ROBERT TAYLOR THE MAN WITH THE PERFECT PROFILE

This navy jacket with military braiding and buttons was worn by Robert Taylor in the 1936 MGM film “The Gorgeous Hussy”. Directed by Clarence Brown, the film also starred Joan Crawford.


The film tells the story of President of the United States Andrew Jackson and an innkeeper's daughter.



This was considered quite a lavish production and particularly in terms of the number of leading men given to Joan Crawford for the film, including Franchot Tone, Melvyn Douglas and James Stewart.





The Gorgeous Hussy earned two 1936 Oscar nominations for Best Cinematography and Supporting Actress Beulah Bondi as the First Lady. It is also remembered for being the only sound era appearance of Joan Crawford in a costume period film.



The following photo provides more detail of the military braiding and buttons.





Lionel Barrymore appears as Andrew Jackson and would reprise his role in 1952's Lone Star, with Clark Gable and Ava Gardner. Sadly that would be his final screen performance.

Taylor was famous for having appeared in many MGM and other studio classics including Camille opposite Greta Garbo and Waterloo Bridge opposite Vivien Leigh. One of my favourites is his appearance as General Marcus Vinicius in Quo Vadis, opposite Deborah Kerr.



Robert Taylor can be seen wearing the jacket in various scenes throughout the film. Below is a scene the costume appears in opposite Joan Crawford:



At one time Taylor was married to actress Barbara Stanwyck. Taylor died of illness in 1969 at the age of 57.

TITANIC!

The fate of the Olympic-class passenger liner Titanic has been the subject of a number of films and mini series. The first of these films was made in 1929. The most recent, being James Cameron’s epic in 1997.



This is a gown worn by Barbara Stanwyck in the 1953 20th Centry Fox version of the film directed by Jean Negulesco. Starring opposite Clifton Webb and a young Robert Wagner, the costumes for the film were designed by Dorothy Jeakins.





This gown was worn by Thelma Ritter in the same film version. Ritter played the character of Maude Young which was in effect the Unsinkable Molly Brown.





Below is a photo of Thelma Ritter, Barbara Stanwyck and Clifton Webb on set for Titanic between takes. Thelma Ritter is wearing the costume.



From the 1997 James Cameron film, this hat was worn by Kathy Bates in her portrayal of Molly Brown. Many of the costumes were in them period pieces from the era. This hat was made in the early 1900’s and altered as required for use in the film. The hat appears in the first lunch scene on the Titanic.