Top 10 Classic Hollywood Gowns

When I watch a film from this period, the costumes get as much attention from me as the actors do. In many films, the costume design is the much needed icing on the cake to give these films that little something extra. It just goes to show you that the designers of that period were much more important than they may have known. Not only did they lend their hand in the productions of the films, they also had a lasting touch on the world of fashion. Many of their designs can be seen influencing fashions that are hip today. Below are my top 10 gowns of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Ok let's be honest, who could narrow it down to 10, so here are 10 of my favorites. It is probably no surprise how many times Edith Head pops on on the list...

Grace Kelly | To Catch A Thief (1955)

Blue Gown by Edith Head

Marilyn Monroe | Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

Orange Gown by Travilla

Rita Hayworth | You Were Never Lovelier (1942)

White Lace Gown by Irene

Bette Davis | All About Eve (1950)

Brown Gown by Edith Head

Joan Crawford | Letty Lynton (1932)

Black & White Gown by Adrian

Audrey Hepburn | Funny Face (1957)

Wedding Gown by Edith Head

Jean Harlow | Dinner At Eight (1933)

Biased Cut Silk Gown by Adrian

Jayne Mansfield | The Girl Cant Help It (1956)

White Silk Gown by Charles Le Maire

Rita Hayworth | Gilda (1946)

Black Silk Gown by Jean Louis

Jane Russell & Marilyn Monroe | Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

Red Sequined Gowns by Travilla

Funny Lady Blogathon: Jane Russell in GPB

I've been a little absent from the blog scene for the better part of this year, so the Funny Lady Blogathon over at Movies, silently was the perfect jumping point for me to get back into the groove of things. It wasn't too hard for me to pick out a subject for this event... I knew right away it would have something to do with my favorite film, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). While this film is billed more for its musical content, both of the leading ladies offer some comedic relief. I chose to highlight Jane Russell's performance as Dorothy Shaw. Her one liners are short, to the point, and manage to make me giggle every time I watch the film.

In this Howard Hawks Technicolor spectacle Dorothy Shaw is the friend and chaperon of Lorelei Lee (played by Marilyn Monroe) on their cruise to Paris. Dorothy has been given the task to keep an eye on Lorelei to make sure she makes it 'safely' to Paris. Needless to say the Olympic team and Mr Malone become a sort of distraction for love starved Dorothy and as a result she must help Lorelei get out of the mess she gets into on board the ship. The climax of the film comes when the police come for Lorelei and Dorothy dons a blonde wig posing as Lorelei and excites all the men in the French court room. And you'll just have to watch the film to see more!

Below are some of my favorite lines from the film...

Frankly, My Dear Classic Film Survey

Rianna over at Frankly, My Dear has been hosting a Classic Film Survey for the month of February. I said earlier in the month that I wanted to take part... it's better late than never right? Sorry for the delay, life has just been hectic. So here it goes...

1. Favorite classic Disney?

 
It is very hard for me to answer this because I am such a Disney fanatic, but I chose Sleeping Beauty (1959). I went with this film because of how beautifully done the illustrations were. You can literally take a frame from any part of the film and it would look like a piece of art! I especially love the scenes where Aurora is walking through the woods singing with all of the animals.

2. Favorite film from the year 1939?

 
This one is pretty easy... The Women. An all woman cast with Norma Shearer, Rosalind Russell and Joan Crawford? What more could you ask for?

3. Favorite Carole Lombard screwball role?

  

While I am a little ashamed to say so, I've only seen one of Carole's films... Mr and Mrs Smith (1941). So I will go with that one as my favorite. I did a review on it, you can read here. I must say that after seeing this picture, I will definitely be watching more of her films.

4. Favorite off screen couple?

Jean Harlow and William Powell. They seemed to be deeply in love. Their 6 month engagement came to an end with Harlow's premature death.

5. Favorite pair of best friends?

Ive always loved the behind-the-scene story of the friendship Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe developed on the set of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). I love that Jane would stop by Marilyn's dressing room and walk with her on set because she knew how terrified Monroe was. A true friend.

Film | Gentlemen Prefer Blondes's Lost Musical Number

I am excited to say this will be the 100th post here on Blame Mame! I can't wait to write 1,000 more! I really am appreciative to the followers and other readers who make their daily stops by the blog. I love seeing your comments on the entries and over on the Blame Mame Facebook page!

If you weren't able to read between the lines through past posts, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is pretty much my favorite movie of all time! And with a cast that includes two of my top ladies (Marilyn Monroe & Jane Russell), musical numbers to die for, and stunning Travilla designed gowns... how could this film now be at the top of everyone's list?

Some of you may know this and some of you may not, but there was a musical number cut from the film before its theatrical release. Whenever I found this out I was so excited, but then I learned it may be lost forever. Most of the time the film that was cut from films literally was left 'on the cutting room floor.' How could there be a musical number from my favorite movie that I will never get to see?!?

I haven't been able to find out much about it, but I do know it was titled Four French Dances and would have been toward the end of the film when the girls make it to France. My best guess would be that it would have come right before the 'Diamond's Are A Girl's Best Friend' number because Lorelei and Dorothy can be scene in the costume when Mr. Esmund goes backstage to talk to the girls. From the productions stills stills I have seen, it looks like it would have been an amazing number. If you are interested, you can see a small clip from the scene in the film's trailer. Marilyn and Jane can be seen walking on a ladder. [around the 2.12 mark]

I also heard of another musical number that was cut from the film titled 'Down Boy'. I know the number was performed by Marilyn... possibly in the scene where she is dancing with Piggy in the gold lame gown on the ship. I think I read somewhere it was cut because the gown was too risque to be shown in theaters. I know I have heard the music from the number somewhere, but that was over 5 years ago and I cant find it again. If anyone knows where I can find the music, please let me know!

And as if that weren't enough, there is also a costume that was unused from this film that can be seen in wardrobe test for the film. The costume looks very revealing at first glance, but it is just another illusion by the master designer Travilla. I wonder when Marilyn would have worn it?

 

You can find more images from the Four French Dances number behind the cut...

Film | 10 Things Learn From GPB

You can learn a lot of things from classic movies, some things more useful... others not. Below are a few things you could learn from Dorothy Shaw & Loreli Lee in the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Photos | On Set

Jane Russell & Marilyn Monroe going over their dance steps for the 'Two Little Girls 
From Little Rock' number from the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes