Hi everyone,
There's been a lot of talk regarding the film-used Temple of Doom Jacket, and I still have a few doubts that perhaps could be cleared up.
1. It's been repeated many times that a "French company" provided the jackets used in ToD.
-What company, exactly? (It's always refered to as a "French company.")
-Why did Lucasfilm shy away from using Bernam and Nathan/Peter Botwright?
-What does Peter have to say regarding the matter?
2. On MK's site, there are some great shots of a stunt jacket owned by Noel Howard used in ToD. Now, the cargo pockets as well as the collar are tiny. However, I don't recall the pockets or collar being that small on Ford's "hero" jacket in the film. What gives?
I can't answer many of those questions, perhaps some our our more learned members will be able to.
But as far as the 'french company' producing TOD jackets, it is my understanding that the production crew needed some extra jackets quickly so turned to a local company to produce them during the making of the film. Rumour has it that Ford didn't like wearing the french jackets, I know not why.
The jackets had the differences you mentioned plus, I believe, pronged buckles.
I too would be interested to find out which company produced these jackets.
To answer your question.
1. We supplied some principal jackets for TOD and they were going to use the original Lost Ark jackets for the stunt men, however in the middle of filming either some jackets were damaged or went walkies and replacements had to be found very quickly.
2. I refer to it as a local company but it was possibly the wardrobe dept working on site with the film. However with no proper pattern the design and fit were well off the mark which is why Harrison Ford was not a happy Bunny. Bermans and Nathan could not produce them via us as we were tied up with urgent James Bond 007 jackets and there was no one else to make within the time frame
3. This did not offend me as in the event we were called back in to make the jackets for Last Crusade vindicating the quality of my production.
Hope that clears the air
Cheers
Peter
Man, what I would give to get my hands on one of the jackets that went "walkies." (BTW, thanks Peter - you've just added a new word into my vocabulary).
What are the possibilities that there was NO French company at all, and perhaps a French company supplied the leather and the costume department crafted the jackets? This seems like a more likely explanation to me, and its' purely conjecture, but it seems odd that a film company would turn to some mysterious French clothier in this instance.
Add to that that NO ONE, has been able to track down this company in almost 20 years (yikes!), and I think that what I've suggested is a real possibility. But I'm a rookie, so I'm probably wrong.
The possible source of the original felt supplier was just unearthed, so the unidentified French co. doesn't surprise me at all. I do like your idea about the co. being a leather supplier instead of a jacket co, though. The French do have great leathers (the Wested VIP jacket leathers is a French 'naked' cowhide, and the softest I've ever experienced. Good stuff) I really like this theory. It holds water for me! Regards. Michaelson
On a side-note to this post, am I the only one still totally freaked out that a question about the Indy jackets is answered by THE man who made them????
I have admired Peter's customer service, and LOVE his products, and to see him on this forum still blows me away after almost a year of being here!!!!
ok, I'm done. Back to your regularly scheduled post...
I've known and corresponded with the man for years, and like you, am still amazed he takes the time. Sure, we're his customer base, but HEAVENS, he has so many irons in the fire, we're not his ONLY ones. Yes, he's a rare individual indeed, and we're lucky to know him. Regards. Michaelson
Agreed! My correspondance with Peter isn't as vast as many here, but I did talk to him over the phone after hearing about him on Indy's Diggs, which was my first exposure to Indiana Jones costuming.
He was polite, friendly, and answered all of my "fanboy" questions. As an anecdotal aside, when I ordered my first Wested Peter asked me if I would be wearing a "jumper" underneath it, and I said..."Uh, I don't know, I guess..." and it wasn't until I asked my British friend what a jumper was...a sweater!
