John Wayne Kilted

[Dan R Porter]

I always wondered if they were really blue or if they were green, technicolor exploited many colours.

[Brother Falldown]

The legalities might become an issue if the picture gained wide circulation. On the other hand, if I could figure out how to post it I have an image of "Bill O'Cosby" that would pass for real. In fact, it may be, but I kind of doubt it. I don't think Cosby ever piped.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I always wondered if they were really blue or if they were green, technicolor exploited many colours.

I suspect it may be your TV set. Prior to 1950 (when Hollywood swapped over to the less expensive Kodak colour porcess) Technicolor was virtually the only colour process available to film makers. Although superior to the Kodak process, it had two drawbacks: cost and Natalie Kalmus.

Because the Technicolor process relied on three strips of film to produce the coloured image it cost more than the single strip Kodak process. It did, however, allow directors to control and enhance the colour to heighten the dramatic effect of a scene. Gone With The Wind is the perfect example of the use of this process effect.

Unfortunately, if a producer chose to use Technicolor, he was landed with Natalie Kalmus (sometime wife of Herbert Kalmus, the inventor of the Technicolor process). Her position on films was that of Technicolor Director, and depending on who you talk to, she could be quite a handful, trying to involve herself in everything from set design and costumes to makeup. Others just described her as "a bitch" and let it go at that.

John Ford worked with her on at least two pictures, and I suspect that was enough, as The Quiet Man isn't listed in Kalmus's film credits.

So, was the kilt green or blue? Well, if it's green and looks blue on your TV your set needs adjustment. The only way to really tell is to see the move in the theatre.