US3074714A

US3074714A - Costumes

Info

Publication number: US3074714A
Application number: US59553A
Authority: US
Inventors: June E Carter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-09-21
Filing date: 1960-09-21
Publication date: 1963-01-22
Anticipated expiration: 1980-01-22

Description

Jan. 22; 1963 J. E. CARTER 3,074,714

' COSTUMES Filed Sept. 21, 1960 I'NVENTOR.

BY A

United States Patent 3,074,714 COSTUMES June E. Carter, P.O. Box 5785, Pittsburgh, Pa. Filed Sept. 21, 1960, Ser. No. 59,553 13 Claims. (Cl. 272-25) My invention relates to theatrical costumes and includes among its objects and advantages an improvement in costumes for creating illusions, in which a giant face is simulated, usually in semi-darkness.

In the .accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front view, inclined slightly to one side, of such a costume in use;

FIGURE 2 is a similar view on a smaller scale with the parts in a different position;

FIGURE 3 is a full front view on the same scale as FIGURE 2, with the parts in still another position;

FIGURE 4 is a detail section as on line 4-4 of FIG- URE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is :a detail section as on line 55 of FIG- URE 3.

- In the embodiment selected to illustrate the invention, the costume includes two cups and 12, each carefully fitted to one of the breasts of the wearer. These may be held in place in conventional ways such as by aflixing them to, or sewing them into a complete leotard, or skintight garment, 14. The garment 14 of FIGURE 1 is of open mesh flesh colored scrim leotard. I also provide a pleated skirt 16, of suflicient length to eliminate any exposure that might be considered immodest.

Substantially at the umbilicus, indicated at 18 in FIG- URE 4, I position an imitation mouth 20 having crimson lips and a horizontal slit at 22. On each of the cups 10 and 12 I place indicia representing

imitation eyes

24 and 26 and these eyes and mouth 20 are made in approximately natural proportions to correspond to a normal face that will be from 2 /2 to 3 /2 times the dimensions of the actual face of the model wearing the costume.

Around the hips I position a belt-like girdle 28 which is colored to constitute an imitation collar, with actual turned out lapels at 30 and a substantially genuine bow tie at 32.

At least the eyes, mouth and collar and bow tie are appliqued with fluorescent material adapted to emit strong illumination of predetermined wave lengths when subjected to incident radiation at or near the ends of the visible spectrum. This makes it possible for the model to maneuver with the stage substantially dark, and illuminated only to semi-darkness by the spotlight throwing the substantially invisible light on the fluorescent material. There is thus created an area of visibility substantially encircling the more luminous areas at 10, 12, 20, 30 and 32. Within this area it is usually possible to perceive dimly the contour of the torso of the wearer, but suitable variations in illumination can be used to substantially eliminate that part of subject matter viewed.

The verisimilitude may be further enhanced, as illustrated, by providing a relatively opaque upward extension from the collar 28, indicated in FIGURE -1 at 34. This extension goes up to the level of the imitation mouth and may have fluorescent material applied in imitation of a chin 36 which may include a small goatee 38. I may also add an imitation nose at 40, and the detachable support for the nose comprises a light wire member 42 bent for- .ward at 44 and then formed into a downwardly opening hook 46.

It will be obvious that movements of the torso and shoulders of the model will displace the

eyes

10 and 12 into various relative positions with respect to the mouth. To produce more noticeable effects of this sort, I provide each cup with a pull string 48 affixed to the cup approximately at the outer point of the lune defining the imitation eye. It will be obvious that the model can hold both arms outstretched and horizontal, with the ends of the pull strings in her hands, and make the eyes roll from side to side. To move the eye 10 in when the eye 12 is pulled out I provide a cross connection at 50 connecting the inner points of the imitation eyes so that when either eye is pulled away from the center the other eye will swing with it and an apparent rolling of the eyes will take lace.

The cross cord 50 forms a convenient support for the imitation nose 40 and this makes it possible to move both eyes toward the center. This is best done by pulling down on the nose 40, hearing in mind that the model operates in semi-darkness with the imitation eyes, mouth, and collar strongly illuminated and everything else in fairly deep shadow. An extremely cross-eyed and ludirous appearance can be produced by pulling both eyes toward the center, either by pulling downward on the nose 49 or by crossing the draw strings 48 across each other so that each string will pull its cup toward the center.

The illusion of a monstrous masculine face may be further enhanced by having the skirt 16, at least in front, just under the neck-tie 32, pleated at 52 in substantial imitation of a mans pleated shirt.

