The official trailer for the new Green Hornet flick is out. It seems a little off somehow. I know what’s missing. The Green Hornet, aka Brit Reid, is the Great Nephew of The Lone Ranger. That’s right. The important vigilante, good-doer heritage is missing. Well, at least from the trailer. Maybe it’s in the film, I don’t know.

It’s like it can’t decide if it’s a comedy starring Seth Rogen or a film by Michel Gondry. I don’t think the studio could decide either. All I know is Kato has some mighty big shoes to fill.

I loved The Lone Ranger. I met him (Clayton Moore) once when I was kid. He was a hero to my cousins and I because he only fired his precious silver bullets when absolutely necessary and never to kill. I guess the Punisher didn’t watch a lot of The Lone Ranger.

I encourage all of you to read The Lone Ranger and Green Hornet comic books, watch the TV shows, and listen to the radio serials. It’s pretty good stuff. I’d love to see more people dress in costumes inspired by the Lone Ranger, Tonto, Green Hornet, and Kato.

Kato……the MAN!

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It’s summer and you’re going to or hosting a luau but the coconut bra you picked up at the local party store is made for Pollyanna and you’re Jayne Mansfield. What do you do? You could wear a swimsuit. You could wear a colorful tubetop or halter top like you’d see at a hula show on the islands. Or you could make your own coconut bra.

Here are two ways to make your own coconut bra.

First up is the my preferred method. I bought some molded bra inserts for bathing suits from the notions aisle at the fabric store. I then covered them with two coats of fabric stiffener for rigidity and coconut sound. Once dry, maybe two days, I painted the cups with two different shades of brown. To give them the appearance of real coconuts, I rubbed the different colors on with a paper towel. They are light and dark in various spots. Lastly, I punched some holes along the edges and tied on some twine.

The next method involves plaster strips. Just like in our mask making, you’ll need a form. The form can be you, covered in plastic, or a dummy of you. I suggest an old stuffed bra. Wet and layer the plaster gauze. After a few days of layers and drying, paint the new coconuts and add the twine.

Get out there and show your wares.

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This summer invite your friends, family, and neighbors over to the backyard for a Luau. Fire up the grill for fruity meaty kabobs or stoke the smoker for slow cooked pork…mmmm. Load the jukebox with Don Ho and hula the night away.

You can send tiki or pineapple shaped invitations. Greet your guests with leis or cut flowers for their hair. Serve dinner late in the evening, just at sunset, and have lots of refreshing fruity drinks available with and without alcohol. Plan silly games like a coconut run or hula hoop contest. And of course, encourage everyone to wear the proper attire.

What’s the proper attire? Grass skirts, Hawaiian shirts, Panama hats, and board shorts.

You could keep it simple with basic luau gear of skirts, shorts, and baggy shirts. Let’s get creative and look for inspiration. If you’re tone and tan and proud of it, take your cues from The Blue Lagoon. Try a couples costume reminiscent of Brooke and Christopher.

Don’t stop there. Watch movies like Gidget Goes Hawaiian, Lilo & Stitch, and Blue Hawaii. Don’t forget the myriad of TV shows that feature island and luau fun: Gilligan’s Island, Fantasy Island, Magnum P.I., and of course The Brady Bunch three episode Hawaiian vacation.

Watch Tiki Bar TV for ideas and absurdity. But be careful not to fall in love with Lala…she’s addicting.

Don’t forget the tiki torches! Have fun!

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Most Extreme Elimination Challenge, or MXC from the Spike channel has gotten a lot of viewing in or home over the years. In fact, ManWithPez has asked several times for a Captain Tenneal costume. Today, we’re going to have a look at some of the costumes from the main cast of this oddly funny, yet reclaimed Japanese gameshow.

You see, MXC started life as a quirky Japanese show (is there any other kind?) called Operation! Takeshi’s Castle. The premise was simple: General Lee (We’re not making that up.) would assemble 100 contestants to go through different challenges to enter the evil Beat Takeshi’s castle. If the contestants got far enough, they would face Takeshi in a challenge at the end of the show. MXC was born when some folks decided to do some creative dubbing. Now, let’s take a look at some of the costumes from this hilarious show. The upside to dressing in a group with these costumes is that you CAN go off by yourself and still be recognized from MXC!

Kenny Blankenship/Vic Romano: Takeshi and his henchman from Takeshi’s Castle have now been turned into color commentators for MXC! Kenny, the younger, only has his mind on pizza, beer, and women. Seasoned anchor Vic is more interested in professionalism, though at times, we are offered glimpses into his troubled past as an alcoholic with several ex-wives. You would need some kind of pole to reinforce the shoulders of the costume, and if you’re lucky enough to find the particular patterns of fabric (looks like silk or satin), simply fold over the pole fastened at the shoulders and tie at the waist. Matching gaucho/samurai pants would finish off these unwieldy costumes. It’s important that Vic Romano has a paper fan with which he can constantly whack Kenny in the head with, just like on the show.

