest film industry in latin America. The domestic economy supports the industry. Unlike Argentina and Mexico, Brazilian Portuguese-languafe films can not be as easily marketed in the neighboring Spanish-speaking countries. The Brazilain film industry has received Government support as well as enjoying a roubust national market. Perhaps the best known Brazilain film is Pixote (1981) about an inderprivlidged street urchin. It is a rather brutal, but powerful film about the life homeless street children face in Brazil. A HBC reader has provided information on another film, Central Station .
We have very little information on Canadian films at this time. Canada has a difficult task in building a national film industry in that successful directors and actors take off for Hollywood as soon as they develop a reputation. Soome head for Hollywood even before developing acreputation. We have noted a strong Canadian television industry, but we know very little about Canadian movies. We know few films not only made in Canada, but about Canada. One film we know of is "THe Kidnappers" (Scotland, 1954). It is set in Canada, but shot in Scotland and England. Hopefully our Canadian readers will provide us some information about Canadian films. One question we have is about Quenec. Are there any intering Quebec films with boy characters.
We do not have any information on the Chilean film industry at this time. We do note one Chilean film. "Machuca" is set during the 1973 military coup which overthrew President Salvador Allende.
HBC has no information on Chinese movies yet. We do note that since the Revolution (1949) that the industry has been strongly supported and controlled by the Communist Government. No country of course has a larger domestic market than China. We have, however, little information on specific Chinese films. One French film noted by HBC sets part of the film in China. This provides some insights into the clothes worn by Chinese boys and their Young Pioneer uniforms. There is also the American-Italian made film, The Last Emperor (1987). Most Chinese films, especially those made before the 1980s, are virtually unknown to Western audiences.
Cuba has since the Revolution in 1959 developed a small film industry. Although Cuba has a very small population, state subsidies have enabled the country to develop a competent industry. Cuban films can also be marketed in other Spanish-speaking countries. The Cuban film industry has produced several poignent. memorable films.
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HBC has no information on pre-World War II (1939-45) Czech film. There was, however, an active film industry which developed during the Communist era (1945/48-89). Many of these films have useful information on children's clothes. The post Communist era was very short before Slovakia withdrew from the country, leaving the Czech Republic as the successor state.
We know little about Danish films at this time. The country does have a film industry, but is limted by the small population and the limited market for Danishp-language films outside Denmark. The only fim we currently know of is You Are Not Alone. Some foreign films have been set in Denmark. One especially well known film is Hans Christian Anderson (U.S., 1952), the Danny Kaye film about the Danish national hero. Hopefully Danish readers can suggest some important films which could be added to our list. The historical accuracy is a factor which must be considered in considering these films.
England has perhaps the strongest film industries in Europe. Because the films are in the English language they are better known to American movie goers than many other European films. Given the world-wide spread of English, this also opens up audinces in may foreign countries. English film makers are good at both costume historical films as well as realistic dramas with sensible writing about real people. English clothes at the turn of the century are shown in How Green is My Valley (19??) including Eton collars. Clothes during the 1930s are depicted in Lassie Come Home. English school boy clothes during the early 1940s can be seen in Hope and Glory (1985?). The short pants suits worn even in secondary schools during the 1960s can be seen in Kiperbang (1980?). HBC believes that English films were more carefully costumed, at least the children, than on the Continent. Ths is, however, only an initial assessmemt. The English have also produce some wonderful chilod actors, many of whommmoved to America to male films in Hollywood.
No information yet.
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Clothes and school uniforms worn during the 1940s are shown in Auervoir les Infantes (1990?). Clothes and school uniforms worn a decade later are depicted in Murmer of the Heart (France, 1971), including the white knee socks worn by schoolboys at Catholic colleges (private secondary-level day and boarding schools). Zero for Conduct (France, 19??) is another well known film. A film that shows French children's clothes during the 1950s is Happy Road. It was made by Americans, but shot in France .
HBC still has relatively little information on German films. HBC knows that before the NAZIs seized power (1933) that Germany had one of Europe's most vibrant film industries. After the NAZI takeover, considerable resources were given to cinema and other media. Technically the movies continued at a high level, but the propoganda element stifiled creativity, There were some powerful films, likke Triumph of the Will, but overall the quality of the films declined. After World War II (1939-45) a new film industry has arisen in Germany, but it has had little exposure outside Germany. The industry in East Gernmany (DDR) continued to be burdened with the heavy hand of censorship, this time Communist ideology. A few films reached international status. The Tin Drum is probably the most famous. Throrogh all the twist and turns of German history. Many of the films have wonderfully chronicled fashions and clothing, including children's clothes.
HBC has only limited information on the Greek movie industry. We do have some information on some individual Greek films. HBC has lottle information on Greek movies at this time. Movie depictions through the 1970s commonly show Greek boys wearing short pants and often sandals, although kneesocks were not as common as in many other European countries. The shorts were often quite short. We do note a Disney movie, The Moonspinners (1963) with Haley Mills. It is set in Greek sea side village. A boy with an important part wears the short cut short pants that were popular in Europe at the time. There are, however, many other examples.
Several interesting films were made in the 1990s. Ta delfinakia tou Amvrakikou (The Little Dolphins of Amvrakikos Bay) is set in the 1930s and shows boys wearing sailor suits.
O psylos (The Flea) is set in a small mountain village during the 1950s and shows a boy wearing short trousers, sweater, boots, and knee socks. I piso porta (Backdoor)
is set during the late 1960s in Athens. It shows a boy wearing shorts, shirt and white dress socks.
HBC knows of a few Hungariam movies which have provided some information. HBC believes that films made in Hungary and other Eastern European countries often were low-buget affairs. Films with contemporay settings often did not have elaborate costumes, but rather had the boys, espdecially if they were not main characters wear their own clothes--thus providing a useful glimpse of contemprary styles.
India has one of the world's largest and most vibrant film industries. India's large population offers a strong market for the industry's output. HBC has, however, little information on the industry. We do know of a few specific Indian films. Hoefully our Indian readers will provide some information.
An Irish reader tells us, "To be honest, Irish films are only in the last few years with Irish Directors making their debuet, and getting on well across the water. Two good ones are, The Commitments and Angel's Ashes." The Irish story has been told by many foreign film makers. Ireland is one of those countries that figures in many foreign films. I'm not sure about British films, but there are many American films. Several deal with Ireland and many more films touch on Irish immigrants in America or have Irish characters.
HBC at this time unfortunately has virtually no information on Italian films or the Italian film industry. This is of course is a major failing as Italy has a very important film industry and has made many beautiful films. We have collected some information on a few Italian films. Italian clothes styles are nicely shown during the 1940s in The Garden of the Finzi-Continis (Italy/Germany, 1970?). Other important films are Padre Perdone and Life is Beautiful (Italy, 1998). I also liked an American film about Italy, It Started in Naples (US, 1960).
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HBC has little information on the Japanese film industry and Japanese films. Hopefully a Japanese reader will provide some information to us. The various Godzilla film, have been widely shown on American television and they often have roles for children in which the boys usually wear the short short pants so popular beginning in the 1950s. In a few instances there are also parts for American boys who always wear long pants--often jeans. Occasionally the Japanese boys appear in traditional clothing. There are also some American and other foreign films set in Japan.
HBC has no information on Korean films at this time. Surely there are some, both North and South Koraen. We know nothing about the Korean film industry at this time. Hopefully our Korean readers will provide us some information.
Latvia was an independent country from 1919 until 1940 when the Soviets invaded. We do not know if they had a film industry during that period. Nor do we know if the Soviets permitted Latvian-language films. Latvia became independent in 1991? as the Soviet Union was disolving. The only Latian film we know of at this time is Novogodniy Perepoloh (1996).
Mexico has a substantial film industry, but HBC has no information on Mexican films at this time. Large numbers of films are made in Mexico. Hopefully our Mexican readers will provide us some information.
We know nothing about Mproccan films at this time. We do know of one film made about Morocco--The Wind and the Lion (1975).
HBC has noted some excellent Dutch films. We know very little, however, about the Dutch film industry at this time. Films in Dutch, unfortunately have a rather limited market. Nor do we know of very many Dutch films. There are several American versions of A Dog of Flanders, which was written by an English writer. We do know that the Dutch have a vibrant film industry. Because few Americans speak Dutch, it is not well known in the United States. One excellent film set in World War II is The Assault (1986). One charming recent film is Kruimeltje ("Little Crum") based on a beloved Dutch children's book.
HBC has little information about New Zealand films. New Zealand has only a small population, but we have seen a few film and there is a local film industry. Fortunately for New Zealand, the principal langage is English which means that their films can be marketed in larger markets such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
HBC has no information on Norwegian films at this time. The U.S. disney film Shipwrecked provides a view of a Norwegian boy serving as a ship's boy in the 1850s.
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Readers have suggested a few Polish movies, but HBC know little about the Polish film industry at this time. We know nothing about pre-World War II films. Of course Polish films were heavily influenced by the Russians and Communist indeology until 1989 when a new democratic government came to power. We are hoping that Polish readers will provide information for us.
The Sovier Government from a very eary stage recognized the propaganda value of films and supported the development of an important national film industry. Readers have suggested a few Russian movies, but HBC know little about Russian films. In fact the films primarily know to HBC are foreign films dealing with Russia. Many of these films are historical films set in the World War I era and dealing wit the Russian imperial family. We have virtually no information on actual Russian films dealing with te every-day life of average Russians.
HBC know of a fews films about, but not very many. One of our favorites is "The Green Years", based on the A.J. Cronin book. Another interesting film is "Wee Geordie". Scotland has only a small film industry. Many films about Scotland were in fact made by foreign film makers. Some readers have complained that our list does not include some Scottish staples, but remember we are focusing on films that illuminate children and the clothing they wore. Until the 1970s,most films about Scotland were basically made by American or English companies and often romantizied Scotland. SBeginning in the 1970s, films made in Scotland appeared with a harder edge. Here Bill Douglas played a major role in devloping these new Scottish films. Even so, the best known film about Scotland is "Braveheart" made by an america production--perhaps explaining why Stirling Bridgewas left out of the Battle of Stirling Bridge.
HBC has little information about the Spanish film industry. We have seen a number of Spanish films and many have a magical, lyrical quality about them. Some employ magic in a comedic sence while others have a darker quality about them. We do recall seeing a lovely little film entitled Tobi if I recall correctly which employs magic in a comedic sence. A HBC reader remembers seeing the film Butterfly, presumably Mariposa set around a school during the 1930s Civil War. The boys wear mostly short pants, some wear school smocks. Another delighful little Soanish film is Manolo Gafotos (1999?). We have not seen, but have noted wonderful reviews for The Devil's Backbone (2001?). It is set during the Spanish Civil War and focuses on an unexploded bomb at an orphanage. This film employs magic in a darker sence.
Sweden has a well developed film industry, although we know little about it at this time. One reviewer with a rather unkind site about Sweden writes, " The Swedish movie industry revolves entirely around the rather revolting practice of Swedish people making lots more little Swedish people. If it weren't for their movie industry, the Swedes would have died out long ago." One serious problem faced by the industry is that the Swedish speaking public is so limited. This of course limits the money which can be spent on a film and thus the production values. It also means that it is difficult to afford major international stars. Perhaps the best known Swedish film showing boys' fashions is Fanny and Alexander. I am sure that there are more important films. Hopefully a Swedish reader will tell us more about their country's film industry and individual filmsd of interest.
No information yet.
HBC has very little information about Turkish films at this time. Turkish films often show children wearing the black or blue smocks and white collars that the schools require.
One common theme in American movies during the 1930s-50s was that rich kids were spoiled and often dressed in fancy sissy clothes. Movies with that them included The Magnificent Ambersons" (1942), many productions of "Tom Sawyer" (the Sid character, and "Newly Rich" (1931). It was called "Forbidden Adventure" in the UK. "Newly Rich" is a good example of this genre. It is about Tim Tiffany, a poor boy who makes it big in Hollywood. He wears a velvet suit and broad white collar with ringlet curls throughout most of the movie. The basic plot is about two women who are constantly trying to one-up each other. Jackie's Mom takes him to Hollywood where they make it big in the movies. The other woman has a daughter about the same age portrayed by Mitzi Green. Basically, it's a comedy and Mitzi makes fun of Jackie when they revisit their small town with him all done up as "Tiny Tim". Jackie's not thrilled with his new attire, but he also knows it's the price he must pay for being in the movies. The picture was child actor Jackie Searl. Jackie was quite popular in movies during the 1930s, usually playing the part of a brat. He was born in 1920, he would have been about 11 years old at the time the film was made. Jackie also played young "Sid" in an early 30s version of "Tom Sawyer", so wearing fancy outfits was not uncommon for him.
I do not know if movies were made in Serbia before World War I. There may have been films made in Yugoslavia which was formed fter the War. Many countries had trouble competing with American Hollyood films or the films of the larger European countries like Germany, especially duting the silent era. After talkies were developed, locally made films had a greater advantage. As far as we know, however, the Yugoslav Government made no great effort to support a film industry. This changed after the Communist take-over following World War II (1945). The Communists who took over all media sectors wanted to use a film industry to make propaganda. As a result, the Government made Government funds available to create a modern film industry. With Government support came Government controls over what films were made and what was said and depicted. The restrictions on non-coforming film makers were no lethal as during the Soviet Stalinist era, but they were very real. No private film making was possible. Some forign film makers came to Yugoslavia because of the low profuction costs. With the break up of Yugoslavia (1990s), film making indutries developed in the new independent countries. These cuntries do not offer the support or the restrictions of the Communist regime.
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