JUDY GARLAND THE HARVEY GIRLS

Here is a wonderful wedding gown worn by Judy Garland in the much-loved 1946 MGM musical classic “The Harvey Girls”. The gown is a creme-colored (Hollywood white) silk wedding gown with ornate puffy shoulders, lace sleeves and lace trim on the front.

A handwritten cloth label sewn into the zipper lining reads “1348-9123 Judy Garland”



Garland played Susan Bradley in this film classic that tells the story of a mail order bride who makes her way out west under a mistaken offer of marriage and instead joins a group of young women who are opening a Harvey House in the wild west.





The gown can be seen in two scenes in the film.



The first time it appears is when Garland, lets the Harvey girls know that she is to be married and showing the girls her wedding gown. This scene takes place on the famous Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe.





The gown then appears in the wonderful closing number to the film when Garland finally marries her love, John Hodiak.







Here is a close up of the bodice showing the intricate lace work on the gown.



The gown also appears in the poster art which was used to market the film.



The gown was originally one of the many MGM treasures that appeared in the "Star Wardrobe" portion of the great MGM auction in the 1970's.

Costumes for the film were designed by Helen Rose.

The film also starred some other MGM greats including Angela Lansbury, Cyd Charisse and Marjorie Maine.

Garland was also reunited with her Wizard of Oz yellow brick road partner, Ray Bolger and enjoyed some memorable scenes together.

The most famous of which would have to be the big, eight minute production number "On The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe."

The following costume is a jacket worn by Ray Bolger in this number.







You can see the jacket in the musical number here:



Men’s costumes were designed by Valles for the film.



Also from The Harvey Girls is a nightgown worn by Marjorie Main in a scene where the Harvey Girls are woken up by a bullet hitting a light fitting in order to scare the girls into leaving town. Marjorie Main was a much loved character actress best remembered for her role as Ma Kettle in the Ma and Pa Kettle series.


Purchased from the Bill Madigan Collection