Calling all GREEN HORNET fans (New pics in Post #7)

[temponaut]

Several months ago I ordered a custom-made replica of the chauffeur's cap worn by Bruce Lee as Kato in The Green Hornet. It's for a GH display I'm putting together.

The replica, made by Baron's Hats, has at last reached the "approval" stage. Before shipping, Baron's sends photographs to the client for review and approval. Baron's guarantees that they will do their best to satisfy the client's requests for changes.

I started scrutinizing the replica and noticed some things I liked, as well as a couple of things that didn't look quite right to me.

And then it hit me: Why trust my sole judgment when, to paraphrase Jerry Seinfeld, "I have access to some of the most deceitful, duplicitous, deceptive minds of our time. Who better to advise me?"

Uh... to put that in the positive light in which it's intended: the RPF is home to some the most knowledgable, exacting, observant prop and costume aficionados in the world. Rather than relying on my sole judgment, I'd like to call upon your collective sharp eyes and minds.

What changes, if any, should I ask Baron's to make to this replica?

Here are a few reference photos of the real thing, followed by the recreation Baron's has made for me.

First, the real McCoy:

And now the replica:

I would be grateful for your opinions and recommendations. I will make a list of them for Baron's. Please don't hold back; I'd like to hear your criticisms even if they might require major revisions. I'm not sure how far Baron's is willing to go in order to satisfy a client... but here's their guarantee:

"We guarantee Absolute Satisfaction - Absolutely 100% of the time.... Baron Hats will rework the hat, depending on the nature of the complaint, until the customer is satisfied with the hat."

And, for anyone who's interested, here's a link to Baron's Hats:

Baron's Hats

Many thanks in advance for any comments you can offer.





Thanks to WackyChimp, host extraordinnaire. :thumbsup

 

[hansicle]

Well, to me, the first thing is the strap above the visor doesn't look like it should be patton leather like the visor, and the original strap is rounded off at the ends instead of pointed, it also doesn't look like it has any stiching on it.. but it could just be the resolution of the original pics that you just don't see it. It's hard to say without seeing the opposite side of the original, but on your new version, there is a small rivit attaching the loop to the strap above the visor on one side. I don't see that rivit on the original on the same side.. but I'm not sure if it's on the opposite side of the original, or not there at all. The "Buttons" holding the strap on don't look like they should be gold or textured (I guess it's the design on the buttons they use) but look smooth, and dark... black or a dark gunmetal... that's about all I can see from the pics. It's hard to determine color issues without actually seeing an original, weather it's more of a charcoal grey or just a black that has been washed out by photography.

 

[misterfusion]

Also, the band part of the hat that goes around the head seems too tall, unless the top pat of the hat "settles" over it and makes it appear smaller in the original pics.

In addition, the band seem to be covered in a black ribbed material, as opposed to the same wool as the rest of the hat.

The button looks smooth and may even be leather covered.

Oh, and in looking, I found this nice composit that you might be able to use in your display.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/ape...e3view1024a.jpg

Keep us updated.

Steve

 

[misterfusion]

In fact, here's a standard chauffer hat available online with many of the charastics mentioned above.

Ribbed band, regular leather strap, flat buttons.

Have you thought about buying an existing hat and modifying it yourself?

Steve

 

[temponaut]

hansicle and misterfusion, thank you very much for your keen observations. All excellent.

misterfusion, thanks also for the additional images.

It actually did occur to me to try adapting an existing chauffeur's cap, and I searched at some length for a good candidate. But all of the ones I found had vertical seams running up the sides or sometimes right up the front. I couldn't see any such seams on the original. And seams are one thing I didn't think I could change or hide.

Thanks again, guys. I really appreciate your comments. :thumbsup Will keep you informed.

 

[temponaut]

<div class='quotetop'>(misterfusion @ Sep 2 2006, 02:12 AM) [snapback]1311247[/snapback]</div>

Keep us updated.[/b]

Here's the latest.

With the help of your suggestions and observations, I've sent the following analysis of the original cap vs. the Baron's prototype to Baron's, together with a request for modifications.


Analysis of Baron’s “Kato” Cap Recreation and Request for Modifications

KEY TO DIAGRAMS

A: ORIGINAL chinstrap is flat black leather; REPLICA is gloss/patent leather.

B: On ORIGINAL, space between top of leather strap and crown is narrower than on REPLICA.

C: ORIGINAL chinstrap is rounded at ends; REPLICA is pointed.

D: On ORIGINAL, buttons at ends of strap are flat black and smooth (leather covered?); buttons on REPLICA are gold and textured.

E: On ORIGINAL, ends of straps extend farther beyond loops than on REPLICA.

F: Rounded ends of straps on ORIGINAL appear to be slightly wider than strap itself, and/or have something embedded under the leather, in order to prevent slipping under loops.

G: On ORIGINAL, distance between ends of straps and buttons is greater than on REPLICA (overall length of chinstrap may be shorter?).

H: Left side of strap on REPLICA is secured with rivet; no such rivet appears on ORIGINAL.

I: Color of ORIGINAL appears to be darker than color of REPLICA (lighting in photographs could be a factor).

J: Fabric used in ORIGINAL appears to be softer than that used in REPLICA (note wrinkles).

K: On ORIGINAL, area between visor and crown incorporates a ribbed band (see L); REPLICA does not.

L: Example of ribbed band of similar type as on ORIGINAL; not sure if this band is part of the cap itself or removable. (Image of German officerÂ’s cap from hollywoodprop.com, used for example only.)

M: Distance between strap loops is less on ORIGINAL than on REPLICA (again, may indicate chinstrap on ORIGINAL is shorter overall than that on REPLICA).

Image of German officerÂ’s cap from hollywoodprop.com. Used for example only.


Thanks again to all who offered their suggestions. I'll let you know how Baron's responds. Stay tuned.




Thanks, Pilot, for hosting. :thumbsup

 

[temponaut]

Once again, I want to thank all of you who pointed out the shortcomings of my Baron's Kato Cap replica and offered suggestions for improvements. Thanks to your comments, I was able to present Baron's with a detailed list of revisions I wanted made to the replica.

This weekend, Baron's finally sent photos of the new, improved cap.

I'd like to ask again for the collective eagle eyes of the RPF to scrutinize this replica, compare it to the original, and identify any further modifications I should request.

First, the real Kato chauffeur's cap:

And now, the revised Baron's replica:

So... what do you all think?

Many thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions. :thumbsup





Thanks, WC and Pilot, for hosting.

 

[temponaut]

Still hoping for an opinion or two.

Does the revised version of the cap pass RPF muster?

 

[Pauleysolo]

The revisions make it look much closer to me.

 

[misterfusion]

MUCH better.

Looks like they decided to look at some reference pictures this time

Congrats.

Steve

 

[nick daring]

Looks great. Hard to give even minor changes.

Nick

 

[M Bison]

I ahve to agree with the others. The revision is probably as close to perfect as is possible. Its a very cool peice. Always loved Bruce Lee.

 

[temponaut]

Thanks very much to all of you who took the time to scrutinize the photos and offer your comments. I really appreciate it. :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

I'll contact Baron's and tell them I'm ready to take delivery.

Many thanks again.