The Fat Man

Julie London Photograph with Rock Hudson

Julie London Photograph from The Fat Man

Do you think Julie had two versions of the same dress one black, one red?

Julie having genuine fun with J. Scott Smart on the set.

Julie just seems a tad cool to Rock Hudson’s advances. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that!)

OK...Here’s the deal. Below on the left is a studio portrait of the beautiful Ava Gardner for the 1946 film, The Killers. That movie also starred Burt Lancaster and launched the “film noire” genre. The movie was produced by Universal Studios.

In 1951, Universal Studios also made Julie’s film, The Fat Man. Reviews I’ve read, said this film was made on the cheap. I think the wardrobe department pulled Ava’s five-year-old dress out of moth balls and moved the strap to the opposite shoulder for Julie to wear.

If Julie was aware of this, she would be mortified. Check out the article link on this web site regarding Julie and her wardrobe.

Julie London dancing with J Scott Smart in a slinky black dress

Julie London in a slinky black dress with a cagrette

Ava Gardner sitting on a table in a slinky dress from the movie The Killers

Ava Gardner working it in a slinky black dress in 1946 from the movie The Killers

Julie London in a slinky black dress from The Fat Man movie

Ava Gardner and Julie London doing a great job working the same slinky black dress.

(Please note, Ava is wearing opera gloves. How did Julie miss this opportunity?)

Julie London in a black dress from the movie The Fat Man

Julie London and Rock Hudson in the movie The Fat Man