Style in film: Jeanne Moreau in ‘Bay of Angels’

Jeanne Moreau plays Jackie, a compulsive gambler, in Jacques Demy’s La baie des anges (Bay of Angels, 1963). She pursues the goal of a doomed and reckless passion. “I wanted to lay bare the workings of a passion” said the director. The gambling passion devours everything in Jackie, “it’s that expectation of something mysterious, it’s like a rite, a ritual”, explains Jeanne Moreau. Beautifully shot, with an otherworldly atmosphere and an engaging script delving into the mystique of gambling, rolling on the masterful music of Michel Legrand, the film is a demonstration of Moreau’s cinematic personality.

Usually known for his cheerful and colourful movies, Jacques Demy soberly filmed Bay of Angels in black and white. He wanted Jeanne Moreau’s costumes only in black and white as well and he chose Pierre Cardin to design them. Elegant outfits for the elegant beaches, bistros and casinos along the Côte d’Azur. With platinum blonde hair and impeccably dressed, Jackie “embodies sin for him” (her partner onscreen, Jean), “but she does not know it”.

The floral print, black and white dress is so strikingly beautiful. I loved it so much that I initially wanted to include only this one look in my post out of a total of three Jeanne Moreau is wearing throughout the movie. Low V-back, knee-length, body-conscious silhouette. Accessorized with a black hat or in various ways with a white scarf, of which one with its edges tied at the neck and the body of the scarf left to follow the line of the bare back.

The little black dress. So simple, so elegant. Again backless, but this time the back is tied in bows by two pairs of thin strings. Note the mid-calf hemline. Jackie is wearing this dress only with the feather boa wrapped around her.

The tailored suit. It would have been impossible not to be evoked in the film.

images: stills from ‘Bay of Angels’, captured by me; kindly link back to classiq if you use any of these images / production credits
Quotes, by Jacques Demy and Jeanne Moreau, from the special features on the DVD.

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21 Responses to Style in film: Jeanne Moreau in ‘Bay of Angels’

Andrea wrote on
--> 13 March 2012 at 10:56 am

I am definitely renting this this weekend – her outfits are exquisite!

Andrea x
Paola wrote on
--> 13 March 2012 at 11:11 am

I haven’t seen this film before! (And I am a classic movie buff)… ahh so much to watch so little time!

I think it is very interesting what you describe of the costumes, and it reminds me of the Grace Kelley exhibition here in London where they brought her outfits from movies such as HIgh Society. I found it incredible how the costume designer actually designed the clothes, not just chose them. (Silly me!)

Paola

http://www.ThePvdHJournal.com
Helen @ TheStyleSchedule wrote on
--> 13 March 2012 at 11:14 am

Stunning! I love that length below the knee to mid calf – always used to wear that length. I haven’t seen this movie so I’ll have to hunt it down. Beautifully captured stills Ada. xx
LittleRus wrote on
--> 13 March 2012 at 11:38 am

Wow…. I thought the first dress was fabulous, but as I scrolled down I loved the rest very much, too. And those string with a bow detail of the back???!!!! How sensual and flirty is that! Just stunning. x
Odessa wrote on
--> 13 March 2012 at 11:56 am

Another film to add to my list! I love the elegance and chicness of women back then. xoxo
Captivated by image wrote on
--> 13 March 2012 at 1:16 pm

The low neck and backless dresses are so elegant, I particularly love the black and white printed one. Very timeless. Hope you are having a lovely day 🙂
Rachel {little bits of lovely} wrote on
--> 13 March 2012 at 1:43 pm

Were women a lot more elegant and refined in the 60s than they are now? Her dresses are fabulous + she looks ever so chic. I need to rent this movie now! xx
LatteLisa wrote on
--> 13 March 2012 at 1:56 pm

This post is a feast for the eyes! The outfits are beautiful but I perfectly get why you first thought about using only that first dress. It’s beautiful; that second photo simply took my breath away.

I’ll be looking for this film at the library on Saturday 😉
design traveller wrote on
--> 13 March 2012 at 4:53 pm

that white flowery dress…
!!!
Nice review Ada 🙂
mary jo wrote on
--> 13 March 2012 at 6:23 pm

You are making me want to rent that video right now! Her dresses are amazing! I cannot believe that I haven’t seen this! Thank you for writing about it–the floral b&w dress kills me along with that little black dress with the string bows…and the fur wrap…

xo Mary Jo
colores wrote on
--> 13 March 2012 at 6:45 pm

Hi Ada, how are you? This is the style of films I like most! and the fasion at that time was really chic!!!! bacio
U. Anton wrote on
--> 13 March 2012 at 7:00 pm

Simply gorgeous! Thank you for yet another wonderful article:)
Alexa wrote on
--> 13 March 2012 at 8:02 pm

Her style is just amazing…gorgeous! xo
Not Just A Pretty Dress wrote on
--> 13 March 2012 at 8:49 pm

The floral dress and the white ensemble are so timeless and elegant! I haven’t watched this movie and thanks to your blog I’m preparing a list of films I would like to see, at least for the beautiful wardrobe…
Meghan @ Wishful Thinking wrote on
--> 13 March 2012 at 11:45 pm

Another one I haven’t seen! She looks so polished and elegant in each shot – but my absolute favourite has to be the floral black and white print dress! It’s just the kind of dress I have been looking for.
Tamra {ever swoon} wrote on
--> 14 March 2012 at 7:03 am

The back of the floral print dress is just divine!
Nicole wrote on
--> 14 March 2012 at 9:52 am

I think you should email a list of vintage films I should watch 🙂 The outfits look amazing in this film!
xx
Sarah Klassen wrote on
--> 14 March 2012 at 7:52 pm

Oh my goodness, yes! I think that I have just *sigh*ed about 3x looking through the images and reading… as lovely as can be—thank you for the tip! x
Stephen Jay wrote on
--> 31 July 2012 at 11:15 pm

One of my favourite ever films. I have watched it at least 3 times.
Jeanne Moreau is simply a great, great actress. She took my breath away in this film her first.
I just love that white ensemble.
James Patterson wrote on
--> 11 July 2018 at 4:39 pm

I saw Bay of Angels last evening at the Fench Embassy in Washingon! I’d not seen it and I was stunned by its realism and power. Brilliant!
James Patterson wrote on
--> 11 July 2018 at 4:42 pm

I saw Bay of Angels at an important time as Sports Gambling has just been legalised in the United States. I’ll never forget Jeanne Moreau’s sad, sad addiction in Bay of Angels. Magnificent!