CYD CHARISSE THE DANCING BEAUTY WITH THE AMAZING LEGS

This beautiful ankle-length crepe evening dress was worn by Cyd Charisse in the 1948 MGM musical “Words and Music”. The costumes were designed by Helen Rose.

The bodice is decorated with lace and sequin appliqué, and the skirt with two layers of pleated crepe and an attached crinoline with lace and sequin appliqué to match the bodice.

The gown has a studio label with Ms Charrise’s name and indicates “427 5162 Cyd Charisse.”

Here is Cyd and Perry Como posing at the piano.

And here is another great shot of the two seated at the piano.

Here are some production stills of Cyd Dancing in the costume.

The film was a fictionalised story based on the musical composers Rodgers and Hart. The film had a number of MGM greats including Mickey Rooney, Tom Drake, Janet Leigh, Perry Como, and Ann Sothern.

The gown is worn in the production number “We’ll Have A Blue Room”. Cyd dances beautifully as always.

Here is Cyd Chraisse, dancing in the gown with Perry Como in the song “We’ll Have A Blue Room”.

A wonderful costume piece from not only a beautiful star but from the golden era of the MGM musicals. 

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.