These pages are for reference for anyone who is interested in creating a Green Hornet/Kato costume, an accurate model/action figure or anyone in general who is a fan of the show!
One of the main problems other than finding the correct style of GH hat, GH
mask and GH jacket is that they all must be approximately the same shade of
green, I think this has been referred to as "midnight green". Mismatching the colors does not look right! This will be a problem when buying from different sources/vendors! These pictures are saved
from various sources, many have different shading due to photographic
processes/lighting, some pre-show publicity shots but I think what we are
striving for is what was shown in the TV episodes. (p.s. there were at least 2 complete sets of GH/Kato costumes as seen in the episode "Alias The Scarf")
Links below for the Mask and Weapons,Gadgets,Props page!
Green Hornet attire
--Fedora/trilby hat..... rolled edge around flexible brim, width of the hat
band (very important for the look), correct band bow, full front to back dented
crown, 2 front dimples (some vintage "Dobbs 5th Avenue" hats look right)
cyproductions.com has an accurate custom fitted hat, click for site
GladHatter.com for another hat site
--Hornet coat/jacket.....
"Chesterfield" style topcoat
(has the velvet or darkened collar)(also search for Duster, topcoat, overcoat,
opera coat, with a notched collar), fly front (no exposed buttons), horizontal
flapped lower pockets, 2 buttons on sleeves. The material is said to be wool,
however I don't know how heavy it was! p.s. He also wears a sportcoat
underneath his topcoat.
--Horizontally textured tie
--White shirt, standard collar not a button down
--Looks like cuffed pants, same color as jacket, however some shots show them a
different shade, and also maybe in black.
--Of course mask, white scarf, black leather gloves-with 3 longitudinal lines
on back of hand area, loafer shoes, Hornet Sting, Hornet Gun, transmitter gold
pocket watch and other extras as needed!!
click for larger
This site, www.the-magic-wardrobe.com, (click for link) will custom make a "Chesterfield" jacket, correct style, correct color, quoted estimated price of $750 ..See below for their Kato Uniform link!
World Of Elegance.com click picture for a site with a very expensive correct style coat, however not in green!
sportsmansguide.com has an East German Military Raincoat for $7.97 that with a little modification passes for a Hornet topcoat. It doesn't have flap pockets but is long in length and has the button fly flap front!
click for sportsmansguide.com site, Limited quantities!!
Brooks Brothers and Saks Fifth Avenue make a Chesterfield style topcoat, usually in black or gray.
click for larger
For a cheaper costume alternative you can always search for a green trench, rain coat, London Fog "Maincoat", have to search for correct looking style, (I've seen them w/ dark collar and fly front) or maybe a white "lab coat" (find the correct length, dye and modify) ...see the link below for some fan costume pictures!
Kato attire
--Old style chauffers hat, top of hat in front is smooth not ribbed or creased.
--10 button black jacket, angled/tapered not a vertical closure , horizontal
flapped lower pockets, 2 button on sleeves, high collar. This appears to be a vintage 1930's era chauffers uniform/jacket.
--Some type of white shirt underneath, seen peeking out of top of collar
--Tie-up shoes, black pants, no cuffs, mask, black leather gloves-plain
back,(no detail), throwing darts, nunchucks, and other extras as needed!!
www.costume.com Chauffeur Uniform made to order about $250 in grey or black
For a cheaper alternative try searching for a chef's coat,chef's jacket w/ collar, they are close!! However I have been unable to find a chef's coat one with the exact collar style!
an example website click for a chefs coat available in black twill/gabardine material $60/$115 and can customized with black buttons, but there are many sites out with different versions and pricing. If you find a better example please let me know.
Click here for some Green Hornet fans costume pictures found on the web
..and here for a vintage Ben Cooper Halloween costume
The above and following is just my opinion/observance on what I have seen in pictures and on
screen and should not be taken as 100% correct or accurate! I have never seen
any actual items. Please if anyone has anything else to contribute, corrections
or additions please email me johnhaig@hotmail.com
--John Haig aka "A. Pennyworth" aka "A.P."
Part 2-The Masks!
Part 3-The weapons/gadgets/props!
This site, www.the-magic-wardrobe.com, has complete costume (also ebay sales starts at $899 seller magic-wardrobe), also selling as seperates, the custom fitted jacket is $399-450. Emails answered by Mark who was very helpful and was receptive into making several corrections to their current jacket to a more accurate one!