Published: August 5, 2023

THE ICON NEWSLETTER

8.5.23

Nicolas Cage has undergone many transformations in his career, from passionate, angst-ridden opera enthusiast to manic vampire, to action hero, and beyond.

My favorite period in his oeuvre remains the 1980s. One of his most underrated performances from that period is as Charlie in his uncle, Francis Ford Coppola’s 1986 film Peggy Sue Got Married. In our upcoming Legends: Hollywood and Royalty auction, we are currently offering a photo-matched, custom-made, 1960s-style jacket worn by Cage in the climactic scene of the film. Undoubtedly, some of Nicolas Cage’s cool will wear off on anyone who wears it.

In Peggy Sue Got Married, Kathleen Turner plays a divorcee who faints at her 25th high school reunion in 1985, and is transported back to 1960 to re-experience her high school years – but this time with the wisdom of adulthood.

Things get complicated when she encounters her boyfriend (Cage), who she now knows will one day be her ex-husband. Cage consciously plays Charlie in a caricatured style, using an almost cartoonish voice. This bold choice—one of many that he’s made in his career—has often been criticized. But by emphasizing the character’s youth to the point of ridiculousness, we see him as Peggy Sue likely does (can you imagine dating your teenage high school boyfriend in your 40s?!).

Cage wears the jacket in two scenes: the first in Peggy Sue’s basement, when he wakes her in the middle of the night, angry that she was seen with another guy, and later in the rain outside a greenhouse in Peggy Sue’s touching last scene before she returns to the present time.

The jacket was made by Nicky Sherlock of PZAZZ Designs Costumes, who employed Bill Belew and Gene Doucette while they made Elvis Presley’s jumpsuits. The company, which opened in the late 1960s, folded at the time of Peggy Sue‘s production, making this one of the last items from their storied existence.

Be sure to check out our Legends: Hollywood and Royalty auction to bid on this and other film-worn costumes that will give your wardrobe a little stardust!