One of the most conspicuous items of display, when brought into play, is the retractable tongue 54. This is a strip of fabric having a tapered outer end and carrying strongly fluorescent material. It is normally housed, as best indicated in FIGURE 4, within a receiving tube 56 formed between two plies of fabric constituting the upward extension 34. This material lies under the leotard 14. The tongue is normally held entirely within the pocket, as by a strip of elastic indicated at 58 in FIGURE 4, but its outer end carries a loop 60 of the same inconspicuous draw string material as the strings 48. In FIGURE 2 the model has grasped the loop 60 with her right hand and drawn it out at an angle so that the giant face is sticking his tongue out somewhat to the left. In FIGURE 3 the model uses both hands so that the hands can be kept out of the area of visibility, and the tongue has been drawn down for a similar gesture of disrespect or what have you.

The elastic 58 is of woven fabric with rubber inserts, and has a definite limit of elongation, so that under certain circumstances the model can exert more tension on the costume at this point than the resilience of the rubber in the extensible element 58 would produce.

It will be obvious that a wide variety of movements, including walking to different positions on the darkened stage, may be practiced, and accompanied by corresponding facial gestures.

For instance, if the body is allowed to sway slightly from side to side the movements of a slightly intoxicated person can be well simulated. With or without making such movements, if the body is swayed in one direction, say, to the right, and the left shoulder is simultaneously shrugged upward, the imitation face will tilt and the left eye will rise a little, making an exaggerated come-hither gesture with the face as a whole. Rising about 5 inches by going up on the right toe accentuates this gesture.

In FIGURE 2 the imitation face has a normal forward looking arrangement, but in FIGURE 1 the eyes are directed upward toward the balcony of the theater. If the model also carries the draw cords 48 in her hands, this upward displacement of the eyes can be materially increased into an attitude of prayer.

On the other hand, by letting the shoulders slump as much as conveniently possible, and bending the back into a forward arc, the eyes may drop into a downwardly directed and dejected position as indicated in FIGURE 3, and the tongue 54 is long enough to extend down into a grotesquely exaggerated expression suggesting the common cartoon entitled Sad Sack.

The variety of available expressions and movements is so great that no attempt is made here to enumerate them. The few items recited above will give an adequate understanding of what can be accomplished.

Others may readily adapt the invention for use under various conditions of service by employing one or more of the novel features disclosed, or equivalents thereof. It will be obvious that a wide variety of creatures, including not only people, but animals of all sorts, such as quadrupeds, birds, fish, turtles, saurians, and the complete repertoire of 21 Walt Disney menagerie, may be visualized as living, moving entities, before a variety of audiences. Furthermore, idealized inanimate objects such as the old Dutch clock, and the dish running away with the spoon, lend themselves readily to portrayal with fanciful features and/or organs afiixed to the model in such ways that bodily movements of the model can appear as either bodily or facial contortions of the entity portrayed. It will be obvious that the simulated eyes would function equally well in connection with falsies worn by a person biologically of the male sex, but equipped to impersonate a female person. Such theatrical personnel are commonly called female impersonators.

As at present advised, with respect to the apparent scope of my invention, I desire to claim the following subject matter.

1. A costume for securing theatrical illusions comprising, in combination: an inconspicuous foundation garment; ornamentation carried by said foundation in imitation of the features of a face large enough to cover the front of the torso, with the eyes at locations corresponding to the breasts of a female torso, and the other features approximately proportinal; said features including an imitation mouth having a horizontal slit between the lips thereof; a flexible tongue in said imitation mouth; and inconspicuous wearer-controlled means for moving said tongue manually out through said slit and holding it extended in any direction.

2. A costume for securing theatrical illusions comprising, in combination: an inconspicuous foundation garment covering the torso of the wearer; ornamentation carried by said foundation in imitation of the features of a face large enough to cover the front of the torso, with the eyes at locations corresponding to the breasts of a female torso, and the other features approximately proportional; said features including protuberant imitation eyes; and inconspicuous tension means for each eye adapted to displace the eye up or down or to either side, to vary the facial expression of the entirety.

3. A costume according to claim 2 in which said inconspicuous tension means is a flexible cord dangling at large from its cup; whereby the wearer can cross the cords and turn both eyes inward to imitate a cross-eyed face.

