Step into Russell Crowe’s armor, Keira Knightley’s gown with app

Russell Crowe’s combat armor from the 2000 sword-and-sandal epic “Gladiator” and Keira Knightley’s flowing 19th century dress from “Anna Karenina” won’t displace princesses or superheroes from this year’s National Retail Federation list of top-selling Halloween costumes.

But anyone with an iPhone or iPad can try on these and 14 other classic film costumes virtually, through a new 99-cent application created to commemorate the opening of the Hollywood Costume Exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The Hollywood Photobooth app lets anyone slip into Dan Aykroyd’s “The Blues Brothers” ensemble (dark glasses included), Gwyneth Paltrow’s dress, headdress and jewelry from “Shakespeare in Love,” or even Charlie Chaplin’s tattered Little Tramp suit from in the 1928 silent “The Circus.”

Users select a costume within the app, align the costume in front of themselves and snap a photograph. Images can be shared via email, Facebook and Twitter.

The London exhibit features many of cinema’s most memorable costumes, from Scarlett O’Hara’s green velvet dress from “Gone with the Wind,” Indiana Jones’ leather jacket, fedora and bullwhip from “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” and the blue and white gingham dress and ruby red slippers worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz.”

Even Audrey Hepburn’s classic little black dress (it’s Givenchy) from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” is on display, together with selections from more recent films, including director James Cameron’s “Avatar” and actor Matt Damon’s casual clothes from the “Bourne Identity” movies.

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