JULIE ANDREWS THE LADY’S A STAR!

Hot off the heals of one Julie Andrews costume comes another!

Here is another amazing and for me breathtaking gown from one of my favourite films. In it Julie Andrews portrayed the life of English theatre and musical star Gertrude Lawrence in the 1968 20th Century Fox film “Star!”

 This stunning costume is comprised of a black ostrich feather covered silk gown with beaded shoulder straps and matching ostrich feather jacket.

The costumes is worn in two scenes along side everyone’s favourite TV Dad, Robert Reed of “The Brady Bunch” fame.

 The costume also comes with the original Ostrich Muff however is not seen in the film.

The costumes were designed by Donald Brooks who produced over 3,040 individual costumes for the film and a whopping 125 outfits for Julie Andrews alone. Still considered a record in terms of costume changes for one star in any film. Julie Andrews costumes for the film cost an amazing $750,000 in 1968 dollars.

The costumes were executed by Western Costume Company who took ownership of the costume collection after filming. These costumes were then rented out on many occasions over the next 20 years. In the early 90’s as part of a clean out, Western Costume began a series of auctions through then auction house Butterfields and Butterfields. Donald Brooks was nominated for an Academy Award for 'Best Costume Design' for his work in this film.

The costume also appears on the cover of the DVD.

This is a wardrobe costume test from Western Costume showing Julie Andrews in costume.

 And below is a clip of the amazing costumes worn by Julie Andrews in the film as well as my favourite song from the film.


 

 It is just amazing to me that such a delicate costume has survived.

ORSON WELLES DIRECTOR ACTOR SCREEWRITER PRODUCER

Orson Welles did it all. He worked in the mediums film, theatre, television and radio and sustained fame and success in each.

His voice was perfect for radio and his personality for his film roles. He was larger than life and his aristic views and temperament was often at odds with established Hollywood. His work was unique, it had a distinct Welles mark that has not been repeated since. He was indeed one of the most influentual persons of the 20th Century in terms of his contribution to the arts.

He will be best remembered for his film classic "Citizen Kane" which he made at RKO in 1941. The film is always rated as the top ten films of all times and if you have seen it, you will know why. He will also be remembered for his radio play broadcast of "War of the Worlds" whose aliens attacking planet earth was thought by many listening in as a real event and caused much panic in many cities throughout the US.

This costume piece was worn by Orson Welles in his 1943 performance as Edward Rochester in "Jane Eyre" at 20th Century Fox studios. Costumes were designed by Rene Hubert.

This red velvet single breast period smoking jacket with frog closure is worb by Wellles in two scenes in the film opposite Joan Fontaine and Jane. Velvet cuffs and collar have been added to the costume for re use in another production. As was the case, costumes were sometimes altered an reused. Here the alterations were luckily minimal. Some of Welles costumes for Jane Eyre were for example used by Rex Harrison a few years later in "Foxes of Harrow" in 1947. You never know where a costume is going to end up. It is interesting to note for Jane Eyre that Welles gave up having his name above the title and above Joan Fontaine's in lieu of acting as associate producer. In many ways, Welles found the business of film as important if not more, than the craft itself.

Close up photos of the design to the jacket below.

The costume was executed by the Western Costume Co. Below is the original sewn in label which indicates the use of the costume by Orson Welles.

Welles personal life was as interesting as work. He married Rita Hayworth in 1943 and had one child together. He had also fallen in love with Mexican actress Dolores del Río and also elpoped with Chicago-born actress and socialite Virginia Nicolson. In 1955 he married Italian actress and Countess Paola Mori.

This bigger than life personalily has indeed earnt his place and postion on the bigger than life screen! I am very lucky to have a costume piece worn by this genius.

ELIZABETH TAYLOR ALWAYS THE STAR

Dame Elizabeth Taylor was born Hampstead, London. Moving to the US in 1939, she was discovered at an early age and signed her first film contract with Universal Pictures in 1941.

Moving to MGM in 1942, she appeared in “Lassie Come Home”. Loaned to Fox studios, Taylor also appeared in “Jane Eyre” in 1944.

For MGM however, Taylor has been involved in some of the most memorable productions the studio has ever produced including “National Velvet”, “Father of the Bride”, “Raintree County”, “Little Women” and “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof”.

This elegant suit was worn by Elizabeth Taylor in the sequel to “Father of the Bride” being “Father's Little Dividend” in 1951. The film starred Spencer Tracy.



The Yellow two piece suit is decorated with lace trim to the collar and bodice. The costume was designed by Helen Rose.





The gown appears in the Christening scenes in the film.





This second gown was worn by Elizabeth Taylor in 1954 for the film “Beau Brummell” . This period film tells the story of Beau Brummell, played by Stewart Granger who trades a military career for looking good after he insults the Crown Prince. Peter Ustinov plays The Prince of Wales in the film. Taylor portrayed the character of Lady Patricia. Costumes were designed by Elizabeth Haffenden.





This pale blue silk period gown was worn by Elizabeth Taylor with a gauze overlay, fitted bodice with back eyelet closure and a sash, ruffled short sleeves, and a full skirt embroidered with delicate silver bullion and rhinestones. There is a handwritten Western Costume Co label inscribed E. Taylor and a handwritten B.J. Simmons & Co. label inscribed Miss E. Taylor.





The gown is seen in key sequences in the film.











Taylor can also be seen here in costume between takes. With her is her co-star Stewart Granger and husband Michael Wilding.



Here is Taylor emerging from her dressing room in costume, with tea!




Taylor appeared in Giant in 1956. Following which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in the film ‘Raintree County’ in 1957 opposite Montgomery Clift. An attempt by MGM to make a sequel to “Gone With The Wind”, this American Civil War epic tells the story of love between characters played by Montgomery Clift and Eva Marie Saint and Clift then entering into a passionate, yet loveless, marriage with a woman named Susanna Drake played by Elizabeth Taylor. It is later discovered that Taylor character’s mother died in an asylum and it becomes apparent that Susanna has inherited her family's illness. The film is set against the backdrop of the civil war.

Here is a full-length gown designed by Walter Plunkett and worn by Elizabeth Taylor in the film. The bodice of mauve taffeta with full sleeves of layers of tulle embroidered with mauve flower heads, the full-length skirt of ivory cotton embroidered all over with mauve flower heads, with corresponding layered underskirt; and a parasol -- made for Elizabeth Taylor as Susanna Drake in the 1957 M.G.M. film Raintree County.





Also in the photo is the original corresponding costume design by Walter Plunkett, graphite and watercolour on card, signed by Walter Plunkett, the reverse with production ink-stamps and production details inscribed in pencil.







The costume appeared on a location shoot for the film at the famous Windsor ruins in Mississippi.