# Famous Hats of Film and Literature (Spoilers Possible) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 29, 2007, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085 "2007-04-29T20:43:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/41 "2007-04-30T17:12:37Z")
The opening of **Miller’s Crossing** famously begins with a hat blowing along the title location (a dream/foreshadow of Tom’s). “Nothing more foolish than a man chasin’ his hat.” The ending of _The Thomas Crown Affair_ remake uses the ubiquitous Magritte bowler to good effect. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/42 "2007-04-30T17:22:07Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] “Nothing more foolish than a man chasin’ his hat.” [/QUOTE] G. K. Chesterton would disagree. [QUOTE=G. K. Chesterton] For instance, there is a current impression that it is unpleasant to have to run after one’s hat. Why should it be unpleasant to the well-ordered and pious mind? Not merely because it is running, and running exhausts one. The same people run much faster in games and sports. The same people run much more eagerly after an uninteresting; little leather ball than they will after a nice silk hat. There is an idea that it is humiliating to run after one’s hat; and when people say it is humiliating they mean that it is comic. It certainly is comic; but man is a very comic creature, and most of the things he does are comic - eating, for instance. And the most comic things of all are exactly the things that are most worth doing - such as making love. A man running after a hat is not half so ridiculous as a man running after a wife. Now a man could, if he felt rightly in the matter, run after his hat with the manliest ardour and the most sacred joy. He might regard himself as a jolly huntsman pursuing a wild animal, for certainly no animal could be wilder. In fact, I am inclined to believe that hat-hunting on windy days will be the sport of the upper classes in the future. There will be a meet of ladies and gentlemen on some high ground on a gusty morning. They will be told that the professional attendants have started a hat in such-and-such a thicket, or whatever be the technical term. Notice that this employment will in the fullest degree combine sport with humanitarianism. The hunters would feel that they were not inflicting pain. Nay, they would feel that they were inflicting pleasure, rich, almost riotous pleasure, upon the people who were looking on. When last I saw an old gentleman running after his hat in Hyde Park, I told him that a heart so benevolent as his ought to be filled with peace and thanks at the thought of how much unaffected pleasure his every gesture and bodily attitude were at that moment giving to the crowd. [/QUOTE] from [On Running After One’s Hat](http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/gkc16004.htm) ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/43 "2007-04-30T18:03:07Z")
As Tom would say, “If I’d known we were gonna cast our feelings into words, I’d’ve memorized the Song of Solomon.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/44 "2007-04-30T18:19:37Z")
> [@](#): > > by **Sampiro** > One of the biggest fads of all time was the Fess Parker/Davy Crockett inspired coonskin caps. . . . . . I didn’t realize that the coon tails were real. (The cap was of fake fur so I assumed the tail was as well.) My cap was not fake fur! It was genuine rabbit fur! > [@](#): > > by **Thudlow Boink** > A man running after a hat is not half so ridiculous . . . . . My dad grew up in ranch country. He said that you should never hire a cowboy who rolled his own cigarettes or who wore a straw hat. “If he wasn’t trying to roll a cigarette in the wind, he was always chasing that @#$% hat.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/45 "2007-04-30T18:19:45Z")
[QUOTE=rowrrbazzle] The Mad Hatter’s hat: [The Mad Hatter at the Court of Hearts — Illustration by John Tenniel for Alice in Wonderland](http://www.victorianweb.org/art/illustration/tenniel/alice/11.2.html) [/QUOTE] I think you mean this [guy.](http://www.elleryqueenshow.com/dw-madhat.gif) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/46 "2007-04-30T18:43:13Z")
[QUOTE=Full Metal Lotus] Another thought on hats In the movie Brazil, the main characters mother wore a hat that looked just like an inverted high heel shoe… fml [/QUOTE] A direct reference to a [famous design](http://www.artnet.com/Magazine/people/barone/barone10-3-6.asp) by Elsa Schiapparelli. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/47 "2007-04-30T19:01:40Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] The opening of **Miller’s Crossing** famously begins with a hat blowing along the title location (a dream/foreshadow of Tom’s). [/QUOTE] _Miller’s Crossing_ has another hat, apparently quite a tall hat, that is never seen, but engenders quite a bit of discussion among the film’s characters. In particular, who has it, and who is attempting to give it to whom. Also, from the Disc, Rincewind’s hat says “wizard” like no other. Specifically, is says “WIZZARD” ---
