Monday, September 27, 2010

CYD CHARISSE DANCING LEGEND



Cyd Charisse will always be remembered as the female icon of the American film dance musical.

She will be remembered most for her appearances in films opposite Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly including “Singin' in the Rain” in 1952 and “The Band Wagon’ in 1953. Other classic appearances were in the 1953 musical “Silk Stockings’.



This beautiful gown was worn by Cyd Charisse in the 1948 MGM musical “On an Island With You”. This elegant cream-colored full-length gown, gathered at the hips with fitted short sleeve top in green and gold sequin geometric pattern.





Below is copy of the original Irene Costume sketch.



On an Island with You is a 1948 musical romantic comedy film directed by Richard Thorpe. It stars Esther Williams, Peter Lawford, Ricardo Montalbán, Cyd Charisse and Kathryn Beaumont. Williams stars as a swimming movie star who goes to Hawaii to make a film, bringing her fiancé, Ricardo Montez, played by Montalbán, with her. Lawford stars as Lawrence Kingsley, a military technical advisor for Reynolds's film, who eventually falls in love with her. Charrise plays Reynolds's best friend and fellow movie star, Yvonne Torro, who secretly wants Ricardo for herself.

Charisse was meant to perform dance numbers in the film however injured herself prior to filming and was forced to do most scenes sitting. This gown appears in a nightclub scene.

Costumes were designed by Irene.

2 comments:

  1. Hi

    I have a small collection of stuff from the Ridley Scott film 'Legend'. Goblin armour, a scary helm, original named costume bag and a few bits and pieces. The armour is very heavy , leather, metal and rubber and to tell you the truth, since I retired and moved to a more manageable house, I don't have the room for this kind of thing anymore. Sad but true. Any advice? or is this cheeky? I don't know because I've never done this before. I bought them by mistake in a bermans sale in the early nineties in a box with a sooty costume in believe it or not. Thought it was a bit heavy!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi! Yes there is certainly a market for it. Your best bet is one of the major auction houses that sell these treasures. Try Profiles In History, Julien's auctions or Heritage auctions. All great when it comes to entertainment collectibles. Good luck with them! And yes space is always an issue!!

    ReplyDelete