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Use the scrollbar to explore costumes in this gallery or select a time period above to visit a different gallery.
The Carry On series of films’ low budgets is well documented, and their use of local filming locations around Pinewood Studios, as well as sets and costumes that were available at Pinewood is also fairly well known. It is said that some of the costumes from the 1964 production Carry on Cleo were borrowed from the 1963 Cleopatra.
This fantastic gold and teal armor with leopard fur underneath is a great example of costume reuse. On first glance it would appear that it was first worn by Richard Burton in character as Mark Antony and then worn the next year by Sidney James – also playing Mark Antony.
However, close inspection of the costume reveals some differences in the decoration of the armor. One could easily assume that changes were made between the two productions to give the costume a different look – as this is certainly something that happens often. But, when Burton’s original costume came up for auction clearly still in tact, it was clear that these two costumes were not the same…or at least, not the exact same costume.
That being said, they are still very clearly based on the same costume, and it’s not unlikely that Sid wore one of Burton’s costumes (of which there would have been multiples), or at the very least, the costume worn by Burton’s stunt double or a stand in. While they aren’t the exact same costume, they are so close in design that it’s safe to say that they originated from the same production.
Interested in more armor? Click here to explore more.
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Have you ever watched a film and noticed a character walk by in a gown that you just know you’ve seen before? Recycled Movie Costumes is dedicated to documenting the life of a costume through its various appearances on film and television.
The Carry On series of films’ low budgets is well documented, and their use of local filming locations around Pinewood Studios, as well as sets and costumes that were available at Pinewood is also fairly well known. It is said that some of the costumes from the 1964 production Carry on Cleo were borrowed from the 1963 Cleopatra.
This fantastic gold and teal armor with leopard fur underneath is a great example of costume reuse. On first glance it would appear that it was first worn by Richard Burton in character as Mark Antony and then worn the next year by Sidney James – also playing Mark Antony.
However, close inspection of the costume reveals some differences in the decoration of the armor. One could easily assume that changes were made between the two productions to give the costume a different look – as this is certainly something that happens often. But, when Burton’s original costume came up for auction clearly still in tact, it was clear that these two costumes were not the same…or at least, not the exact same costume.
That being said, they are still very clearly based on the same costume, and it’s not unlikely that Sid wore one of Burton’s costumes (of which there would have been multiples), or at the very least, the costume worn by Burton’s stunt double or a stand in. While they aren’t the exact same costume, they are so close in design that it’s safe to say that they originated from the same production.
Interested in more armor? Click here to explore more.
The Carry On series of films’ low budgets is well documented, and their use of local filming locations around Pinewood Studios, as well as sets and costumes that were available at Pinewood is also fairly well known. It is said that some of the costumes from the 1964 production Carry on Cleo were borrowed from the 1963 Cleopatra.
This fantastic gold and teal armor with leopard fur underneath is a great example of costume reuse. On first glance it would appear that it was first worn by Richard Burton in character as Mark Antony and then worn the next year by Sidney James – also playing Mark Antony.
However, close inspection of the costume reveals some differences in the decoration of the armor. One could easily assume that changes were made between the two productions to give the costume a different look – as this is certainly something that happens often. But, when Burton’s original costume came up for auction clearly still in tact, it was clear that these two costumes were not the same…or at least, not the exact same costume.
That being said, they are still very clearly based on the same costume, and it’s not unlikely that Sid wore one of Burton’s costumes (of which there would have been multiples), or at the very least, the costume worn by Burton’s stunt double or a stand in. While they aren’t the exact same costume, they are so close in design that it’s safe to say that they originated from the same production.
Interested in more armor? Click here to explore more.
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Here’s the Burton version. https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/345158758918076692/ I think if it had been altered for James, which is a later movie, the costume would now be in that form, which it isn’t.
More images here:
http://www.icollector.com/Richard-Burton-Mark-Antony-signature-costume-ensemble-from-Cleopatra_i10500239
This is not the same costume – the details are different. The Carry On one must have been made to mimic Burton’s. For example, the gold embellishments vary, the girdle has a convex rather than a concave upper curve (not visible in this photo), the leopard tunic has a different spot pattern and Sid’s version has a cut down from the neckline at the front. This photo shows both costumes in more detail making the differences more obvious.
