René Hubert, The Man Who Dressed Film Stars and Airplanes
“Transforming individuals into characters: few on either side of the Atlantic have done this as exquisitely as the costume designer Rene Hubert (1895 – 1976). From black-and-white silent films in the 1920s to the saturated colors of wide formats in the 1950s, the multitalented designer shaped some 200 cinematic films and approximately fifty stage productions. Apparently, without effort, he moved between his native Switzerland, large European cities and Hollywood.” And so begins, René Hubert, The Man Who Dressed Film Stars and Airplanes, a new book edited by Andres Janser and published by Lars Müller Publishers. Who’s René Hubert? This may…
Hattie McDaniel, Magnificent Mammy
In 1940, Screen Life magazine published an article on Hattie McDaniel, called “Magnificent Mammy.” The article was in their June issue and was written by John Franchey. To Hattie McDaniel has come the greatest honor Hollywood can offer– an Academy…
Garbo’s New Hero
Film PictorialAugust 12, 1933 Garbo’s New Hero by his Brother Only rarely does a newspaper have an opportunity to present an article of this type to its readers. “Film Pictorial,” of course, seizes that opportunity. Here, from his very earliest…
The Double Life of Vivien Leigh
Tops MagazineFebruary, 1955 The London audience that jammed the theatre to see Vivien Leigh enact the role of Blanche in the sizzling play version of A Streetcar Named Desire will never forget her starkly realistic portrayal of a sex-ridden woman.…
Scarlett’s Opening Scene in Gone With the Wind
On January 26, 1939, Vivien Leigh reported to work, for her first day of filming, on the set of Gone With the Wind. Finally, Vivien’s dream of playing Scarlett O’Hara, a dream she’d been carrying with her since she first read…
Fashion Friday: Vivien Leigh Models for Motley
In 1940, Vivien Leigh modeled clothing for the department store, Bonwit Teller. The gowns modeled by Vivien were created by Motley, a group of three very talented women, who designed sets and costumes for the stage and screen. Motley worked…
Going, Going, Gone With the Wind: Highlights of the Vivien Leigh Auction
The Vivien Leigh auction brought in £2,243,617, which is about $3,000,000. The bidding lasted for roughly seven and a half hours, with all 321 items selling. I wasn’t able to be in London, so I watched the auction live from my…
Vivien Leigh as Muse (Part I)
It’s no secret that Vivien Leigh’s great beauty and talent have been inspiring artists of all mediums, since she first made headlines in 1935. Words of glory were thrown at her feet; roses and racehorses were named for her; she…
Fashion Friday: Sidewalks of London
In 1938, Vivien Leigh starred in St. Martin’s Lane, along with Charles Laughton, Rex Harrison and Tyrone Guthrie. The movie centered around a group of street entertainers known as buskers, who took Vivien’s character, Libby, into their group. The U.S.…
Vivien Leigh’s “Gone With The Wind” Script Is Up For Auction
In recent years, a plethora of items related to Gone With the Wind have turned up on the auction block. This year is no different. On September 26, Sotheby’s will be auctioning off items personally owned by the movie’s star,…
Fashion Friday: Scarlett’s Red Dress
Today’s Fashion Friday post is about Scarlett’s scandalous, red ball gown. Rhett forces her to wear the dress to Ashley’s surprise birthday party. Earlier in the day, Scarlett and Ashley were caught hugging by India Wilkes. Scarlett doesn’t want to…
