Club Obi Wan

So we all know that this wonderful hobby is not really an inexpensive one. But I was wondering to myself the other day how much money Indy put into his gear. So I present this question to the board....could Indy have afforded all that gear on his teachers salary? We know he got the hat for free, but what about everything else, and did he purchase everything in one go, or was it accumulated over time? Maybe it was trial and error of certain gear that finally led him to his "goin' diggin'" attire. So, chime in, I would love to hear what everyone thinks!!!!

Well, it seems to be portrayed in the films that Indy is wearing military surplus clothing and equipment, and that he always has multiples of each piece.

So I think part of the reason we see Indy using the same clothing and gear over and over again is because he's found wardrobe pieces that are cheap, plentiful, and functional.

And at the time the films are set, the notion that any of that stuff would be "collectible" or valuable is pretty far out, so I'm pretty sure Indy was filling his closet with pinks, shirts, jackets, and gas mask bags for pennies.

Another thing to consider is that his salary was supplemented quite a bit by finders fees on the artifacts he returned with. So I'm not at all surprised he could afford the lifestyle he was seen living while maintaining his khaki tuxedo wardrobe for his extracurricular activities.

suburbancomics wrote:...could Indy have afforded all that gear on his teachers salary?

I have always been under the impression that Indy did very well. He wasn't just a teacher. He was a Phd university professor and a respected archaeologist. He somehow managed to maintain that high respect despite his graverobbing tendencies. Probably because his buyers were always universities and museums, not private collectors. He didn't exactly melt down the gold trinkets he dug up, he respected them for what they were, just not the governments who would have claimed ownership rights, and sold them to, or was paid finders fees by public institutions.

What pieces of his gear would you consider expensive? Most of his costume is only expensive today because of the special order nature of it and the exactitudes that we demand. His clothing was nothing special. A good fedora, a good leather jacket, Aldens, etc. The most expensive piece of his gear would have been the bullwhip. Perhaps his guns, but I don't know what the cost index for handguns was back then. Guns might have been more or less expensive, I have no idea.

The Aldens are a bit of an anomaly to me. All shoes were hand made back then and treasured as something special to the individual who owned them. I'm sure that Aldens were expensive, but good shoes were expensive back then. I think that Alden is one of only a very few surviving shoe makers from that era. Perhaps the only really high end shoe company left in the United States now. Nowadays you can purchase good fitting shoes very cheaply and most people would never be able to tell the difference. Mass production has changed the world.

Something else to consider is that labor was cheaper in the early 1900s. Many items were made by hand. Mass production was a brand new idea, only a few years old. Henry Ford had just introduced the assembly line in the early 1900s. Fedora hats were an essential part of many men's daily wear. There were many more makers of such items as bullwhips and hats. Good equipment will always cost you good money, but I really doubt that Indiana Jones would have had to pay the 1937 equivalent of $1000 for a leather jacket. Nowadays items like that are considered to be a niche market, thus cost more money.

Here's the bottom line: I guarantee you that if I can afford similarly high quality gear on my salary, and do it just for a fun hobby, that Professor Jones would have had very little trouble with it. The junk that I carry with me for my own daily adventures cost me a LOT more than this Indy gear.

Also, don't forget he was a bachelor who wasn't worried about dating or playing the field. His priorities and enthusiasm were more focused on his career. Women were a distraction most of the time. He never sought them out and never spent money on them.

I didn't know I could ramble like this... LOL

Besides, this stuff was a lot less expensive in the 1930s. ;-)

Also, Dr. Jones didn't pay a premium because they were "Indy" hats, "Indy" jackets, "Indy" boots, etc.; they were just hats, jackets, and boots.

remeber...Indy is not only a teacher.but an ''graverobber'' too..and....hes a spy...of course he will get payed ;-)

HELLO?!?!?! "No, the money's fine..."

He gets paid quite handsomely for all of his findings PLUS his teacher salary

NIBS

I have to agree with almost everyone else. If I can afford the gear today on my salary, then Indy would have been able to afford multiple pieces of the gear on his salary.

I would venture that Indy's income translated to today's money would exceed $500,000 U.S.

There was also 'official licensing fees' to a movie company involved in any of his purchases.

Regard! Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:There was also 'official licensing fees' to a movie company involved in any of his purchases.

Regard! Michaelson

scot2525 wrote:

Michaelson wrote:There was also 'official licensing fees' to a movie company involved in any of his purchases.

Regard! Michaelson

LOL touche

NIBS

As a university Professor, I can tell you that the pay is not that great. That being said, you can make some nice change on the lecture circuit. I know a guy with a few books who gets $3000-5000 per lecture. Most of us, however, make about $200-500. Like was mentioned before, Indy clearly supplemented his income with acquisitions. Also, during this time, scholars wrote "travel books" and that brought in a nice sum. My man, James Henry Breasted (of the University of Chicago), wrote academic books, text books and popular books about his advnetures. He also made some nice cash on the lecture circuit. In those days, a scholar was expected to research and write and not worry about rubrics and attendance policies, or serve on the snow removal committee.