4. A costume for securing theatrical illusions; said costume being adapted to be worn by a theatrical performer, and comprising, in combination; a cup fitted to each breast of the wearer; each cup carrying insignia simulating an open eye; an imitation mouth; and an inconspicuous flexible tension member connected to each cup; said tension member, when not under manipulation by the wearer, hanging down in front of the body of the wearer, and being adapted to displace its cup up, down, or to either side when pulled in the desired direction by the wearer, with the hands of the wearer outside a circle of visibility encircling both cups; said imitation eyes and mouth being of approximately the proportions corresponding to a natural face several times as large as the. actual face of the wearer; said imitation eyes and mouth being aifixed to an inconspicuous leotard fitted to the wearer and adapted to hold said eyes and mouth approximately in correct relative positions during movement of the wearer with substantially entire freedom of movement; there being a rela tively conspicuous belt-like girdle encircling the hips of the wearer; said girdle carrying an imitation collar and a knotted necktie, proportioned to harmonize with said eyes and mouth; said leotard being of flesh-c0lored open mesh fabric; said girdle portion including a central upward extension in front; said extension carrying indicia simulating a chin; said chin having natural proportions with respect to said imitation eyes, mouth and collar.

5. A costume according to claim 4 in which said month has a horizontal slot between the lips thereof; there being a flexible imitation tongue concealed behind said mouth and adapted to be pulled out through said slot and extended in any direction.

6. A costume according to claim 5 in which the tip of said imitation tongue carries inconspicuous tension means adapted to be grasped by either hand of the wearer for withdrawing and positioning said tongue at a variety of angles, and to a variety of distances, while keeping the hand or hands of the wearer outside a circle of visibility centered at said mouth and having a radius not materially greater than the length of said tongue when extended to its maximum extension.

7. A costume according to claim 6 in which the maximum extension of said ton ue is materially greater than the proper proportion with respect to said eyes and mouth.

8. A costume according to claim 5 in which said imitation tongue, when concealed, lies extending downward from said mouth slot and behind said imitation chin.

9. A costume according to claim 8 in combination with an elastic tension member housed behind said chin and adapted to retract said tongue.

10. A costume according to claim 9 in which said elastic tension member has a predetermined fixed limit of stretch, whereby the wearer can exert tension on the entire garment at the point of attachment of said elastic tension member, greater than the elastic action of said tension member.

11. A costume according to claim 10 in which said tongue, when concealed, extends down in front below the level of said imitation collar.

12. A costume for securing theatrical illusions; said costume being adapted to be worn by a female performer, and comprising, in combination; a cup fitted to each breast of the wearer; said cups being connected by a cross member; each cup carrying insignia simulating an open eye; an imitation mouth; and an inconspicuous flexible tension member connected to each cup; said tension member, when not under manipulation by the wearer, hanging down in front of the body of the wearer, and being adapted to displace its cup up, down, or to either side when pulled in the desired direction by the wearer, with the hands of the wearer outside a circle of visibility encircling both cups; said imitation eyes and mouth being of approximately the proportions corresponding to a natural face several times as large as the actual face of the wearer; said imitation eyes and mouth being aflixed to an inconspicuous leotard fitted to the wearer; means for pulling the center of said cross member in a vertical direction, to draw both cups toward the center and produce a grotesque and cross-eyed appearance; said pulling means being an imitation nose; said nose having a forwardly offset top hook member for hanging it on said cross member; said nose being of approximately normal proportions compared with said eyes and mouth.

13. A costume for securing theatrical illusions comprising, in combination: an inconspicuous foundation garment covering the torso of the weaver; ornamentation carried by said foundation in imitation of the features of a.

human face large enough to cover the front of the torso, with the eyes at locations corresponding to the breasts of a female torso, and the other features approximately proportional; said features including protuberant imitation eyes; and inconspicuous tension means for each eye adapted to displace the eye up or down or to either side, to vary the facial expression of the entirety.

(References on following page) References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Read Nov. 10, 1936 Cohn May 9, 1939 Harmon Dec. 28, 1949 Reger June 27, 1950 6 Montez June 22, 1954 Bennett July 6, 1954 SWann Sept. 30, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS Switzerland Oct. 16, 1951

Claims

1. A COSTUME FOR SECURING THEATRICAL ILLUSIONS COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: AN INCONSPICUOUS FOUNDATION GARMENT; ORNAMENTATION CARRIED BY SAID FOUNDATION IN IMITATION OF THE FEATURES OF A FACE LARGE ENOUGH TO COVER THE FRONT OF THE TORSO, WITH THE EYES AT LOCATIONS CORRESPONDING TO THE BREASTS OF A FEMALE TORSO, AND THE OTHER FEATURES APPROXIMATELY PROPORTIONAL; SAID FEATURES INCLUDING AN IM-