Thirty-two years ago this month — June 12th to be exact — George Lucas and Steven Spielberg teamed up and gave movie fans all across the globe something to really cheer about: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Harrison Ford, playing the matinee idol-like university professor-archeologist-treasure hunter, armed with a bullwhip and sporting a wide-brim hat, flew into action against the Nazi’s in search of the Ark of the Covenant.
Indiana returned to the big screen three more times bringing in a global sum at the box office of just under $2B (USD); and, that doesn’t take into account a TV series spinoff or all of the collective merchandising of the Indie brand.
Victorious in all of his adventures, independent Indie was great at knocking off the bad guys, usually with one hand, or both, tied behind his back, and bringing home the bacon; but, it was Dr. Jones’ hat that really stole the show.
Admit it, Ford was the perfect guy for the action-hero role, but it was that battered and beaten hat, not Junior’s battered and beaten mug, that was the true star of the Indiana Jones quartet of movies.
Granted, Hans Solo-turned-Indiana Jones wore that hat as well as Bogart or Delon, but it was that dirty, dusty, sweaty fedora that singlehandedly made the character and brought audiences to their feet every time it blew back onto the screen.
Doc Jones’ hat — a fedora model called the Poet — was handmade by Herbert Johnson Hatters of England. And, just like Ford’s Indiana, I, too, don a hat, an Italian Borsalino, as The Palladian Traveler.
Now that the hot summer weather has arrived, I’ve put my black winter “B” away, and am now sporting a summer “B” that I picked up earlier this week at Cappellieria Palladio, an historic hat shop in Vicenza.
It’s a stylish white Panama hat with a black band that’s going to be perfect for covering my noggin’. I just hope I can keep it a bit cleaner than Indie did his.
Whaddya think? Cool enough to wear along the cobblestone to somewhere?
Like Indie — sans the bullwhip, but with a laptop and camera — I, too, hate snakes, but love hats.
It’s a shame Indiana won’t be donning the Poet and flying into action ever again. At least he left us with four great titles on DVD/Blue-ray/online to watch again and again, and cheer some more.
©The Palladian Traveler | ©Tom Palladio Images
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WhaddaI think? I think it is cool beyond measure. I bet you are every bit as sexy in it as Indy – and I thought he was really sexy. Has it really been 32 years ago? I was just a youngster when it came out – well a grown up youngster.
Pat — I might have the right head for hats, but I don’t think I could give Indiana a run for his money in the sexy category. Yes, it’s been 32 long years since Raiders premiered in 1981. Wowzers! And thanks for the thumbs-up on the new white hat. I guess that makes me a good guy.
I dunno about the Panama and an Indi image, Tom – i think it’s more a man about town, sauntering down the boulevards type of hat myself! And a black band – isn’t that a bit conservative for the man of many (coloured) shirts? Glad to hear it’s official – summer’s arrived. Makes that Prosecco on the balcony idea very appealing 🙂
I wasn’t attempting to compare TPT to Dr.Jones, just the fact that we both wear good-looking hats. It was a way to present the 32nd anniversary of Raiders and get a plug in for my summer B. I’ll sport the “B” if you climb up to my balcony for that Prosecco. 🙂
Oh, I think a very adventurous segue into TPT and his summer hat, and though I haven’t climbed vines for a while, for a sundowner Prosecco and entertaining conversation i’ll give it a go 🙂
Better yet, I’ll leave a ladder out down below. Throw a few pebbles against the window so I know you’re on your way up. 🙂
Adventure for the faint hearted? Na – I’ve gotta do better than a ladder … 🙂
And I’m betting you wear it well Tom!
I do my best, Marion. 🙂
Time for a self portrait with the new hat Tom.
I may have a hat-worthy head suitable for viewing, but the mug? Hmm.
Love your hat, Tom, and love Indy and his, too. I have an Aussie cowboy hat that looks a lot like his and I have a LOT of dress hats as well. Love hats!! I think you should post a picture of you perambulating while wearing your hat.
janet
You look pretty cool in your Aussie. If I can get someone to get behind my camera maybe I’ll get a few shots of me sporting my white B. We’ll see.
The hat looks very cool Tom. I love hats too, but hate the “hat hair” look when I take the hat off during the day. Aren’t you fortunate you don’t have that problem!!
Oh, I’ve got that problem, too, but I’d rather be covered than fried on top.
I love this! I remember telling my husband at the time, “Honey, if I couldn’t have you, I’d have Indiana Jones.” But really, I think it was the hat I wanted.
It was the hat that made Indiana, like the B makes TPT. Thanks! 🙂
Perfetto, Tom. I like a man who can wear a hat well.
Thanks, Jill!