SHIRLEY TAKE A BOW

Direct from the family of legendary and much loved child star Shirley Temple comes this extraordinary collection of Hollywood history which is to be auctioned in mid July 2015. The items are all part of the legendary career of Shirley Temple and were lovingly preserved and cared for by her Mother Gertrude Temple and then later by her children. The items will be auctioned for the first time ever. 

Costume worn by Shirley Temple in 'The Little Colonel"

My absolute favourite, Shirley Temple gown from "The Little Princess"

Shirley Temple robe from 'The Little Princess

Shirley Temple wearing the robe from 'The Little Princess"

As a long time collector of film costumes, I cannot underestimate the importance the pieces and the extraordinarily rarity of such a collection. It is a historic and incredible group of items from this great lady and showcasing so many memorable film moments from her incredible career.

"Love, Shirley Temple - Movie Costumes, Dolls, and Childhood Memorabilia from Her Personal Archives" will go under the hammer live on Tuesday 14 July 2015 through Theriaul's the doll masters Auction house where you will be able to view the lots in the sale and make your bids. Here is the link to the site: www.theriaults.com

You can also contact the auction house for inquires on the following email: info@theriaults.com
The auction will feature many memorable costumes however will also include many personal items from the childhood collection of Shirley Temple. The auction will comprise of nearly 500 pieces including costumes, dolls, playthings & memorabilia from 1928-1940.

A selection of items going under the hammer can be viewed by the public and forms part of a touring exhibit that has been created in conjunction with the auction. The exhibit is currently visiting a number of regional Museums. Below are some photos of the amazing costumes that will be on offer as part of the auction. 

It is truly an amazing selection of costumes worn by Shirley Temple in many of her much loved films.

The pictures here were taken at the current display at the Strong Museum in Rochester, New York. If you are nearby make sure you go see them. It is probably the last time they will ever be displayed together in such a loving tribute to one of the film greats.  

Shirley Temple costume from "Heidi"

The costumes are just incredible and include this amazing polka dot dress worn in 'Baby Take A Bow".

Shirley Temple iconic polka dot gown from 'Baby Take A Bow"

Other film classics include 'The Little Colonel' (1934), 'Heidi' (1937), "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" (1937)  and a much loved favourite of mine 'The Little Princess' (1938). Many of Temples costumes were designed by Gwen Wakeling a legendary designer at 20th Century Fox Studios throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Many of her designs were copied for children's clothes at that time as well as the the official clothing and dolls clothing released as part of the Shirley Temple franchise collection. 

This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a little part of an actor whose career gave joy to so many people and which has spanned so many generations. Her films also happily came at a difficult times in history including the great depression years of the 1930's. Even today, her films continue to introduce new audiences to these much loved film classics.

If you can't bid at the sale, there is also a beautiful limited edition

catalogue available for purchases through the auction site. 

Shirley Temple period gown worn in a dream sequence in 'Heidi"

Other non costume items include a child-sized sports car which was given to the Child star by co-star Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and a favourite piece of mine, a sling shot that Shirley carried with her and used often include during her visit to the White House where she managed to score a direct hit to first lady Eleanor Roosevelt! The items on offer are too numerous to mention and there truly is something for everyone.

Current touring dates for the exhibit are as follows:

May 7th-10th at The Wenham Museum north of Boston

May 21st-24th at The Morris Museum in Morristown

June 4th-10th at the Santa Monica History Museum

June 12th-14th at the historic Stanford Theatre in Palo Alto

June 20th-27th in Fort Worth, Texas

What else can be said about such an incredible and remarkable sale than

to quote the great lady herself "Oh My Goodness!". 

MAE WEST WHEN SHE’S BAD SHE'S BETTER

Here is an exquisite period gown designed by Paramount’s legendary Travis Banton and worn by screen sire Mae West in the 1934 Paramount film “Belle of the Nineties”.

The gown consists of a black satin full length V-neck period dress with ivory satin puff sleeves, decorated with ivory circular lace along front and sleeve caps.

Here is a close up of the intricate lace work that runs the length of the gown.

The rear features a beautiful train effect as you can see below.

The gown is worn by Mae West in key scenes in the film and in her role as ‘Ruby Carter’.  It is worn in the scene where West attends a boxing match and again on her return. Here are some stills from the film  with West wearing the gown. 

This is the original poster art from the film's 1934 release. 

The dress was worn a year after its use with West by Sarah Edwards as “Mrs. Myron Carey” opposite Charles Laughton in “Ruggles of Red Gap”. Here is a still showing the gown when it was re used.

This wonderful early piece of cinematic history came to me from the Debbie Reynolds collection.

Belle of the Nineties was the fourth of the films West made at Paramount. Based on any original story titled ‘It ain’t no sin’ and written by West herself.

Mae West is now known for her wonderful one-liners in films, which are still quoted today.  Ranked as 15^th in the world’s greatest female stars, she will always be the gal who you want to come up and see! My favorite of all her film quotes, is when an admirer complements West on her diamonds with’ goodness what beautiful diamonds’….Mae’s response….’goodness had nothing to do it dearie’…indeed.

JOAN BENNETT CLASSIC AND VERSATILE BEAUTY

 This is just incredible and to have survived so amazingly well. Here is an absolutely breathtaking petal pink satin period costume gown worn by Joan Bennett as Princess Maria Theresa in the film 'The Man in the Iron Mask' (United Artists, 1939).

The costume is embellished with gold applied crowns, artificial pearls and gold lamé trim and bows. This is an amazing example of what really went into fabric choices for costumes in black and white film and what was really lost to the general public going to see these films and not getting the full effect of these unbelievable colors.

The bodice is boned with puffed sleeves, and the skirt is trained with a partial gold lamé underskirt.

There is a United Costumers label reads "No 25G Joan Bennett" in the skirt and an "S. Goldwyn" stamp to the interior of the bodice.

William Bridgehouse designed costumes for the film. The film was made at United Artists studios.

Here is a beautiful photo of the rear showing the amazing period train. 

This famous costume adventure tells the story of a twin brother of Louis XV kept hidden away in a prison and forced to wear an iron mask to hide his identity. This was the second of five screen versions.

The costume appears in a number of stills with Joan Bennett. The gown was glamorous enough to be well photographed and used in a number of production stills.

The costume was sold at auction late last year and you can see video footage of the gown as it was displayed at the auction house. You can see the intricate detail of the gold crowns and how wonderfully the satin has survived.

Louis Hayward co-starred with Bennett in the dual roles of Louis and his brother.

the film. Below is Joan Bennett in costume for her make up test for the film.

Please also look at the second gown I have worn by Joan Bennett in this film also.

A great piece of period film costume history from the year that is always remembered as being the best year in Hollywood history!