SHIRLEY TAKE A BOW

Direct from the family of legendary and much loved child star Shirley Temple comes this extraordinary collection of Hollywood history which is to be auctioned in mid July 2015. The items are all part of the legendary career of Shirley Temple and were lovingly preserved and cared for by her Mother Gertrude Temple and then later by her children. The items will be auctioned for the first time ever. 

Costume worn by Shirley Temple in 'The Little Colonel"

My absolute favourite, Shirley Temple gown from "The Little Princess"

Shirley Temple robe from 'The Little Princess

Shirley Temple wearing the robe from 'The Little Princess"

As a long time collector of film costumes, I cannot underestimate the importance the pieces and the extraordinarily rarity of such a collection. It is a historic and incredible group of items from this great lady and showcasing so many memorable film moments from her incredible career.

"Love, Shirley Temple - Movie Costumes, Dolls, and Childhood Memorabilia from Her Personal Archives" will go under the hammer live on Tuesday 14 July 2015 through Theriaul's the doll masters Auction house where you will be able to view the lots in the sale and make your bids. Here is the link to the site: www.theriaults.com

You can also contact the auction house for inquires on the following email: info@theriaults.com
The auction will feature many memorable costumes however will also include many personal items from the childhood collection of Shirley Temple. The auction will comprise of nearly 500 pieces including costumes, dolls, playthings & memorabilia from 1928-1940.

A selection of items going under the hammer can be viewed by the public and forms part of a touring exhibit that has been created in conjunction with the auction. The exhibit is currently visiting a number of regional Museums. Below are some photos of the amazing costumes that will be on offer as part of the auction. 

It is truly an amazing selection of costumes worn by Shirley Temple in many of her much loved films.

The pictures here were taken at the current display at the Strong Museum in Rochester, New York. If you are nearby make sure you go see them. It is probably the last time they will ever be displayed together in such a loving tribute to one of the film greats.  

Shirley Temple costume from "Heidi"

The costumes are just incredible and include this amazing polka dot dress worn in 'Baby Take A Bow".

Shirley Temple iconic polka dot gown from 'Baby Take A Bow"

Other film classics include 'The Little Colonel' (1934), 'Heidi' (1937), "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" (1937)  and a much loved favourite of mine 'The Little Princess' (1938). Many of Temples costumes were designed by Gwen Wakeling a legendary designer at 20th Century Fox Studios throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Many of her designs were copied for children's clothes at that time as well as the the official clothing and dolls clothing released as part of the Shirley Temple franchise collection. 

This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a little part of an actor whose career gave joy to so many people and which has spanned so many generations. Her films also happily came at a difficult times in history including the great depression years of the 1930's. Even today, her films continue to introduce new audiences to these much loved film classics.

If you can't bid at the sale, there is also a beautiful limited edition

catalogue available for purchases through the auction site. 

Shirley Temple period gown worn in a dream sequence in 'Heidi"

Other non costume items include a child-sized sports car which was given to the Child star by co-star Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and a favourite piece of mine, a sling shot that Shirley carried with her and used often include during her visit to the White House where she managed to score a direct hit to first lady Eleanor Roosevelt! The items on offer are too numerous to mention and there truly is something for everyone.

Current touring dates for the exhibit are as follows:

May 7th-10th at The Wenham Museum north of Boston

May 21st-24th at The Morris Museum in Morristown

June 4th-10th at the Santa Monica History Museum

June 12th-14th at the historic Stanford Theatre in Palo Alto

June 20th-27th in Fort Worth, Texas

What else can be said about such an incredible and remarkable sale than

to quote the great lady herself "Oh My Goodness!". 

SUSAN HAYWARD RED HEADED STAR

Here is an amazing full length period costume gown worn by Susan Hayward in her role as “Messalina” in the film “Demetrius and the Gladiators” and made at 20^th Century Fox in 1954.

The gown consists of a dark green jersey dress with flesh color satin and netting neckline and short sleeves decorated with very small dark gold metal discs. 

Here is the back of the gown.

The belt and neckline are accented with these amazing gold metal filigree, green faux stones , faux pearls and pink rhinestones.  Along the sides of the skirt are dark gold metal circles. Here is a great Fox close up of Hayward wearing the costume. 

Here is a close up of the bodice showing the intricate design to the costume.

The gown carries a handwritten internal bias label “1-25-1-4366 A-712-14 Susan Hayward”.  Hook & eye with snap side closure.  Here is a photo of the label that was the type used by Fox in their ladies pieces.

Charles Le Maire designed the costumes for this feature.

The belt is an amazing design as you can see below. And to have survived relatively intact with only one stone missing. 

Here is another close up of the design to the shoulder area, similar to the belt.

The gown can be seen when Susan Hayward as “Messalina” visits the Gladiator camp run by Ernest Borgnine and Victor Mature tries to escape during the visit.

Demetrius and the Gladiators was one of the many sword-and-sandal films made during the 50’s.  It also starred Victor Mature as Demetrius, a Christian slave made to fight in the Roman arena as a gladiator. The cast also features Ernest Borgnine, William Marshall, Michael Rennie, Jay Robinson as emperor Caligula, and Debra Paget. It also features a young Anne Bancroft in one of her earlier roles.

You can see from these from these photos below how amazing the film looks in not only Technicolor but also in Cinemascope.

The film was a sequel to “The Robe” and interestingly begins with a clip from that film showing the original stars, Richard Burton and Jean Simmons going to be martyred for their Christian beliefs on the order of Emperor Caligula.

Here is the scene in which the costume appears:

Here also is the original poster art for the film.