All the gripe out of the way, I agree that Indy's stuff was probably picked up on the cheap. I know that my field gear has changed over the years to reflect what works and what doesn't. As a matter of fact, my two favorite shirts right now are from K-mart and Walmart and cost, together, less than $15. I only splurge on boots and my hat. Still, those also reflect a wise investment. A carhart jacket, a pair of desert boots, a Federation, and a k-mart shirt and I am good to go for several years of hard use. Mostly, I am the one who gets abused and tattered. My gear holds up pretty well.

Bottom line, I don't think Indy had to sink the money into his wardrobe that we do. I guess it is cheaper to be me than Indy. But, I always knew I was the "Budget Indy."

I agree with those of you who say Indy makes a pretty good salary.

George Lucas originally described Indiana Jones (as some of you might recall) as a man who has a PhD in Anthropology/Archaeology who became a college professor, and he also loves "the good life." Meaning he likes expensive night clubs and beautiful women. He's able to afford "the good life" because of his second job--he's a bounty hunter, a soldier of fortune, who hunts down rare and very valuable artifacts for museums and private collectors. According to George Lucas, Dr. Jones get's paid pretty darn good for those artifacts he finds.

All of this is found in one of the new books they released back in the summer.

But also, since this thread is about his clothes and the cost, during Indy's prime, his clothes would be relatively cheap. The most expensive item would be his jacket....or maybe his whip. But all he wears is a pair of officer pinks, a safari shirt, some work boots, a leather jacket, and a fedora.

The impression I get in Raiders is that Indy does everything on the cheap because he has to. His guides betray him probably because he can't pay them enough and he scrounges for trip money when talking to Marcus at the end of class. His lack of funds is exemplified by his well-used adventure clothing, which is meant to appear functional rather than luxurious. And then if you think about the mocking exchanges between him and Belloq, particularly in the Cairo bar, there appears to be a class struggle going on between them. Belloq is constantly belittling Indy's methods in a snobby way, as though he himself is in a far superior class. Belloq also fronts the Nazi's lavish approach to finding the Ark, where money clearly is no object. This is why his attire looks more dapper and expensive than Indy's worn-out, workman-like clothes - it accentuates the vast difference in their available resources. It also lends credibility to Indy's "life or limb" approach, as he is clearly up against the odds in more ways than one.

I partially agree that Indy did seem (rather than what Lucas said) to be hard off at times, but I don't personally feel his look had to do entirely with his finances. I think it also ties into his work ethic. When he was Professor Jones at the University, or Dr Jones at some swanky club he dressed to the nines and aimed to intimidate, impress or sell himself as the tomb raider. But when he was out roughin' it in the desert, jungle or other far off destination he didn't worry as much about muddying or dusting himself up. He was there to do a job (and learn), and if the result was that he got a grandiose artifact and nasty looking duds (that could be clean, or replaced) then so be it.

Belloq, on the other hand seemed to be the type that didn't dive into the dirty work as much. I agree that he had more money than Indy (the novelizations and recaps seem to confirm), but he also could afford to pay a bunch of guys, follow them and then get the loot (without getting dirty), as he did in Raiders several times.

You forget that Indy deals in rare antiquities....! Teachers salary? HAH! He bought his house by trading in one of his rare artifacts!

well id also like to know, where does he replenish his gear? Did he remember to grab his whip when he was being chased by the boulder?

I was watching LC and after him and dad escape the nazis, he doesnt have his bag, whip, or holster. just the webley. Later on, he has them again. Where were they? Did he have to go buy a new set? Do they sell whips in Iskenderun?


And another question...its cold in Nepal. I know hes only going to the bar for a second, but he doesnt have a warmer pair of pants or a jacket?

Mutt: "You're a teacher?"

Indy: "Part-time" followed with a sly smile.

Indiana Joyce wrote:well id also like to know, where does he replenish his gear? Did he remember to grab his whip when he was being chased by the boulder?

I was watching LC and after him and dad escape the nazis, he doesnt have his bag, whip, or holster. just the webley. Later on, he has them again. Where were they? Did he have to go buy a new set? Do they sell whips in Iskenderun?

I think he just walked over to the prop wagon and checked out another set of stuff. ;-)

Well actually, I just watched LC again, and you can clearly see that Indy grabs his bag and his whip as well as his dad's briefcase when he says "Come on, dad!". It's in the scene when they just locked the Nazis outside of the secret room and are about to go down the stairs and take the motorcycle.