Captain Tenneal: This one’s a little more advanced. The Captain wears a black or white jacket with gold epaulettes on it, braids and all. There is a dragon design on each side of the chest. The black jacket is adorned in gold piping and decoration, while the white is done in red. Matching pants set it off, and Captain Tenneal is usually wearing yellow rain boots, as most of the obstacles in the show have mud or water involved. The pants have a gold or red stripe running down them. Another important accessory is the Captain’s sword (a $39.95 family heirloom we’re told in one episode). It’s a collapsible walking stick, roughly four feet long, white, with a black handle. It’s what the Captain uses to usher the contestants into the next “activity”. Usually with a cry of “LET’S GO” or “GET IT ON!”

Guy LeDouche: For the disturbingly funny Guy (pronounced GuhEE), things get a little simpler. Guy** wears a long sleeved khaki camp shirt, khaki shorts, and a pith helmet. This would be another costume where the ever important moustache is in evidence. On Guy’s left arm is an armband, usually black, but it has been several different colors throughout the show. Guy also wears rain boots. It is vastly important that you carry a microphone while in this costume. Guy is NEVER seen without his mic. In the show, Guy is a lovable old pervert who occasionally laughs maniacally into the camera for no reason, usually ending his sentences with the phrase “Guy like.” Have fun with this one!

The Contestants: The 100 contestants who would start every episode of MXC were usually all wearing costumes of their own make and design on the show. There were some overarching themes, though. Baseball uniforms were in evidence in almost every episode. Also, for certain contests, such as Wall Bangers the contestants were required to wear show costumes. In that particular case, it was a white jumpsuit (velcro actually), a helmet, with bug attenae, and wings.

Hey, it’s a Japanese gameshow, what are you expecting? College sweatshirts? The contestants were required to wear a red bicycle helmet, elbow and knee pads, and gloves. Also, the end result of nearly every event was that the contestant would be covered in mud or water, so bear that in mind. It wouldn’t be untoward to make a costume consisting of shorts, a t-shirt, the helmet, the pads, and gloves. As long as you’re wearing this getup and covered in mud, you’ll be recognized as a contestant from MXC.

If you get this awesome group together for an ensemble, you’ll have one of the better groups of costumes out there. The trick to being recognized in these costumes is the accessories. For the different members, you’ll need the sword, the microphone, the fan, and the helmet/pads. Just don’t get caught up doing what these people actually do on TV. I doubt your host would be all that forgiving of such behavior.

Here are a few more pictures for reference and a clip for fun.

**Also of note, there have been several different variations on Guy’s characters, to include Granny LeDouche, Goon LeDouche (Guy’s much younger nephew), and Gise LeDouche (A younger, female version), so you can include almost anyone in the costume, but we here at ThatCostumeGirl feel strongly that a moustache should be in the mix, no matter WHO is in the costume. Have a gang of Guys at your next costume party.

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I’m a soccer fan.

I started playing soccer at the age of 5 after watching my dad play on a rec team with some friends. It looked like a lot of fun**. Luckily for me, I grew up near one of the professional soccer teams of the 80s. Sure, we only won one championship and were known for being one of the dirtiest teams in the league, but as a kid I loved watching my home team.

These days I turn in for the big games. The tournaments, the championships, and of course the World Cup. Like any good sport fan knows, the proper attire for supporting your team is absolutely necessary. Here’s a brief run down of what you can do before flying to South Africa…or the local sports bar.

1. Wear a goofy annoying hat. My choice is a modified soccer ball. Cut off the bottom, remove the bladder and decorate to your heart’s content. Wear it like a Gladiatorial helmet.

2. Crazy socks are a staple on the field as well as off the field. Find a pair in your team’s colors and wear them for every game.

3. Team shirts are a must. Official or home made, it doesn’t matter. My father, mother, and I wore plane yellow tshirts to a Brazil quarter-final match because it was all we had. It kicked butt.

4. Face paint. It’s universally accepted by all sports fans everywhere. It’s simple and effective. You can pick up some face crayons at a craft or party store or use makeup. Be bold. This is no time to worry about how pretty you are.

5. You need props. In baseball they have pennants, in soccer they have scarves. It may be hot this summer in the USA, but it’s winter in South Africa. Foam hands, signs, and toys are all acceptable choices.

There you go. You’re ready to to get crazy for the World Cup.

I did!

**Do you know many kids in Under 8 soccer who get carded? Me! I didn’t know little kids weren’t allowed to tackle. It’s a safety thing of course, but I was heartbroken because I was carded while my adult soccer heroes could tackle all they wanted.

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Here is the fantastic Weeping Angel from the Doctor Who episode Blink. Read her tutorial. Her tricks on making herself look like stone are inspired. Enjoy her story of meeting Jewel Staite.

Here’s a quick clip from the episode to give you an idea of how tricky and terrifying the Weeping Angels are.

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The opening game is June 11th between South Africa and Mexico. Are you ready for the new kits/uniforms? Are you ready for the fans? Are you ready for the biggest sporting event in the world? I am.

USA is up against England on June 12th. It will be a tough match. Wear all your good luck and fan mojo gear on Saturday.

Here’s one of the awesome World Cup commercials that will fill the airways this summer. This one’s from Nike.

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