I love this site. Anyway, it wasn’t just costumes from Cleopatra that were reused in Carry on Cleo – Huge pieces of set that were built in England for filming Cleopatra were reused on the Carry On film too. Which is probably why Carry On Cleo looks the most lavish of all the Carry On movies – they were just recycling.
Log in to ReplyThanks Bob for this fun information! And thanks for your kind words about the site!
Log in to ReplyI’d love to hear why you do not feel it is the same costume. Could you please note a detail that is not the same that could not possibly have been adapted by a costume designer? We have confirmation that Burton gave his clothes to Sid James to wear in Carry on Cleo from Cleopatra, just as he did with Anne of the Thousand Days and Carry On Henry. We also have this link which shows some of the costumes were used by both Sid and Richard when their costumes went up for auction at Bonhams. http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?sContinent=EUR&screen=lotdetailsNoFlash&iSaleItemNo=3435478&iSaleNo=15337&iSaleSectionNo=1
I assure you, it’s the same costume.
Log in to ReplyThis is not the same costume!
Log in to ReplyOh, wow! Thanks for letting me know! Funnily enough,last weejThe Guardian, both online and in print, did a quick write up on this very same costume!
Log in to ReplyThis costume sighting is mentioned in a piece in Express online. (And so is your website!)
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/214216/Seen-it-all-before-Yes-you-have-
Log in to ReplyThank you so much, this is awesome!!!
Log in to ReplyHere’s a link to the Bonhams auction page for another Cleopatra/Carry On Cleo costume:
(I’m a bit rubbish and don’t have any pictures from the films themselves!)
Not sure if the buyer was a bigger fan of Richard Burton, or Sid James!
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Costume Commentary
Here’s the Burton version. https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/345158758918076692/ I think if it had been altered for James, which is a later movie, the costume would now be in that form, which it isn’t.
More images here:
http://www.icollector.com/Richard-Burton-Mark-Antony-signature-costume-ensemble-from-Cleopatra_i10500239
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/170d63c319b69021927bfeb9eabea74702c9fd3cf4af41e93492279848a937e3.jpg
This is not the same costume – the details are different. The Carry On one must have been made to mimic Burton’s. For example, the gold embellishments vary, the girdle has a convex rather than a concave upper curve (not visible in this photo), the leopard tunic has a different spot pattern and Sid’s version has a cut down from the neckline at the front. This photo shows both costumes in more detail making the differences more obvious.
I love this site. Anyway, it wasn’t just costumes from Cleopatra that were reused in Carry on Cleo – Huge pieces of set that were built in England for filming Cleopatra were reused on the Carry On film too. Which is probably why Carry On Cleo looks the most lavish of all the Carry On movies – they were just recycling.
Thanks Bob for this fun information! And thanks for your kind words about the site!
I’d love to hear why you do not feel it is the same costume. Could you please note a detail that is not the same that could not possibly have been adapted by a costume designer? We have confirmation that Burton gave his clothes to Sid James to wear in Carry on Cleo from Cleopatra, just as he did with Anne of the Thousand Days and Carry On Henry. We also have this link which shows some of the costumes were used by both Sid and Richard when their costumes went up for auction at Bonhams. http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?sContinent=EUR&screen=lotdetailsNoFlash&iSaleItemNo=3435478&iSaleNo=15337&iSaleSectionNo=1
I assure you, it’s the same costume.
This is not the same costume!
Oh, wow! Thanks for letting me know! Funnily enough,last weejThe Guardian, both online and in print, did a quick write up on this very same costume!
This costume sighting is mentioned in a piece in Express online. (And so is your website!)
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/214216/Seen-it-all-before-Yes-you-have-
Thank you so much, this is awesome!!!
Here’s a link to the Bonhams auction page for another Cleopatra/Carry On Cleo costume:
http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?sContinent=EUR&screen=lotdetailsNoFlash&iSaleItemNo=3435478&iSaleNo=15337&iSaleSectionNo=1
(I’m a bit rubbish and don’t have any pictures from the films themselves!)
Not sure if the buyer was a bigger fan of Richard Burton, or Sid James!