MICKEY ROONEY LET'S PUT ON A SHOW!

This is just too incredible to be true and to have survived!

From much loved child and adult star Mickey Rooney comes this amazing two piece "Carmen Miranda" costume worn by Mickey Rooney in the M.G.M. production ‘Babes On Broadway’ in 1941. Robert Kalloch designed the costumes.

Mickey Rooney's incredible screen worn costume in his portrayal of Carmen Miranda herslelf

The brassiere style top is gold satin, trimmed with bronze mesh filagree and nine hooks fasten the reverse.

The floor length skirt is made up of an amazing kaleidoscope of colors! Mauve, orange and red satin, trimmed with bronze and mauve paillards; on the inside.

Mickey Rooney in costume and performing this unforgettable number 

Not one but two sewn in tags reading ‘Mickey Rooney 1204-2740’.

A rare look at the MGM labelling for the costumes they produced

Another look at MGM labelling for the costumes as well at the 1940's hook eye closures

The colors are just incredible to see. As a black and white film you could only have imagined how it looked. How amazing and colourful would the sets have been! 

Carmen Miranda drops in at MGM to show Mickey how to dress like a bombshell from Brazil! 

I have always loved the MGM movie series with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney and this particular musical number where he portrayed musical cabaret and film star Carmen Miranda. The musical sequence begins with "Bombshell from Brazil" sung by Judy Garland and a host over others and then moves into the song "Mama Yo Quiero" where Mickey Rooney sings and dances in the costume. And ends with the wonderful cry “Hey Ma!”.

Mickey's costume appeared in the amazing poster art for the film

Here is the link to the number:

The beautiful gold bodice

A colorised version of a lobby card from the 1941 release but still not quite getting the colors right!

Here showing the underskirt and its amazing fuchsia colors! 

Babes on Broadway was directed by the legendary Busby Berkeley, with Vincente Minnelli directing Judy Garland's numbers.

This was the third film in the series of films that became to be known as  the "Backyard Musical" series, which included Babes in Arms (1939), Strike Up the Band (1940) and Girl Crazy (1943).

What is amazing also about the production number and the shooting that day was that Carmen Miranda herself was present on the day for publicity stills together with Busby Berkley. Also wonderful to see the costume in so many photos!

Carmen and Mickey clowning around on set. And one of the few times we see a major mainstream performer and indeed a star in every sense of the word, in full 'drag'.

A great piece of MGM film history, the early and wonderful MGM musicals and from this wonderful, amazing and much loved performer.

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. 

MITZI GAYNOR TRIPLE THREAT GLAMOUR GIRL

Mitzi Gaynor does it all, dance, act and sing.  A much loved performer, even now she continues to be a popular favourite.

This is a costume that Mitzi Gaynor wore in her role as “Lotta Crabtree” in the 20^th Century Fox film “Golden Girl” in 1951.

This amazing dance costume was designed by Charles Le Maire.

This was Mitzi’s fourth film and she was only 20 years old.

The gown is an Ivory chiffon dance dress accented with fuchsia and cobalt blue layers on sleeves and underskirt, adorned with gold braided rope and buttons along neckline. 

It comes with the matching ivory rayon cotton briefs accented with layers.   Ivory rayon gloves trimmed in chiffon with gold braid and button accent. 

Both pieces have handwritten label “1-25-1-4101 MITZI GAYNOR A638-55”.  Briefs have additional Mabs Hollywood label 80 M. 

The gloves have handwritten label “FOX A638-55”.

The most amazing part is the underskirt with the layers and layers of fuchsia and cobalt blue you can see more clearly in these photos.

The gown was worn by Mitzi Gaynor as “Lotta Crabtree” during the “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” number in Golden Girl.

Here is the gown in action.

Golden Girl tells the story of Lotta Crabtree who after seeing Lola Montez in a show, wants to become a singer and performer. Not surprisingly her parents don’t approve. There is a love interest along the way as well played by Dale Robertson.

This is just a wonderful costume from the golden years of the Fox Musicals.

Please check out my other Gaynor costume from “Les Girls”!