GLORIA GRAHAME QUEEN OF THE NOIR

Grahame was a wonderful actress who worked both in film and theatre. Beginning her career at MGM, she was later moved to RKO where she appeared in various film noir classics. In fact she received a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Crossfire (1947) for one such role.

Grahame made her film debut in Blonde Fever (1944). Grahame also starred with Humphrey Bogart in the 1950 film “In a Lonely Place”, a favourite of mine. I also think she was great in “The Man Who Never Was”.

Here is a wonderful circus costume worn by Gloria Grahame in the film “The Greatest Show on Earth” which was another Cecil B. DeMille epic focusing on the lives of circus people in times of both financial and personal hardships.

The red performance outfit with gold lame inserts is highlighted by faux pearls and beading. Gloria Grahame portrays the elephant girl who attracts the unwanted attentions of Lyle Bettger who plays an elephant trainer but secretly pines for Charlton Heston. Costumes were designed by Edith Head and Dorothy Jeakins and Miles White undertaking the circus costumes.

The costume is worn in a great scene involving Grahame and an elephant threatening to crush her. You can see the costume being used in the following video. You can see the costume come in at just over a minute.

The film was nominated and won the Best Picture Oscar for 1952.

Grahame actually won an Oscar for her role in The Bad and the Beautiful (1952).

Sadly Grahame became ill with stomach cancer and refusing to accept that she was ill and receive treatment, she passed away in 1981 following complications.

And yes she did marry her own stepson.

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.