Soon after getting hired by J. Press to do their public relations in 2005, I went by the store on 44th Street to introduce myself to the manager and the salesmen there. I got a chance to meet some of the old timers and so began the relationship with one of my most memorable clients. One particularly entertaining salesman — a gent named David Wilder, (who actually still works in the New York store) — was always amusing. When I introduced myself to David as the new PR guy he says to me: “Just like Sidney Falco” and I couldn’t help but to laugh. Only at J. Press would someone make that connection. Over the two and a half years I worked with J. Press David also famously (in my mind) said that “21 Club is the J. Press of restaurants” and that “Mad Men was the J. Press of TV shows.”

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There is a great photo set (by Edward Clark) in the LIFE archive of Marlon Brando preparing for his 1950 film debut The Men. The story was based on a group of returning WWII vets that had to cope with the mental and physical injuries of war. After coming off of his role in Broadway’s Streetcar Named Desire, Marlon Brando spent a lot of time at a VA hospital preparing for movie.

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Thinking about getting that written on a calling card, “Have Gun — Will Travel” just like Paladin in the late 50s, early 60s Western TV and radio show of the same name. I obviously wasn’t around to see any of this show on TV, but I was watching Stand by Me over Thanksgiving and the fellas were singing the theme song throughout the movie. Interestingly enough, the theme song was also sung as a cadence in the movie Full Metal Jacket, one of my all time favorites. I have been watching Have Gun Will Travel on DVD via Netflix and the series has become some sort of a guilty pleasure. The Western genre really has some gems and this series does not disappoint. Hell, Charles Bronson even shows up in the first season.

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An ACL reader and frequent tipster sent in a suggestion for The American List that I thought deserved a little more attention than a simple listing. Greenville, South Carolina based Shuron Ltd, is an eye wear manufacturer that has been turning out frames since the time of the Civil War. The company is most well known for their sixties style frames, but Shuron is also famous for being a sunglasses supplier for the U.S. military in WWII. These iconic sunglasses — now called the “MacArthur” after the famous Army General Douglas MacArthur — are still offered today. (Thanks to Michael for the tip)

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Not Metropolitan or Wall Street, I’m talking about Trading Places. The 1983 comedy set in old-money Philadelphia is a perfectly costumed dose of 1980s Prep / Wasp goodness. The subject matter may be tongue-in-cheek, but you would be hard pressed to find a more preppy styled movie.

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My business partner Ali always says that the Independent Spirit Awards are by far her favorite awards show. “They are just so casual, so fun and relaxed” she says. The guys came out dressed just like Ali said, casual and comfortable. Definitely how I would want to dress for an awards show.

JOSH HARTNETT HAS GOOD STYLE. ANY IDEA WHO MAKES THAT JACKET?

MY FRIEND ROB DRESSED RAINN WILSON FOR THE EVENT. I LIKE HIS NERDY LOOK. WONDER WHAT HIS SHOES LOOKED LIKE?

GLEN HANSARD FROM THE MOVIE ONCE LOOKED GOOD IN SPURR DENIM.

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The guys over at Men’s Vogue put together an amazing feature on movies that influenced men’s fashion. You can see the entire story here.

Some of my favorites below:

Plein Soliel (1960)

The Graduate (1967)

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