Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Innocents Abroad?
In Top Hat the American dancer Jerry Travers and the American socialite Dale Tremont waltz and fall in the love in the European cities of London and Venice. Along the way they meet Europeans embodied in the members of the stuffy Enlgish social club, Beddini, the Italian fashion designer, Bates the valet, hotel clerks in both cities, and even an Italian carabinieri that arrests Bates (Horace Hardwick, Jerry's producer, is played by an American actor but he could be English). The settings are European, but the actual sets reveal an idealized version of Europe. What does this film tell us about Americans views of Europeans? What do Americans think of themselves? How do Americans view themselves on the world's stage?
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This movie portrays many examples of an idealized world of Europe with stubborn and exaggerated European people. From the Las Vegas esc hotel, the silent room full of old men, and the over the top dress designer, it is an attempt to show that Americans are the most prosperous members of society and therefore deserve various luxuries and to not have to follow the norms of European society. The American woman gets the beautiful European dresses while the very talented designer is simply portrayed as delusional. The American man is not ridiculed for causing a scene in what is supposed to be a silent room because he is seen as the main character and the one that everyone will agree with. The American man has a relationship with a British man similar to master and slave because the American man shows much more competence than the other way around. Americans view themselves and their global position as deserving of the best circumstances. The fancy hotel is not actually what Europe looks like but because there are Americans there, it must become better than normal. Americans view others, particularly Europeans within this movie as though they can make things happen for Americans. They can provide the dresses, the fancy hotels, and the followed orders for the Americans. Because of this relationship Americans believe that America and Europe are not on the same level and that Europe is simply there to serve at the pleasure of America, particularly wealthy, white, and talented Americans.
ReplyDeleteIn Top Hat the portrayal of the all of the European scenes included rich individuals in extravagant locations. These locations included, an equestrian center, multiple luxurious hotels, a classy country club, and a theater. All of these locations had very similar looking people in it. White sophisticated men and women who wore tuxedoes and elegant dresses. Perhaps this is how the Americans viewed the Europeans. Americans viewed them as very rich individuals who stayed at the most luxurious hotels, wearing designer clothing and going out at night to watch famous performers. Since the Europeans were very classy in the film, they were also portrayed as stuck up. An example of this can be seen in the opening scene in the social club. All the members of the club are in tuxedoes, hair slicked back, smoking cigars, and reading the paper. Whenever the tiniest noise was made, they would all get mad at whoever made the noise. Even something as minor as the crinkling of a newspaper, that would normally go unnoticed, were frowned upon. This expressed the fact that Americans believed the Europeans were very elitist. Europeans were also seen as honorable. For example, Beddini would go on long tangents about how he would kill Horace, but not in front of a lady, and how his father would do the same. Beddini was also very proud of his family name. While the Europeans were portrayed as quietly elegant the Americans were shown as loud and entertainers. The Americans pictured themselves as the famous performers known around the world. They believed themselves to be extremely talented.
ReplyDeleteThe movie Top Hat tells us that Americans view Europeans to be stuffy, traditional, and overly proper, even when it is not necessary. Throughout the film, Europeans such as the Italian fashion designer, Beddini, are seen as very traditional. His stereotypical accent, the way he stands with a puffed out chest, and when he wants to kill a man for disrespecting honor, shows the view of the “ideal European” in American eyes. Another example of this behavior is the country club in London. The stuffy Londoners do not allow talking at the club, or really any noise, or movement of any kind. Americans must view themselves to be radical, modern, and forward thinking. In the country club, Jerry Travers, taps spontaneously amidst the quiet Europeans. Which is so rebellious and radical for the Americans. Also the dance of tap itself is American. The style is from the streets, and although difficult, doesn’t possess the same technique, perfect posture, and artful form that the Italians demonstrated in the Piccolino. In a way, the dance itself is a representation of what being an American is. It’s a little rough around the edges, but there is enough will, and spunk, to get by. Americans must find themselves to be very influential. Americans don’t need to have a perfect representation of Venice, or perfectly replicate London, because they are so powerful that the audience will get what they are trying to convey. Also, when Jerry and Dale dance, everyone seems captivated by this American style. Even though the traditional Italian dance of the Piccolino is good, it is not supposed to be the spotlight of the number. The people in the spot light are Jerry and Dale, the tap dancers, the Americans. Just like the dance, the Americans are on center stage.
