RISE STEVENS OPERATIC EXCELLENCE ADRIAN GLAMOUR

This is a ridiculously beautiful fully beaded gown worn by operatic mezzo-soprano Rise Stevens in the 1941 MGM musical “The Chocolate Soldier”. The gown was designed by the legendary Adrian.

Extraordinary workmanship went into creating this completely beaded gown.  The gown is made up of thousands of turquoise bugle beads cascading into shades of Caribbean blue.  

Beaded paisley design along neckline and cuffs outlined in silver bullion with lavender, green, pink, royal blue and faceted silver metallic beads in varying shapes and sizes.  Hook and eye front closure.  Zip wrist closures.  Internal bias label typed “2270

Worn by Rise Stevens as “Maria Lanyi” when she goes to dinner with Nelson Eddy and he impersonates a Russian in The Chocolate Soldier. 

MGM considered a great gown shouldn’t be wasted and it was also worn a few years later by Kay Aldridge as “Mrs. McGowan” when Zero Mostel tells her fortune in Du Barry Was a Lady (MGM, 1943).

You can see the intricacy of the bead work here even on the sleeve. Each bugle bead would have been hand placed and sewn onto the gown, line after line. It would literally have taken a number of MGM seamstresses hours upon hours to complete and all for the few minutes it appeared on screen.

This dress is a true masterpiece by Adrian.  The craft, workmanship and skill that went into creating it is just amazing.   Each bead was hand sewn and strategically placed.  Endless hours must have been spent by the skilled seamstresses at the studio. 

Today, it would cost a small fortune to purchase the vintage beads and silver bullion not to mention the labor to recreate it.  The weight alone is remarkable also, 12lb or 6 Kg. Imagine wearing that and having to walk around all night looking glamorous. The gown would certainly help!

Here also is a copy of the original Adrian sketch for the gown. Adrian's directions 'sparkling jewelled'. Well he certainly succeeded.

And how was a gown constructed to be able to retain such weight, here is the secret.

Worn by Rise Stevens during the song sung by Nelson Eddy ‘Song of the Flea’. You can see the gown as it appears on screen in the following clip

A number of major operatic performers tried their hand in films during the 40s. Rise Stevens was one of them and Hollywood produced several films for her, other than The Chocolate Soldier including Going My Way in 1944 with Bing Crosby.

Stevens sadly only recently died in her Manhattan home on March 20, 2013 at the age of 99.

WHO LOVES LUCY! THE LONG, LONG TRAILER

Who doesn’t love Lucille Ball!

This wonderful 50’s gown was designed for and worn by Lucille Ball in the 1954 comedy hit “The Long, Long Trailer”. Costumes were designed by Helen Rose.

The gown of striped blue and cream satin with lace floral accents has a very full skirt and self collar. Helen Rose who created this costume designed for many MGM greats including Lana Turner, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly and Doris Day. This is very Helen Rose in terms of its design and at the same time very what you would expect Lucille Ball to dress in for the 1950s. It’s a great piece.

The following photo shows the bodice with beautiful self collar, button design and lace.

This photo shows the detail of the floral lace which circles the full skirt.

Here also is Lucille Ball in a test photo with the costume.

Lucille Ball costumes are rare and do not come to market often. When they do come up they are much sought after. 

This was also the first film that both Ball and husband Desi Aranz would make together. MGM studios were wary at first of making a film with the married couple based on the fact that the public could watch them both for free on television with the ‘I Love Lucy’ series, which was continuing to be made and aired at the same time. 

They had nothing to worry about and the public turned out in droves to see the picture. In fact the film went on to make more money than the current highest earning comedy at the time, which was ‘Father of the Bride’.

The Long, Long Trailer is a movie based on a novel and tells the story of a couple who purchase a travel trailer home and spend a year travelling across the United States. 

The film is best remembered for the wonderful sight gags and situation comedy moments that Lucy was best remembered for on her shows. The dangerous mountain road and manoeuvring the giant of a trailer is one of those scenes.

Here is another series of photos of the gown being worn by Lucy in the scene who is doing her best to convince Desi that buying a trailer home will be the best thing for them.

Here also is the orignal trailer to the film:

The costume can be seen at 0:33.

The studio spared no expense in marketing this film and ensuring its success with the public. Even Leo the Lion loved Lucy! 

With Long, Long Trailer, Lucy and Desi did what few actors of the time could do, transition from television back to film and to have done it successfully.

A wonderful piece of MGM and Lucille Ball history.