Stanley Kubrick's controversial
Oscar-nominated 1971 dystopian future sci-fi classic was largely banned and made unavailable in
Britain for around twenty-seven years due to its depiction of extreme sexual violence. Having grown up in the
U.K. during this time, I found it even more interesting to see this collection of movie memorabilia for
A Clockwork Orange so openly displayed at
LACMA's Stanley Kubrick exhibit.
A Clockwork Orange movie display at the
Stanley Kubrick exhibit at LACMA
The exhibit at the
Los Angeles County Museum of Art was comprised mainly of reproduction costumes and props, but it did feature the original sword cane used by
Malcolm McDowell as the sociopathic delinquent
'Alex DeLarge' in the movie set in a futuristic
Britain.
A Clockwork Orange movie poster
Milena Canonero was the original
Costume Designer responsible for creating the now iconic look for
Alex and his ultra-violent thug gang of
'Droogs'.
At other ends of the spectrum, you can also see her
Oscar-winning period costume designs in Barry Lyndon and
outfits used in The Shining horror movie.
Reproduction of Alex DeLarge costume worn by Malcolm McDowell
and actual sword cane used in A Clockwork Orange
Also on display were mannequin reproductions of the
Korova Milk Bar maids, which have a real 70's vibe to them, used as set dressing and ornamental tables in the futuristic bar where the youth gangs indulge in the intoxicating
'milk plus' (from the mannequin's breasts no less).
Reproduction mannequins of the Korova Milk Bar maids
featured in A Clockwork Orange
It's amazing how the world has moved on and imagery like this is no longer as shocking as it was forty years ago, although the societal, political and economic themes of the movie, like gang violence, are still relevant today.
A Clockwork Orange movie poster
Buy the movie:
A Clockwork Orange [Blu-ray]