**Author:** ![Your\_Ad\_Here](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/b2d939/32.png) [@Your\_Ad\_Here](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Your_Ad_Here)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/48 "2007-04-30T19:16:57Z")
Gilligan, The Skipper, Mushmouth, Dumb Donald, Elmer Fudd. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/49 "2007-04-30T19:24:59Z")
I always liked [Goofy’s hat.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Goofyimagecomics.jpg) It was rather, well - goofy! ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/50 "2007-04-30T19:34:03Z")
Paddington Bear needed his hat in order to carry his marmalade sandwiches with him. > **[Paddington Bear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddington_Bear)** > > Paddington Bear is a fictional character in children's literature. He first appeared on 13 October 1958 in the children's book A Bear Called Paddington and has been featured in more than twenty books written by British author Michael Bond, and illustrated by Peggy Fortnum, David McKee, and other artists. > The friendly spectacled bear from "darkest Peru" – with his old hat, battered suitcase, duffel coat and love of marmalade sandwiches – has become a classic character in children's literature.... ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/51 "2007-04-30T19:39:00Z")
Ooh- Don’t forget the tinfoil hats from **Signs**. ---
**Author:** ![kingpengvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/52 "2007-04-30T19:40:47Z")
[QUOTE=Miller] _Miller’s Crossing_ has another hat, apparently quite a tall hat, that is never seen, but engenders quite a bit of discussion among the film’s characters. In particular, who has it, and who is attempting to give it to whom. [/QUOTE] I’m assuming your tounge is firmly planted in your cheek on that one. For those not in the Know he is refering to teh saying “giving him the high hat” or brushing someone off. But Miller’s crossing has a hell of a lot of hat/headpiece imagry. “Rug” Daniels missing rug Tom Figurativly chasing after his hat (Going to Vernas to get it back after he lost it in a poker game.) Tictac tossing his away before he beats on Tom. Everytime Leo is shown as week he has his hat in hand. Bernie is first seen with his bowler on his foot. It seems too small for his head… even smaller when it is found in “drop” Daniels home. The closing shot of Tom staring up under the brim of his hat. Lot’s o’ hats… proabaly more examples I have missed. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/53 "2007-04-30T20:38:41Z")
The Archchancellor’s Hat in _Sourcery_ by Terry Pratchett fights a magical war. _The Moment of the Magician_ by Alan Dean Foster, a low class stage magician in transferred to a fantasy world and can work real magic, including various tricks with his hat, like summoning things from it. When pushed to his limit, he manages to summon Death itself from the hat - which promptly takes him. If crowns count, there are various important fictional ones. The Crown of Alkyra in _Shadow Magic_ by Patricia Wrede is the lost symbol of kingship, and can be only be worn by the rightful ruler ( because it fries anybody else who tries ). It’s recovered by the story’s heroine, who uses it to help stop an invading army, defeat it’s Shadow-Born leaders and becomes Queen. The search for the lost crown of Thalasia was a central point in David Edding’s _The Ruby Knight_. ---
**Author:** ![CaerieD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@CaerieD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaerieD)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/54 "2007-04-30T21:02:15Z")
[QUOTE=Thudlow Boink] [Go Dog Go] Do you like my hat? [/Go Dog Go] [/QUOTE] [Go Dog Go] I do! What a hat! I like it! I like that party hat! [/Go Dog Go] It physically pained me to see that question go unanswered, just so you know. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/55 "2007-04-30T21:09:26Z")
“A man walks down the street in that hat, people know he’s not afraid of anything.” ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/56 "2007-04-30T21:15:24Z")
Ted Knight’s fruit-stripe hat from Caddyshack. “What, when you buy a hat like this I bet you get a free bowl of soup, huh?” ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/57 "2007-04-30T21:24:48Z")
[QUOTE=TV time] Rocky the squirrel’s flying helmet [/QUOTE] Hey Rocky! Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat! ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/58 "2007-04-30T21:33:10Z")
[QUOTE=Biffy the Elephant Shrew] Hey Rocky! Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat! [/QUOTE] Again? ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/59 "2007-04-30T22:19:38Z")
[QUOTE=BMalion] Again? [/QUOTE] Nothin’ up my sleeve…presto! ---
**Author:** ![Mouse\_Maven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@Mouse\_Maven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mouse_Maven)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2007, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085/60 "2007-04-30T22:45:01Z")
[QUOTE=Der Trihs] The Archchancellor’s Hat in _Sourcery_ by Terry Pratchett fights a magical war. [/QUOTE] ThankyouThankyouThankyou! 😃 I’ve been going _mad_ trying to remember a hat I read about in a Terry Pratchett novel. Keep the famous head gear coming! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-hats-of-film-and-literature-spoilers-possible/402085.md?page=4)