One of my dreams has been make a pilgrimage to Las Vegas from Los Angeles, Fear and Loathing-style, take in the the sights of the desert “oasis”, see Cher/Bette/Céline/Insert Stereotype Here in a ridiculously camp stage production, pay a visit to Debbie Reynolds’ costume museum and then immerse myself in the extravagance of the Liberace Museum. Shortly after I imagine being air-lifted to Cedars-Sinai on account of heat and fabulous exhaustion. Alas, my orgiastic fantasy of rhinestones has been diluted with some sad news.
Actress, Debbie Reynolds is now selling her extensive collection of costumes at auction, to be dispersed among private collectors the world over. With bidding opening at midday Pacific Time on Saturday 18 June 2011, the public may bid online or absentee for many of the treasures included from the Golden Age of cinema.
The collection boasts Marilyn Monroe’s infamous sun-ray pleated dress from Seven Year Itch (which was incidentally made from rayon and is a possible explanation why her rash lasted almost a decade), Audrey Hepburn’s elegant gown from My Fair Lady‘s ”Ascot Gavotte”, Barbra Steisand’s gold beaded gown—and reportedly the most ever spent on a single costume for any film in history—from Hello Dolly! and an assortments of costumes from Dame Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s Cleopatra.
The website dedicated to the auction provides details for bidding and an illustrated PDF catalogue that is worth the download. Below we have selected some of better buys of the auction for gentlemen. Who doesn’t need a hand-beaded matador costume? I bet Liberace has one in his museum.
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- Checks please: Gene Kelly's pink jacket from "Singin’ in the Rain"; suit from "Singin’ in the Rain"; Rex Harrison's costume from "Doctor Dolittle"
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- Perfect for your next toga party: Peter Ustinov “Nero” taupe silk robe and monumental purple velvet mantle from "Quo Vadis"
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- What discerning gentleman doesn't need a dressing or smoking gown? L-R: Clark Gable's personal dressing gown for "Gone with the Wind"; tiger-striped dressing gown from "Bye Bye Birdie"; tunic from "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ"
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- Millinery for all occasions: L-R: Charlie Chaplin's famed bowler; winged charioteer helmet from "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ"; Roman helmet from "Ben-Hur"
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- Puttin' on the Ritz: tuxedo from "Meet me in St. Louis"; Al Jolson's evening suit from "Swanee River; Rudolph Valentino's matador costume from "Blood and Sand"
Published on 18 June 2011 by Agony Uncle