ReplyDeleteI believe the Americans, Horace and Jerry; show dominance over the other cultures and even over fellow Americans. Horace and Jerry are traveling Americans in a foreign country and express a feeling that they are in charge. The stereotypical Italian is embodied in Alberto Beddini’s; a high end fashion designer with a strong accent. This is an example of the American influence in the film and the mockery of the foreign culture. The extravagant scenery of an Italian hotel is another example of how the American production mocks the Italian culture in there style. Although there are some accurate representations in the hotel, the dancing and high-end experience is unrealistic. The relationship between Horace and his servant, Bates, is an example of Horace establishing himself over other Americans. Bates is disrespected from the start of the movie and Horace does not appreciate the loyalty and hard work that Bates puts into satisfying his “masters” needs. Bates recognizes the disrespect he receives and when his time comes to speak for himself near the end of the movie, he establishes himself and shows Horace that he has a voice of his own. The two American tourists always seem to receive the best accommodations available; the bridal sweet in Venice or the other spacious hotel room. The hotels seem to be catering more to the needs of the foreign tourists rather than locals. Throughout the production of the film Top Hat various scenes along with relationships show how the American character is valued and portrayed as better than everyone else. In the end the Americans get what they wanted and the Italian, Beddini, is left empty handed.
ReplyDeleteIn the movie Top Hat, the Americans reveal the stereotypes they have of Europeans. Almost racial views of them being too fancy, traditional and dependent. The stereotypical Italian is in Alberto Beddini, a fashion designer with an attitude, almost being mocked and stereotyped as your typical European, standing out with his chest poked out, his heavy accent, his threats of killing a man for disrespecting him, etc. This is an example of the American influence in the film and the disrespect of the foreign culture. This just shows the relationship between America and Europe at the time. The Italian hotel is another example of how the American production ridicules the Italian culture. The Americans show their dominance over the culture through the different relationships. In the country club, Jerry Travers, taps his feet amongst the quiet Europeans. Which is so rebellious and radical for the Americans. Also the dance of tap itself is American. The style is from the streets, and just isn’t how Italians demonstrated in the Piccolino. In a way, the dance itself is a representation of what being an American. They take the culture and just trim the edges to make it just have the basic idea. But not having the authenticity hurts the film. Americans. The audience doesn’t recognize that though. They find it pleasing to the eye at first sight and are blinded at the flaws the Americans have. When Jerry and Dale dance, everyone seems enchanted by this. The Americans are shining in the end.
ReplyDeleteThe film Top Hat displays the many different ways in which Americans saw themselves as a completely differing group of people when compared to Europeans during the 1930s. In the very first scene of the film, Jerry Travers is able to disturb the Englishmen in the country club room simply by rustling his newspaper. The complete and utter abhorrence for noise in the social room is one way of showing the pretentious attitude that Americans felt Europeans possessed. In the eyes of the United States, Europe was old fashioned and uppity. Another example of this over the top properness is Beddini’s catchphrase. “For the woman, the kiss. For the man, the sword.” This passé and overdramatic saying epitomizes Beddini’s whole persona. He is a stereotypical Italian man who wants nothing more than the affection of a woman and his masculinity. In comparison to some of these dated European characters, Jerry and Dale are much more modern and exciting. They are willing to push the limits of both their miscommunicated relationship and well as their dance moves. Jerry and Dale are depicted as two young and beautiful people falling in love, while alongside them are the woeful couple of Horace and Madge, who are struggling to keep their marriage afloat. The difference between these two couples is one of culture. The European way, of Horace and Madge, is to cheat on your wife when you are away, while the American way, of Jerry and Dale, is to do anything for the one you love. All in all, the portrayal of Americans in Top Hat is intended to highlight their modernity, while the depiction of the Europeans is to show their outdated ways that should no longer be the norm.
ReplyDeleteI believe that in the film, “Top Hat”, the Americans are portrayed as superior individuals compared to the Europeans. One example is Alberto Beddini, the Italian fashion designer who is shown to be stereotypical, ridiculous, and silly in his demeanor. By the end of the film, Jerry and Horace, if not everyone else, find Alberto as delusional and silly. Tradition and conservatism play a large role in the European ideal. Right at the beginning of the film, the country club is completely quiet due to their disapproval of any sound. Even the smallest of a water droplet could disrupt the club members. However, it also represents the Americans’ tendency to rebel. As a final remark, Jerry loudly tap dances in the country club, violently disrupting the Londoners reading the newspaper. The Americans in the film are supposed to represent the modernity and influence they have over Europeans. Bates, the butler for Horace, is disrespected despite his significant aid. When Bates comically insulted the Italian carabinieri, the scene both reinforced the obliviousness and cleverness of Europeans. Americans view themselves to be at the top of the world, with their culture especially being prominent all over the world. Jerry himself contributes to this influence due to his role as a famous dancer. He is charismatic, sophisticated, and skilled at his job. In addition, the Americans were the focus in most scenes in the film, including the final dance scene in Venice.
ReplyDeleteThe Fred Astaire film "Top Hat" portrays the American characters as the more socially modern individuals in the story. This is shown through the contrast of Fred Astaire's bubbly giddiness in contrast with the primarily traditional demeanor of the European characters. The earliest example of this is the opening scene of the film when Astaire is sitting in the hotel's quiet room amongst a bunch of older gentlemen silent reading their newspapers. At the slightest sound that someone (Astaire) might make, they all in unison "shush" the source of the sound. This particular scene is set in London, meaning that the older gentlemen in the scene are likely English. Even though this is most likely in the film simply for comedic effect, I think that it is also mocking the prim-and-proper-ness that Americans see in Englishmen. Likewise, I think that the entire character of Beddini could be a parody of Italian masculinity. Again, his character could very well just be for the humor of it all, but the fact that there are distinct character traits for characters from each European country referenced points to the possibility that the characters are more caricatures. What contrasts this point, however, would be the character Bates. Bates is a British character, but is in no way the reserved, proper sort of person that would be sitting in the quiet room of the hotel shushing anyone who made a sound. He is seen doing very unorthodox things to further the plot of the film, and has a demeanor much more like Horrace (which it is unclear where Horrace is from). Despite this, I think Bates could even be a parody of Englishmen, as the big, friendship ruining argument that his character has with Horrace is over what kind of tie looks better to wear.
ReplyDeleteThe contrast of this is shown through Astaire dancing very nontraditionally and energetically.
DeleteThe 1935 American movie, Top Hat, is a movie that portrays Europe as romantic and beautiful but, unfortunately, stuck in its past traditions. Places like London are shown to be clean and devoid of any kind non rich people, besides those who run the hotels or other types of people in service industries. The cities’ hotels have suits closer to luxury mansions than an actual hotel room. The cities are look more like luxury resorts than a city that has existed for centuries. For example Venice has wide streets, uncharacteristic of old European cities, and canals that look like they could double for a swimming pool. The cities are filled with beautiful buildings, walks, and parks; while these do exist in Venice and London they do not make up the entirety of the cities. In addition compared to the Americans, Dale and Jerry, the people are depicted as uptight and stuck in past traditions. For example, at the beginning of the movie Jerry is in a gentleman’s club that requires an absurd level of silence. Even the sound of turning the page of a newspaper sends the uptight Europeans to squirming in their chairs. The movie then pokes fun at this idea this when Jerry tap dances on the step above the room angering all of them. This scene is shot with Jerry already taller than most of them, standing on a step. This gives the impression that the proper European way is ridiculous and unnecessary. Another example is the Italian fashion designer beddini who is shown to be completely carried away in his families past reputation. He is a mockery of the value placed on family origins in Europe compared to the American celebration of the self-made man. In both cases the movie shows Europe to be very self-centric and ungrateful for the beautiful place in which they live.
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