One of my all time favorite films is Baby Doll, starring Carroll Baker in the title roll with Karl Malden as her husband in an as-yet-unconsummated marriage and Eli Wallach as Silva, the Sicilian manager of the cotton mill that –having put most of the cotton millers out of work– has recently burned to the ground. It’s brilliant stew of Southern Gothic swamp and sex like only Tennessee Williams could write and only Elia Kazan could direct. It also has what I believe is the sexiest scene of all of film history (it was so scandalous that it was denounced by a cardinal in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, thus guaranteeing a hit).
During a particularly tense part of the film, Silva (Eli Wallach) who may or may not have just enjoyed Baby Doll’s favors sits at the table with Baby Doll and her boorish husband, looks at her and says:
“That’s a beautiful ribbon you’re wearing Mrs Meighan. What particular shade of blue would you say that lovely ribbon is?”
“Oh, just baby blue.”
Granted, these ribbon-laced satin espadrilles (under $70 at YOOX and also available in lavender) are supposedly turquoise, not a baby blue, but they’re lovely all the same. I always like an unexpected treatment of an old classic, such as the satin pointe shoe treatment on a usually rugged espadrille.
I’m not familiar with Andrea Bernes‘ designs, but if these are anything to go by –sweet but not cutesy, innocent but not naive– I’m going to be a big fan.
I’m swooning! Those shoes are fabulous. I have this thing for that turquoise color lately.
Comment by Mrsbug — June 14, 2010 @ 9:23 am
@Mrsbug: Aren’t they fab? I’m having a big satin shoe moment right now and I just want to stroke my cheek against them. Sigh, they make me so happy.
Comment by Plumcake — June 14, 2010 @ 10:52 am
Oh, wow! The color is lovely. If I could add Dr. Scholl inserts (aching knees), I would be wearing these!
Comment by dcsurfergirl — June 14, 2010 @ 11:06 am
“Baby Doll!”
Yessss!
Your reference delighted me; it is one of my all-time favorites as well. And yes, that scene? Sooooo hot.
Thank you for your blog; I adore it.
Comment by Jana — June 14, 2010 @ 11:17 pm
As SOON as I saw this post, I went into a fugue state and bought these shoes. I have never been possessed by a pair of shoes before.
And when they arrived, I felt like I could finally breathe again.
But they sent me the purple ones. I ordered Blue!
I shipped them back, called customer service, and the laydee told me that they definitely have the blue ones in stock, and I should try again. So, I did.
They arrived today, and they were purple again! It says turquoise on my invoice, but they’re still purple! So I called again, and Nice Man said, “Oh, we are so sorry. But now we are out of the blue.”
Why does everyone else get to have blue satin ribbon espadrilles but me? Why can’t I ever have anything nice? Someone is wearing my shoes!
I’m keeping the purple ones, and I will carry a strong resentment against them in my heart. Also, will never shop at YOOX again, ever. Unless they send me a nice coupon. And if they do, I will report back.
Comment by ilsita — July 2, 2010 @ 8:59 pm