Flapper Mania

Eighty years have passed since the era known as The Roaring Twenties, but America’s fascination with the fashion and literature of that time has never waned. High School students across the country are still devouring F. Scott Fitzgerald’s THE GREAT GATSBY and thanks to Miramax, Chicago The Motion Picture has made Fosse’s 1975 hit Broadway musical available to all.Watch the Chicago Trailer

Bob Fosse’s CHICAGO is based on the play, The Brave Little Woman, written by Chicago Tribune reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins. Her play was inspired by the sensationalized murder trials of women in Chicago's Cook County and was first produced in 1926.

One of Nancy Carroll’s first California appearances was as ROXIE HART in an early stage production of the play Chicago . A dashingly handsome young actor named Clark Gable also appeared as one of the male reporters during Nancy's stint as Roxie. In 1927 Chicago was made into a silent movie starring Ginger Rogers as Roxie. But the Chicago everyone knows and loves today didn't appear until several decades later. In 1975, Bob Fosse, Fred Ebb and John Kander breathed new life into the characters and script. As a musical, Chicago would garner numerous awards, have a long run and make a strong return to Broadway more than two decades later. The stage musical was so popular that Hollywood moguls decided the time had come for Chicago to be made into a major motion picture with an all-star cast,thus, Chicago the movie. Starring Renee Zellweger as Roxie Hart, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly and Richard Gere as Billy Flynn, the movie has been an incredible success. Once again the Roaring Twenties are back. Why, I’ve already seen Louise Brooks look-alikes emerging from salons, and spaghetti~strapped dresses with bottom fringe, hanging in boutiques ! As a matter of fact, among the loveliest of prom gowns I’ve seen this season is a gown that easily could have been worn in the 1920s.

And speaking of the fashion of the era, for those visiting New York City or Long Island this year, you will not want to miss these two special exhibits.

Stony Brook Long Island

Long Island Museum of American Art, History and Carriages 1200 Route 25A Stony Brook, NY 11790 (631)751-0066. This exhibit is called “ Flappers in Fashion : Zelda Fitzgerald and the Jazz Age ” and will run through October 26, 2003

Hours : Wednesday ~ Saturday 10:00 a.m. ~ 5:00 p.m. and Sundays 12:00 noon ~ 5:00 p.m. Adults - $5 , Seniors (60 +) $4 , College students w/ I.D. $ 3, free for museum members and children under the age of 6. Free to all college students with I.D. on Wednesdays only.

New York City
" Roaring Into the Twenties: The New New York Woman " will be on view through September 14 at the Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave. at 103rd Street. For exhibition hours and admission prices please call 212-534-1672 or visit Museum of the City of NY

The Twenties -- an incredible era in our country, historically and culturally. One of the most comprehensive websites I've discovered about The Twenties is JAZZ AGE CULTURE a creation of Dr. Katherine Nichols, Professor of Women's Studies at Pittsburgh State University. You will find links to everything 1920s -- jazz, fashion, bootlegging, social change, politics, crime, literature, decor and much, much more. There is even a link there that will bring you to a site which will teach you how the Charleston is done!