LANA TURNER MGM GLAMOUR GIRL

From the 1955 MGM period drama, “Diane” comes this magnificent champagne velvet pearl-encrusted period court gown worn by Lana Turner and designed by Walter Plunkett.

The costume is comprised of a fitted bodice with square neckline and very long bell sleeves. The matching skirt is made of long heavy velvet and has a train.



The front skirt panel and inside of sleeves as you can see in the photos features intricate gold quilting and embroidery, and both parts are heavily trimmed with pearls, gold bullion, and gold ottoman beads.







Here are some further photos which show the detail of the gown.












The costume also came with the original matching raw silk pumps worn by Lana Turner in the film.





Lana Turner portrays Diane in this opulent costume drama. The film was a major project for MGM in terms of it's usual "no expense spared" approach to its films.



The costumes like this were lavish and Walter Plunkett, who was best remembered for his designs in "Gone With The Wind" produced some breathtaking gowns. Added to this was a musical score by Miklos Rozsa. The film also stars a very young Roger Moore. They film was set in 16th century France.









These are studio portraits taken to advertise the film by MGM and shows Lana Turner with the original costumes she wore in the film. You can see the costume on the right, five in.


Please search for Lana Turner to see the other costumes worn by Lana Turner in this film.

GRETA GARBO THE ULTIMATE STAR

She was born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson. To the screen loving public however she was simply known as GARBO.

A major star of the silent era and the MGM period of the 1930's and early 40's, Garbo gained her popularity not only for her screen perona but also for her private life and elusivenss. In later years Garbo wanted to be left alone. The public refused to do so.

This beautiful piece is a scarf worn by Greta Garbo in the 1937 MGM costume drama "Conquest". The film was also known by another title of Marie Walenska, the character played by Garbo.

The scarf measures a huge 40x90" and is a three line gold trim vintage silk with fleur de lis design and satin fringe pattern throughout.

Conquest tells the story of a polish countess played by Garbo who becomes Napoleon Bonaparte's mistress and who feels that she may influence him to make Poland an independent State.

The costumes were designed by the legendary Adrian who designed for many of the MGM great stars in the 1930's and 40's including Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, Lana Turner, Judy Garland, Jeanette MacDonald, Jean Harlow and Katharine Hepburn.

Adrian worked with Garbo throughout the course of her career. As with Garbo, Adrian Adolph Greenberg was simply addressed on screen and in any publications with the phrase "Gowns by Adrian".

Garbo made the transition from silent film to sound well. The studio waited for the best vehicle for her to do this which came along in the form of Anna Christie in 1930. The phrase "Garbo Talks" was one well known to the movie audiences of 1930 who could not wait to hear what she would sound like. They approved.

Garbo has appeared in many memorable film classics including Anna Karenina (1935), and as the courtesan Marguerite Gautier in Camille (1936). Garbo turned to comedy in the 1939 classic, Ninotchka (1939) and Two-Faced Woman (1941) her final film. Garbo retired to her New York appartment. She was a prolific traveller however and to her circle of trusted friends continued her social life.

Up until the end of her life, Garbo sighting in New York was considered a great thrill to the fans who remembered her and her works. To the media, she was another chance at an exclusive photo of the ageing star.

Various attempts to return to film took place over the years but it was never meant to be.

Garbo was reported to have attended a film festival of her films in the 80's in disguise to see her performance on the screen. In the seventies when the Metropolitan Museum of Art conducted a retrospective of film costume under the eye of Diane Vreeland, Garbo costumes were on display.

A private viewing before the public opening was requested by Garbo who attended one morning to view the costumes including some she wore in films like Camille and Anna Karenina. Garbo is reported to have touched the pieces like she was saying hello to an old friend and remembering the magic of what was. Garbo did for a time enjoy what she did, being an actress and being the best she could be on film. The camera loved her face, the audience loved what they saw. It was a match made in the movies!

Garbo died in 1990 at the age of 84.

LANA TURNER GLAMOUR GIRL

I was recently lucky enough to find this wonderful period costume as worn by Lana Turner in the MGM film “Diane” (1956). This second Lana Turner costume I am thrilled to have from this MGM film was designed by Walter Plunkett.


From the Bill Madigan Collection.

Lana Turner portrayed Diane de Poitiers, the Countess de Breze opposite a very young Roger Moore.



The costume is a two-piece period gown of metallic fabric with long train and with heavy lace trim to the arms. The gown also features an ornate design to the bodice and arms.



Lana Turner wears this gown in a scene where she is teaching Roger Moore how to dance. You can see Ms Turner wearing the costume in this clip and it comes in at 4:22:





Below is a copy of the original costume sketch for this piece and reads “Lana Turner Change #11 Teaching the prince how to dance”.

DOROTHY LAMOUR THE SARONG GIRL

Dorothy Lamour was an American film actress who is best remembered for her performances in the series of “Road to..” films opposite Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.

Dorothy Lamour is also remembered for her many films in which she wore the characteristic sarong dress, which was deigned for her by the legendary Edith Head during her years at Paramount pictures. Lamour first appeared in the sarong in the 1936 Paramount film “The Jungle Princess”. In fact she appeared in 11 films thereafter in Sarong. Audiences remember Lamour best for these films.



During the World War II years, Lamour remained amongst the most popular pinup girls including Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner and Veronica Lake. Lamour was also heavily involved in the creation of war bond tours in which movie stars travelled the country selling U.S. government bonds.

Here is an elegant black satin halter gown worn by Dorothy Lamour in the film Masquerade In Mexico (1945). Costumes designed by Edith Head. The gown features intricate lace design to the bodice and trim to the hem. The film tells the story of an American singer stranded in Mexico who is hired by a banker to distract a Mexican matador who is making a play for the banker's wife. They hatch a scheme whereby she pretends to be a Spanish countess.



The costume appears in many production stills made for the film and for Paramount advertising. The costume also appears on the poster advertising for the film.





A wonderful Edith Head creation for one of Paramount’s biggest box office draws of the 1930’s and 1940’s.

LANA TURNER THE SWEATER GIRL

Legend has it that Lana Turner was discovered in Schwab's Drugstore. In fact she was discovered at the Top Hat Cafe. Nicknamed "The Sweater Girl", Lana Turner reached the height of her success at the MGM studios during the 1940's and 1950's. Best remembered for her roles in films such as "The Postman Always Rings Twice", "The Bad and the Beautiful" and "Peyton Place", Lana Turner became the popular pin up girl for the GIs in World War II.

Here is a cream satin wedding gown worn by Lana Turner as Marianne Patourel in the 1947 MGM film "Green Dolphin Street". Based on the Sebastian Falks novel of the same name, Green Dolphin Street tells the story of two sisters and their love for the one man. The gown was designed by Walter Plunkett. Plunkett who favoured the military style in many of his designs, used tassle and braiding on this costume to represent the military theme of the wedding.

This costume was also displayed in the now legendary Diana Vreeland exhibition of film costume at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art in New York. The exhibition "Hollywood Design" took place in 1974.




This second Lana Turner costume, also designed by Walter Plunkett is from the 1956 MGM film "Diane" in which Turner portrayed Diane de Poitiers, the Countess de Breze.





This costume is worn in a fencing scene opposite a very young Roger Moore. The gown is comprised of a quilted black skirt with black satin overlay and silver bullion design to the shoulders and bodice.

The costume can be seen here in this clip and comes in at 2;16:






Lana Turner remains as one of the true Hollywood beauties.