Marilyn Monroe once again came to the auction block on November 1st 2019 which saw a various array of screen worn costumes, personal items, autographs and poetry up for sale.
Here are just some of the highlights from the day.
For a full list of every item and what they sold for, simply head here to Julien’s website: https://www.juliensauctions.com/auction-results?id=301
All photos and captions sourced from Julien’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/JuliensAuctions/
William “Bill” Travilla, known professionally as “Travilla” was an American costume designer for theatre, film and television. Marilyn fans will know him best as being the head costume designer on eight of her films:
Monkey Business (1952)
Don’t Bother to Knock (1952)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954)
River of No Return (1954)
Seven Year Itch (1955)
Bus Stop (1956)
“She was so childlike she could do anything, and you could forgive as you would forgive a seven year old. She was both a woman and a baby, and both men and women adored her.”
The admiration for Marilyn was clearly reciprocated, as Monroe once autographed a nude calendar for him with the words:
“Billy Dear, please dress me forever. I love you, Marilyn”
Travilla had a long and varied career spanning more than 4 decades, he created some of the most iconic looks in film and television and was nominated for an Academy Award four times, eventually winning in 1950 for his work on “The Adventures of Don Juan.”
Travilla passed away on November 2nd 1990 aged 70.
This coming weekend sees the 91st Academy Awards Ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.
Marilyn only ever attended one Oscar Award Ceremony and that was on March 29th 1951. Held at the Pantages Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, Marilyn presented the ‘Best Sound Mixing Award’ to Thomas Moulton, for his work in “All About Eve” which Marilyn also had a supporting role in.
“All About Eve” would go on to win a further 5 Awards and was nominated a staggering 14 times. “All About Eve” received more nominations than any other film in Oscar History, until 1997 when “Titanic” tied the record. Marilyn surely must have felt an enormous sense of pride to have been involved (no matter how small a part she had) in such a highly respected and multi award winning movie.
Marilyn wore an evening gown of black tulle by desginer Charles LeMaire. The extremely low-cut sweetheart neckline was obscured with a layer of tulle that could be worn up over the shoulders, or pulled down. Clusters of sequins brightened up the many yards of fabric that made up the skirt. Shortly before taking the stage, Marilyn noticed that the skirt was torn. She panicked and while Jane Greer, Debra Paget and Gloria DeHaven soothed her nerves, a seamstress rushed over and repaired the damage. The gown was a hand-me-down, originally worn by Valentia Cortese in ‘The House on Telegraph Hill,’ filmed several months before this event.
Although Marilyn herself as an Actress would never go on to win, or even be nominated for an Academy Award, some of her feature films were:
The Academy Awards 1961
LET’S MAKE LOVE
NOMINATED:
“Best Music/ Scoring of an Original Picture- Lionel Newman and Earle Hagen.”
The Academy Awards 1960
SOME LIKE IT HOT
WON:
“Best Costume Design, Black and White.”
NOMINATED:
“Best Actor in a Leading Role- Jack Lemmon.”
“Best Director- Billy Wilder.”
“Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium- Billy Wilder, I.A.L Diamond.”
“Best Cinematography, Black and White- Charles Lang.”
“Best Art Direction-Set Direction, Black and White- