Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Costumes and props from A Clockwork Orange on display...

Stanley Kubrick's controversial Oscar-nominated 1971 dystopian future sci-fi classic was largely banned and made unavailable in Britain for around twenty-seven years due to its depiction of extreme sexual violence. Having grown up in the U.K. during this time, I found it even more interesting to see this collection of movie memorabilia for A Clockwork Orange so openly displayed at LACMA's Stanley Kubrick exhibit.

A Clockwork Orange movie display at the 
Stanley Kubrick exhibit at LACMA
A Clockwork Orange Alex DeLarge costume
Clockwork Orange Korova Milk Bar Maid reproduction
The exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art was comprised mainly of reproduction costumes and props, but it did feature the original sword cane used by Malcolm McDowell as the sociopathic delinquent 'Alex DeLarge' in the movie set in a futuristic Britain.

A Clockwork Orange movie poster
Clockwork Orange movie poster
Milena Canonero was the original Costume Designer responsible for creating the now iconic look for Alex and his ultra-violent thug gang of 'Droogs'.

At other ends of the spectrum, you can also see her Oscar-winning period costume designs in Barry Lyndon and outfits used in The Shining horror movie.

Reproduction of Alex DeLarge costume worn by Malcolm McDowell 
and actual sword cane used in A Clockwork Orange
Clockwork Orange Alex DeLarge costume Stanley Kubrick exhibit LACMA
Clockwork Orange Alex DeLarge movie costume
Clockwork Orange Alex DeLarge costume
Clockwork Orange Alex DeLarge costume
Clockwork Orange Alex DeLarge eyeball cuff costume detail
Alex DeLarge costume Clockwork Orange
Also on display were mannequin reproductions of the Korova Milk Bar maids, which have a real 70's vibe to them, used as set dressing and ornamental tables in the futuristic bar where the youth gangs indulge in the intoxicating 'milk plus' (from the mannequin's breasts no less).

Reproduction mannequins of the Korova Milk Bar maids 
featured in A Clockwork Orange
Clockwork Orange Korova Milk Bar Maid
Korova Milk Bar Maids mannequin reproductions Clockwork Orange
Clockwork Orange Korova Milk Bar Maid
Clockwork Orange Korova Milk Bar Maids mannequin reproductions
Clockwork Orange Korova Milk Bar Maid
Clockwork Orange Korova Milk Bar Maid mannequin
It's amazing how the world has moved on and imagery like this is no longer as shocking as it was forty years ago, although the societal, political and economic themes of the movie, like gang violence, are still relevant today.

A Clockwork Orange movie poster
Clockwork Orange movie poster

3 comments:

  1. All elements of this iconic film have thier relevance to the times of then as they have such relevance now. Each set piece, detail in design, and dialogue reflects the shocking realities of a troubled mind as a intentional slap in the face to the audience, which in turn, is an act of awareness of great urgency for addressing the broad scope of mental health issues for proper treatment of said issues, especially among the youth. In conclusion, Kubrick's film serves as a testament to the continuous deterioration of society in its most alarming form.

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  2. Can't imagine who'd ever want to visit a supposed museum displaying "reproductions" of A Clockwork Orange movie prop, if those are not the actual props used in the film. The only prop worth seeing there would be the original cane sword, which holds true nostalgia compared to a reproduction.

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  3. The exhibit was part of a larger Stanley Kubrick Exhibition hosted at LACMA https://hollywoodmoviecostumesandprops.blogspot.com/search/label/LACMA

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