Sunday, June 5, 2011

On the Block: The Debbie Reynolds Auction




One of the world's largest collection of the most iconic costumes in Hollywood film history goes on the block June 18th. Collected over half a century by actress (and icon herself) Debbie Reynolds, dealer Profiles in History will auction some 3500 sketches, 20,000 original photographs and scores of props, costume sketches and movie posters.

Some of the highlights include Scarlett's green velvet and bird feather "drapery" hat from Gone With the Wind, Marilyn's infamous subway grate white dress from The Seven Year Itch and Elizabeth Taylor's gilt headdress from Cleopatra. Claudette Colbert's gold lame gown from the 1934 version of Cleopatra. The Little Tramp's bowler hat and Judy Garland's ruby red slippers from The Wizard of Oz along with Audrey Hepburn's black and white costume from My Fair Lady are must haves. Costumes from Travilla, Edith Head and Travis Banton will be featured as well.

The star of Singin in the Rain and The Unsinkable Molly Brown began her collection in 1970 when MGM studio was purchased and consolidated and the studios goodies were sold to an auctioneer.  She sifted through 300,000 costumes, scripts, furniture and props, curating a wonderful array of memorabilia fit for a museum. Reynolds spent decades trying to find the proper home but to no avail.

It is sad to think this incredible collection of Hollywood history won't make it to a museum and hopefully private collectors will give it a good home.


Monroe's subway dress

Audrey Hepburn's hat  from My Fair Lady



Marilyn Monroe's gown from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Click your heels three times


Scarlett's hat in Gone With the Wind

Elizabeth Taylor's headdress in Cleopatra above and below


Claudette Colbert's gilded creation in 1934's Cleopatra

Elizabeth Taylor's costume in  National Velvet


If you want to own a piece of film history, the auction takes place Saturday, June 18th at the Paley Center for Media, 465 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills at noon. And if you can't be there or Charlton Heston's Ben Hur tunic is not in your budget (it's rumored that Monroe's subway dress will fetch up to two million dollars), the catalogue is a must read and can be purchased here.

Photo Credits: Profiles in History, Twentieth Century Fox, MGM