Musical Takes a Dark Turn

Film Details:

• Film Title: New York, New York
• Film Year: 1977
• Character Name: Jimmy Doyle
• Cinematography: colorFilm
• Scorsese Cameo? false

Here is more information about the costume and how it informs the character:

• Clothing Articles: Blue grid print sack suit with butter yellow shirt and bright blue slacks
• Hairstyle: More pomade
• Props: Saxophone, full orchestra
• Costume Style: Formal Wear
• Facial Hair? false
• Bare Chested? false
• Tattoos? false
• Headwear? false

• IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076451/?ref_=nv_sr_1
• Other Source: Clip from "Happy Ending", the Film's Musical-Within-a-Musical
• Bonus: Liza Minelli's Show-Stopping Solo "But the World Goes 'Round" (via YouTube)

And now here we have our first of many color blocked suits! To contextualize this costume, some plot information is needed: Once Francine and Jimmy join forces in a Big Band group and get married, Francine has to leave the tour to give birth to their son. Being the colossal ass that he is, Jimmy takes this opportunity to pursue an affair with her replacement. Francine comes out on top with her movie career with their son (and a spectacular movie musical-within a movie musical, Happy Ending) and leaves Jimmy with virtually nothing. Karma. The prominent blue and yellow color scheme of the suit and shirt echo the NYC Hawaiian shirt and serve as Jimmy’s signature colors. (Francine’s, by contrast, tend to be either contrasting darks and lights, or bold red, as seen in her the Happy Ending musical number.) The clashing bold colors and patterns worn by both leads signifies their incompatibility throughout the course of the film, but holds symbolic meaning in the impact of their large personalities: the music they make together may be bright and brassy and memorable, but it can’t sustain a marriage.

Did you know? Bob learned to play saxophone for the film to make his performance more authentic.

See Also:

• Can't Take No For an Answer