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| The Paley Center for Media - Beverly Hills |
Just by the very skin of our teeth did we manage to see the exhibit of Debbie Reynolds' priceless collection of Hollywood history before it goes to auction tomorrow, June 18. Okay, maybe it isn't exactly priceless (every item was marked with an estimated auction value) but imagine the feeling you'd get knowing you owned the iconic dress Marilyn Monroe wore while the subway gave her a moment of very-personal air conditioning in The Seven Year Itch - pretty priceless, I'd say.
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| "The" dress The Seven Year Itch (1955) worn by Marilyn Monroe designed by Travilla |
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| The crowd was densely-packed but well-behaved. |
For the last few weeks, The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills has hosted a preview of Reynolds' collection. As world-champion procrastinators, we - of course - waited until the last day to go. It was an amazing experience to see the very costumes that inspired my love of costume history and design. Pieces worn by Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner, Debbie Reynolds, Lucille Ball, Audrey Hepburn, Claudette Colbert, Julie Andrews and more were on display. Pieces from some of my favorite movies were less than two feet from me. Pieces from my favorite Hollywood designer, Walter Plunkett, were close enough to touch - but I refrained. Maybe I'll do a future post on the art of self-control!
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| The Long, Long Trailer (1953) worn by Lucille Ball designed by Helen Rose |
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| To Catch a Thief (1955) worn by Grace Kelly designed by Edith Head |
It was a slightly-unsettling moment when Mary became giddy over the very-faint "pit stains" on the above Edith Head creation. "Grace Kelly sweat too!"
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| Mildred Pierce (1945) worn by Joan Crawford designed by Milo Anderson |
Many of the garments I recognized on sight. I tried to remember the history of every item, but as you'll see with some of the garments featured below, I failed. If you know the provenance of an unmarked piece, please feel free to let me know.
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| A Royal Scandal (1945) worn by Tallulah Bankhead designed by Rene Hubert |
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| Blood and Sand (1922) worn by Rudolph Valentino designed by Travis Banton |
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| Cleopatra (1934) worn by Claudette Colbert designed by Travis Banton/Vicki Williams |
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| detail of the bust/neckline |
The jewel in this collection's crown, in my opinion:
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| My Fair Lady (1964) worn by Audrey Hepburn designed by Cecil Beaton |
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| Oh yeah, she's got the hat too. It was Ascot! |
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| Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) worn by Mary Astor designed by Irene Sharaff |
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| Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) Nightgown worn by Margaret O'Brien Party dress worn by Judy Garland designed by Irene Sharaff |
The costumes for Singin' in the Rain were designed by Walter Plunkett who designed many, many Hollywood classics including Gone With the Wind and Pollyanna.
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| Singin' in the Rain (1952) worn by Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor designed by Walter Plunkett |
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
worn by Debbie Reynolds
designed by Walter Plunkett
The green frock is definitely one of my favorites!
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| Singin' in the Rain (1952) worn by Jean Hagen designed by Walter Plunkett |
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| The Littlest Rebel (1935) worn by Shirley Temple designed by Gwen Wakeling |
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| Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) worn by Marilyn Monroe designed by Travilla |
Lana Turner Deborah Kerr
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| Miracle on 34th Street (1947) worn by Maureen O'Hara... just checking to see if you're paying attention worn by Edmund Gwen designed by Mrs. Claus |
Annie Get Your Gun (1950)
worn by Betty Hutton
designed by Walter Plunkett/Helen Rose
The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964)
worn by Debbie Reynolds
designed by Morton Haack
designed by Morton Haack
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| Salome (1953) worn by Rita Hayworth designed by Jean Louis |
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| Cover Girl (1944) worn by Rita Hayworth designed by Travis Banton |
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| The Barkleys of Broadway (1949) worn by Ginger Rogers designed by Irene |
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| Gaslight (1944) worn by Ingrid Bergman designed by Irene |
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| The Wizard of Oz (1939) worn by Judy Garland designed by Adrian The backside of Dorothy! A rough draft for the final costume. |
 The Wizard of Oz (1939)  |
| worn by Eleanor Powell designed by Adrian completely covered in silver, bugle beads |
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| No Man of Her Own (1932) worn by Carole Lombard designed by Travis Banton |
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| Susan Hayward |
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| The Virgin Queen (1955) worn by Bette Davis designed by Charles LeMaire/Mary Wills |
Gone With the Wind (1939)
worn by Clark Gable
designed by Walter Plunkett
The collection consists of more than just costumes. Reynolds has amassed many pieces of ephemera, artifacts, and art by, about, and for Hollywood heavyweights. Here are but a few.
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| Monkey Business (1952) Roadster driven by Cary Grant & Marilyn Monroe |
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| Harpo's Hat!! |
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| A painting of Marion Davies by Frederico Beltran Masses |
A more thoughtful, conscientious blogger would have posted all the details weeks ago so those who were unaware of the event could have gone. Being the very mean-spirited, thoughtless person that I am, I will just tell you that if you missed this, you missed a GREAT thing!! As many of these gems will be sold off to private collectors, it is not only the last time they will be seen together, it may be the last time that they are ever seen publicly! Surprisingly, not all of the estimates seemed outrageous. We'll have to wait until tomorrow to see how it all plays out. The infamous dress featured below has an auction estimate of $1-2 million - well worth it at twice the price!!!
The Seven Year Itch (1955)
Cheers!
Mr. Tiny (Hollywood Square)
