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Talk of the Town: I’ve got the Easter bonnet blues

By Regina Ford

Published: Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:25 PM MST

Whatever happened to the Easter bonnet — with all the frills upon it?

Have Easter bonnets vanished into the Twilight Zone like black and white photos from the 1950s and 1960s? Have they evolved into just another fun craft project for kids watching the Disney Channel?

Does anyone even wear an Easter hat anymore?

When I was a little girl, I remember Easter Sunday very well and all the clothes that went with it. Ah, the whole Easter ensemble! I can still see my favorite dress and matching coat—a pale rose-colored light wool coat with matching lacy dress, white gloves and those shiny patent leather shoes (regardless of what the nuns said about it reflecting up our dresses) and white anklets! It was always patent leather that you had to shine with Vaseline Petroleum Jelly. My little purse was also patent leather.

But the dress, the shoes, the purse and the gloves didn’t amount to a hill of jelly beans compared to the importance of the Easter bonnet.

Back in the 1950s, when I was very small, it was all about the hat. Almost always straw, the hat had to be the right size, the right shape and have the right bow and/or flower. It had to be perfect.

In your Easter bonnet

With all the frills upon it,

You’ll be the grandest lady

In the Easter Parade.

“Easter Parade” was written by Irving Berlin, published in 1933 and was introduced by Marilyn Miller and Clifton Webb in the Broadway musical revue “As Thousands Cheer” (1933). It was repeated in “Holiday Inn” (1942), which featured an Irving Berlin song about each major holiday. In 1948, it was featured in the musical film of the same title, “Easter Parade” which was constructed around it.

“Easter Parade” plot: Don Hewes (Fred Astaire) and Nadine Hale (Ann Miller) are a dancing team, but she decides to start a career on her own. So he takes the next dancer he meets, Hannah Brown (Judy Garland), as a new partner. After a while this new team is so successful, that Florence Ziegfeld is interested in them, but due to the fact, that Nadine Hale dances also in the Ziegfeld Follies, Don says no. In spite of the fact, that he is in love with Hannah, he keeps the relation to her strictly business. So Hannah is of the opinion, that he is still in love with Nadine, and her suspicion grows, when he dances with Nadine in a nightclub floor show.

The movie also starred Peter Lawford, as Jonathan Harrow III and was Jules Munshin’s film debut. (Although Munshin was in successful MGM musicals such as “Easter Parade” and “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” audiences would always remember him as one of the trio of sailors including Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra singing “New York, New York, it’s a Wonderful Town” in the hit “On the Town.”)

Other “Easter Parade” movie trivia:

It’s known as The Happiest Musical Ever Made and won (1) Oscar.

The shedding feathered gown worn by Judy Garland in one number is an in-joke reference to Ginger Rogers’ problematic gown in “Top Hat” (1935).

This is the second time that a character says to Judy Garland: “Why didn’t you tell me I was in love with you?” in a film. The first was Gene Kelly in “For Me and My Gal” (1942).

The dye from the feather on Judy Garland’s hat in “Fella with an Umbrella” song, ran all over her face and jacket, so they coated it with Vaseline. The feather looks different in two different shots.

This picture, which began its run nationally on July 8, 1948, was the second-biggest moneymaking film of the year, directly after the Crosby-Hope-Lamour “Road” trip to Rio, which was launched nationally on Christmas Day of 1947.

The critical and financial success of the Garland-Astaire pairing chiefly “made up” for the mixed reviews and poor box office (except in a few large cities) of Judy Garland’s prior musical, “The Pirate” (1948), which had opened nationally on June 11, only a month before her frolic with Astaire was seen by moviegoers.

Judy Garland’s husband, Vincente Minnelli, was originally slated to direct, but her psychiatrist advised them not to work together.

Gene Kelly was originally scheduled to play Don, but he broke his ankle when he stamped his foot in anger after losing a volleyball game. It was at his suggestion that he be replaced by Fred Astaire. Cyd Charisse was up for the role of Nadine, but a torn ligament in either one or both of her knees forced her to drop out. She was replaced by Ann Miller. Although she had been a star for years, Judy Garland had never met Astaire before, and was afraid to speak to him until they were properly introduced.

Ann Miller danced with pinched nerves in her back. She was also taller than Fred Astaire, so she had to wear flats in her scenes with him. This can be seen toward the end of the movie. When she finishes the number “The Girl I Love,” she goes behind the curtain wearing red high heels; when she comes back out in front of the audience to entice Astaire to dance with her to their old song “It Only Happens When I Dance With You,” she’s wearing red flats.

More than 500 fashion enthusiasts gathered at the Green Valley Elks Lodge #2592 on March 17 for the Elks Auxiliary Spring Extravaganza Fashion Show featuring clothes by Dillard’s at Park Place in Tucson.

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, many donned green in celebration of Irish everywhere.

For the past six months, Fashion Show Committee members Mary Lou Wilson, Twyla Bright and Cathy Travis worked to insure that every detail was in place for the event.

They were supported by Carol Sturdevant who was in charge of securing raffle prizes, as well as great support from Auxiliary President Kathi George.

Gail Hardin, Jo Runstrom and Eleanor Palm worked on decorations. Raffle tickets were handled by Jan Shade, Sylvia Wilson with photography by Marian Dietrich. Susan Trecartin created the printed program.

The organizers said this year some “wonderful” raffle prizes were donated from the community: Local attorney and fellow Elk Walt Henderson, donated $500 worth of legal services; Wright Flight volunteers Matt McLynn, also an Elk, donated a sunset flight over Tucson and other donations included 11 rounds of golf at area courses.

The fashion show an luncheon is the largest fundraising activity for the Auxiliary, with proceeds earmarked for outreach programs and local charities and non-profits such as: Friends in Deed, Continental and Sahuarita School Districts, Youth on Their Own, Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers, High Expectations Scholarship Fund, Southern Arizona Children’s Advocate, Elks National Foundation, Elks Major Projects The Steele Memorial Children’s Research Center at University Medical Center, Green Valley Community Food Bank, Casa de Esperanza, Simpson Wildlife Refuge, Green Valley Assistance Services, Wright Flight and veterans programs.

Other funds are used for donations within the Continental and Sahuarita School Districts and the Elks Youth Camp outside Globe.

The organizers said it was the first time that both men and women modeled the clothing.

The featured models included: Carol Perry, Susan Trecartin, Nancy Lazon, Rose Mattaroci, Jeannie Mekelburg, Carol Hinterthuer, Bob Berry, Manny Ventura, Sherry Pace, Kathi George, Ruby Means Marcia Salley, Lynne Marin, Nat Weikunat and Chuck George.

The model coordinator was Dee Tomsic.

The gentlemen who assisted the models were Tom Bright, Roger Wilson, Chuck George, Bob Wilson, Moe Mekelbreg, Bob Berry, Matt McLynn, Tom Shanahan. Manny Ventura and Frank Strudevant.

In January, Green Valley Recreation employee Shelly Freeman became a kidney transplant donor for her husband Danny, also a longtime GVR employee. Shelley and Danny have given much to our community and now is the time to give back to them. The Freemans still have considerable ongoing medical expenses.

A benefit event for the couple will be at the West Center, Sunday, March 30. Doors open at 2 p.m. with a show starting at 2:45 p.m. featuring musical performances by Allan Riding, Dave Jeffrey and Lanny Webb with vocalists Joe Bourne, Yours Truly, Joey Lessa and Kari Shaff.

In addition, there will be a silent auction, drawing and bake sale. Some of the prizes include: $250 of personal training with certified trainer Ann Siriani; a round of golf for four with golf cart at Heritage Highlands from former GVR executive director, Jeff Ziegler; gift certificates to Coyote Grill; Stockman’s Grill, King Fisher, Continental Shopping Plaza Mall and Tru Value; several pieces of jewelry from Bill Griggs, Jim Fitzsimmons, Terre Ziegler Barbara Hagen and Bob McDuffee; a two-night at San Ignacio Villas and Baymont Inn & Suites; art by Ann Gillingham, Jane Wills, Harvey Kroboth, and Kim Steinhilb; Joan Baker painted glass scene from Meredith’s Hallmark; inlaid wood bowls by Warren Williams, John Brillhart and Arthur Emerton and much, much more!

Tickets are $10 presale and $12 at the door if available and are on sale through March 28 at the Green Valley Chamber of Commerce, The Book Shop in the Green Valley Mall, American Hair Family Cutters in Bashas’ Plaza and Meredith’s Hallmark in Continental Shopping Plaza.

Donations can also be made at the Green Valley M&I Bank in Shelly Freeman’s name.

Information: Call 625-7575 or 207-1800.

rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740


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