Behind the Scenes: The Making of Derek Smalls' Leather Harness Outfit in This Is Spinal Tap
In the making of the iconic film This Is Spinal Tap, director Rob Reiner and actors Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer drew inspiration from various rock legends like Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, and Judas Priest. Harry Shearer, who played bassist Derek Smalls, decided to create a unique stage outfit for his character based on Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford's leather man image. To achieve this look, Shearer purchased a leather harness from a West Hollywood sex shop called the Pleasure Chest, recommended by the film's costume designer Renee Johnston.
Accompanied by Christopher Guest, Shearer ventured into the unfamiliar world of the sex shop, where they encountered a variety of provocative items. Despite the unusual setting, Shearer managed to find the harness between the butt plugs and ball stretchers, along with jars labeled "Doc Johnson's Butt Plugs." He humorously recalls a later encounter with the Doc Johnson name at an auto show, adding a comedic twist to the shopping experience.
In a humorous anecdote, Shearer clarifies that the vegetable used in one of the film's memorable scenes, where a vegetable is stuffed down Smalls' pants, was not a cucumber but a courgette. He humorously explains that a cucumber would have been too large and warty for the desired effect, adding a touch of comedic detail to the behind-the-scenes story of This Is Spinal Tap.
In summary, the creation of Derek Smalls' leather harness outfit for This Is Spinal Tap involved a visit to a sex shop, an unexpected shopping experience, and a humorous clarification about the vegetable used in a memorable scene. The unconventional approach to character development and costume design added to the film's unique charm and comedic appeal.