Club Obi Wan

I have a speculation on the IJ's fedora being rotated ...

Have you ever noticed Harrison's crooked nose? (serious) My nose bends the same as his does. One day, my wife noticed my fed a little off-centered, because I use my nose as my centerline (as most people do).

To test the theory ... without a mirror, I tried on my fed and a couple of baseball caps and ... each of them was turned to align with my nose! Maybe that's why he always puts his hats on the same way, producing those suttle looks we all love.

Now due to the "bad" or "not so good" block my fed deluxe has, my fed doesn't create all of the characteristics the Raiders fedora does. But, like 3k's theory about turning the fedora, my hat does produce similar brim changes!

For all of you with a more symmetrical face, I guess that's why some of the nicest fedora's may not produce the Raiders look without a little "imperfection" in there!


Eric

I have been thinking along similar lines recently. I wonder if he ever got his nose broken? I know he got his front teeth knocked out and cut his chin- connect the dots- maybe his nose got rearanged about the same time? Glad to hear about your brim!

I recall reading that his nose was broken on two separate occasions, and he never got it repaired.

Thanks guys! It's one of those threads that didn't start a fire, but I felt it kinda backed your thoughts 3K$.

I'd like to get a thinner felt fedora to see how things look.



Regards,

Eric

Well, the turned hat theory still isn't regarded as highly as I think it should be. To my mind, it's as essential to the Raiders look as brown felt, and I think your crooked nose theory is probably the best explanation for why it was turned. After all, the simplest explanation is usually correct.

I guess I am not in the curve on the turned hat theory yet. Not that I don't think the hat was perhaps turned a bit, by accident at some point in the film. So for the experts on this issue, a couple of questions. Were all the hats turned? If not , which ones? What is the particular look that happens when you turn the hat? Is it the brim, crown, or both? IF it does affect the look of the crown, explain what you mean by this. thanks ahead of time. Fedora

I agree with TheOther Jones- "......is first seen when Indy swings accross the gap in the Peruvian Temple. This is the hat we see in the Raven bar, the Well of Souls, and all the Cairo scenes." The main thing that effects the crown is the oval of the top of the hat not distorting and re-orienting like the oval of the hat opening when a hat is bashed and pinched and worn off center, presenting a sqare-er crown when viewed head on and a more tapered crown when viewed from the side. It makes the front dents and everyting about the crown non symetrical.

Thanks for the refresher. Seriously, it is so hard for me to see, I mean, it just doesn't jump out at me yet. Do you have any pics that show these hats from the side with the ribbon? This would add weight to this idea. The ribbon of course would be off center by how much the hat was rotated. I would love to see those photos. regards, Fedora

I would like to see pics also 3K$!!! I think it just might be his tendency to turn the hat. Depending on the sequence of filming, the hat(s) got "broken-in" too!

Not to mention, if you notice when he pulls the fedora on, Harry pulls down in the back with his left hand and the front brim down with his right.

EB

There's a comparison of bow placement between the brown and grey Raiders and the LC hat at my site http://brokenheartsfixedhere.homestead. ... sTurn.html I tried to find an example of a brown Raiders fedora with a rearward (normal) bow orientation, AND I COULDN'T!!! The first five minutes of the Hawaii hat are missing from my recording, but that shapeless hat at the temple entrance has a forward bow! It must be a larger hat , or the original hat reblocked larger!? Then I looked at the steamship hat, and that bow is forward as well. The hat has the features of a turned hat, but it's worn high (loose) and tilted back, so they are not as obvious. I think you can see the right side of the brim flipping down sharply and the left side not, as with a turned hat, in this picture. The Raiders fedora seems to have a floppier felt than my Borsalino. The PBBM keeps the turned hat brim warping more strongly when it's worn high and loose. Marion is cute!

You know, this turned fedora thing is really on the mark. I recently picked up a new vcr with a great slow mo resolution and I've been picking up on the same idea.
When I try to imitate this by turning my Optimo on my head I get the results I see in the movie. Just a little off to the right or left and I get the wavy brim, etc, and the crown even buldges differently
I have to say that Schwammy hits the nail on the head when he says that it's as essential as the brown felt.
I can also see all these different ribbon placements that 3thou is talking about. Key stuff you guys are coming up with.

Illinois

A belated pat on the back for 3M$. I am a hard headed old cuss, but by George, I am convinced. The bow was the clincher. Fedora