This classic 1981 music video just came on, and I immediately said, “I need to Frock Flick this!” (Followed by “Trystan is going to be so pissed she didn’t think of this first”). Adam and the Ants are one of the most memorable of the early 1980s British New Wave bands, and their look (particularly associated with their album Kings of the Wild Frontier) was pivotal in creating the New Romantic fashion (and music) style of the early 1980s. And, clearly, it was a direct inspiration for Plunkett & Macleane (1999)’s New Romantic/18th-century mashup.
Stand and Deliver‘s video was apparently based on a Monty Python sketch “Dennis Moore,” in which an over-thinking-it highwayman pulls over a carriage and proceeds to rob them of their lupins (a flowering plant).
Adam and the Ants’s video begins with Adam fixing his makeup and looking VERY pretty:
I’m not totally sure on what’s going on with the gold braids … and is that white lipstick?
Cut to Adam sitting in a tree aiming his pistols, supposedly at a passing carriage, but I don’t have much faith in his aim here:
Maybe he’s hoping to hit a squirrel?
Inside the carriage are Miss Goth Universe 1981 and some loser with bad hair and a Walkman (Editor’s Note: For the young ‘uns, that’s a primitive form of iPod):
She’s got a sparkly black snood and a FABULOUSLY black and white striped dress, while he has a weird buzz cut.
Let us laugh at old technology — his Walkman looks like a VHS tape! I think she’s holding records? Can anyone spot what that one is?
Nice hat trimmings! Adam’s waistcoat is fabulous, too.
HOW MUCH DO I WANT THIS LOOK? SO MUCH!
Adam distracts them with a swishy dance:
Fear my pelvis!
And does some pretty sneering.
Meanwhile Adam’s bandmates are ready for the local pirate festival, while they hang with a redheaded version of Nancy Spungen from the Sid and Nancy (1986) movie:
Is she wearing a retainer? I’m serious here!
SO ready for adventures on the salty seas!
Little Drummer Boy is very committed to his nylon Grandma lace cravat!
Suddenly it’s night, and Adam decides to taunt his victims with a shiny, shiny mirror:
“No! Don’t show me my crappy buzz cut!”
“I don’t even have to look. I know I look FABulous.”
I suggest Johnny Depp play Adam in the biopic.
Suddenly, we cut to a fancy party in which every Princess Di lookalike is waitressing, dressed as a St. Pauli girl:
Sadly the camera pans too quickly, but there are like five different versions of this waitress. Note video arcade machine in back.
Here’s another (blurrier) one. I think the guy on the right is giving that baguette a blow job, but I’m not sure.
Who comes crashing through the window?
This just doesn’t seem like such a good idea.
Why, it’s our highwayman, armed with his fearsome mirror!
Apparently Miss Goth Universe 1981 and Crappy Buzz Cut got away? LOVE the “gold” chalices — the finest plastic!
PUPPIES! That poor mandolin(?) player just can’t shake Nancy Spungen, can he?
This guy is having a really good time in his sparkly renfaire doublet.
Apparently Adam isn’t a very good highwayman, because all it takes are two broody rocker boys to “catch” him:
I think those are goggles around right-hand brooder’s neck. Early steampunk?
Crappy Buzz Cut says “Take him away!” Miss Goth Universe 1981 and Rocky Horror Picture Show extra approve. The blonde on the left must be someone’s cousin.
Let’s hang him!
I so wish I was at this nightclub.
18th-century soldiers provide the drumming, while World War II soldiers provide the security.
We get closeups of all of the contenders for Goth Prom King and Queen:
I’m not sure how he got in, and I think he’s more of a Steely Dan fan, but I like her black lace veil.
I am SO VOTING FOR THESE TWO! I love that Rocky Horror Picture Show extra’s earrings match Too Pink for School’s hair!
I think they got the wrong extra call. The rich preppy movie is in the next studio.
Happy Renfaire Doublet Boy has a jaunty accessory there in his blue polyester eyelet lace cravat. Or wait, is that a print made of music notes? Sadly he doesn’t get a date.
Yes! A crimper has been deployed! She’s doing the Elegant Goth Thang.
Nancy Spungen has good jewelry, and her date has REALLY good eye makeup.
Mysteriously, Adam is able to just hop off the platform!
Maybe the soldiers were distracted by Blondie on the Left’s hideous sweater/top thingie?
World War II soldier boys are confused.
And we all scamper off to the local renfaire!
On the left, someone raided the Belly Dance Store. On the right, that is a REALLY hideous sweater/top/thingie.
Jaunty scampering ensues as pretty Adam fades in…
But wait! There are ominous Monty Python-esque monks portending … something!
This can’t be good!
Adam thinks about how naughty he’s been. Or he’s distracted by the gold braid constantly hanging in his eye. I’m not sure.
A final chance to admire a proper Gentleman Highwayman.
God I love this.
And back in the day I was totally the crimped blond elegant goth.
I can totally see that! (And I want to see pics!)
Oh, I LOVED this when it came. And Adam Ant was so pretty! And I feel so old…
You should do Karma Chameleon by Culture Club! That video is so strange.
I have never, ever, understood why the security is made up of Tuskeegee Airmen.
Because art.
Love this! I used to have an Adam Ant poster hanging on the back of my office door, so no one could see it except me when I had the door closed. Ah, those were the days. Also loved Plunkett & Mcleane — Alan Cumming just stole the show with his purple tricorn. Screenshots, please!
Trystan’s approach to costuming now has context.
And my approach to life!
For everything that’s dear – if you haven’t already, you MUST see Horrible Histories’ Dick Turpin/Adam Ant spoof/tribute: https://youtu.be/TpJuMO3FpBM?t=1m30s
That was quite possibly the best thing I’ve watched in recent memory. Although, his trousers could have been tighter…
True. But we don’t know his life.
This made me almost spit coffee over my keyboard.