The bag appears to be holding something, maybe a holster?

Satipo wrote:The impression I get in Raiders is that Indy does everything on the cheap because he has to. His guides betray him probably because he can't pay them enough and he scrounges for trip money when talking to Marcus at the end of class. His lack of funds is exemplified by his well-used adventure clothing, which is meant to appear functional rather than luxurious. And then if you think about the mocking exchanges between him and Belloq, particularly in the Cairo bar, there appears to be a class struggle going on between them. Belloq is constantly belittling Indy's methods in a snobby way, as though he himself is in a far superior class. Belloq also fronts the Nazi's lavish approach to finding the Ark, where money clearly is no object. This is why his attire looks more dapper and expensive than Indy's worn-out, workman-like clothes - it accentuates the vast difference in their available resources. It also lends credibility to Indy's "life or limb" approach, as he is clearly up against the odds in more ways than one.

I can agree with some of your points, but I feel that Indy's choice in clothing, equipment, and resources are more related to his personality and sense of practicality. He is not concerned about what other people think of him and only considers the matter at hand to be of importance. He is not a man who takes pride in dressing in expensive clothing just to go run around out in the desert. He has what he needs, when he needs it, and that is all. He is independent, sure of himself, strong willed and able to forge ahead by himself without wasting time and money on irrelevant luxuries and unnecessary personnel and equipment. He has a job to do and maintains his focus toward his goal.

Belloq on the other hand, considers appearances to be very important. I found it quite ironic that the most narcissistic character in all the movies had his face [exploded] by his own greed. He identified with lavish luxuries which the Nazis provided, and also valued. He spent money frivolously. In contrast, Indy had no need to do that. He was able to accomplish the same task far quicker and with far less resources because that was all that he needed for the job at hand. The class struggle was all in Belloq's mind and how he perceived Indiana Jones. It was not truly a reflection of who Indiana Jones was.

Edit - corrected Belloq's cause of death.

Yeah, I think he's very practical! Sure he likes to live well, but who doesn't? He wears what he needs to wear, whenever he needs to wear it.

When he's teaching he has to look professional, so he does. When he's at a club, he dresses up because he has to. When he's out in the field, he wears practical clothes - boots, a brimmed hat, and a Wested Raiders with x-box stitching, aluminum zip, no leather facings, and double gussets(!).... I mean...... a leather jacket...

He probably doesn't make a lot teaching but I'm sure he's paid well for finding his artifacts and that's how he finds the extra $$ to get his house and car and all that.

What I want to know is where he gets his whip(s) from! Didn't he have to replace the one Belloq took from him?

Shane

McFly wrote:What I want to know is where he gets his whip(s) from! Didn't he have to replace the one Belloq took from him?

I have heard from a very reputable source that he had replacement whips overnighted to him on a regular basis from David Morgan's grandfather.

I recall somewhere wear I read a description of Indy from Ford himself. I remember it including "he even has money problems just like everyone else".

Cammer wrote:Belloq on the other hand, considers appearances to be very important. I found it quite ironic that the most narcissistic character in all the movies had his face melted by his own greed. He identified with lavish luxuries which the Nazis provided, and also valued. He spent money frivolously. In contrast, Indy had no need to do that. He was able to accomplish the same task far quicker and with far less resources because that was all that he needed for the job at hand. The class struggle was all in Belloq's mind and how he perceived Indiana Jones. It was not truly a reflection of who Indiana Jones was.

I just watched Raiders and Belloq's head exploded while the 2 Germans on either side had the melting heads. The officer's head kind of just shrunk while the henchman's head actually melted.

lantzn wrote:

Cammer wrote:Belloq on the other hand, considers appearances to be very important. I found it quite ironic that the most narcissistic character in all the movies had his face [exploded] by his own greed. He identified with lavish luxuries which the Nazis provided, and also valued. He spent money frivolously. In contrast, Indy had no need to do that. He was able to accomplish the same task far quicker and with far less resources because that was all that he needed for the job at hand. The class struggle was all in Belloq's mind and how he perceived Indiana Jones. It was not truly a reflection of who Indiana Jones was.

I just watched Raiders and Belloq's head exploded while the 2 Germans on either side had the melting heads. The officer's head kind of just shrunk while the henchman's head actually melted.

Correction made. But my point still stands that it was his face that was destroyed.

I'm still reading Dance of the Giants, but in this book Indy is given a Webley .445 revolver by somebody as it might be needed.

That explains the posession of another 'expensive' item...

Back in the day, the Webley would have been available pretty cheap as a surplus gun.

well in a mid 1940s issue of The Western Horseman they hav an ad for Australian Bullwhips from $1.20 plus shipping.
The same magazine has "fancy officers belts with brass buckle" for .20