GREER GARSON ENGLISH ROSE

British Born Greer Garson was a major MGM star in the 40’s and 50’s and was discovered by MGM head Louis B. Mayer on the London stage. Mayer offered Garson a contract with MGM.

At MGM Garson starred in memorable film classics including “Goodbye, Mr. Chips”. Garson was nominated for an Oscar for her role.

Garson also appeared in other memorable films including “Pride and Prejudice” , “Mrs Miniver”, “Mrs Parkington” and “Marie Curie” .

Here is a period gown worn by Greer Garson in the 1951 MGM film “Law and the Lady” Starring opposite Michael Wilding and Fernando Lamas, Garson plays a housemaid turned thief and con artist. This comedy was the third remake of this famous stage play and Garsons role had previously been portrayed by both Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford.



Costumes for the film were designed by Walter Plunkett. Plunkett who also designed for “Gone With The Wind” in 1939 called upon a previous design he used in that film, namely the famous green dress that Scarlett O’Hara has made out of curtains. In this film, Garson discusses having made her gown out of the curtains, which hung in her now ex employer’s drawing room. Plunkett makes wonderful use of the curtain tassel on the gown as part of the design of he costume.



The costume appears in a very charming scene between both Wilding and Lamas.

The gown also gives an insight into the colours and fabrics used by the MGM costume creators in order for the costumes to appear and to film well on black and white film stock. The rust coloured silk provides a striking comparison to the white panels, which appears beautifully on screen.



Garson remains one of the most popular actresses of the 40’s and continues to remain for many a much loved and adored film star.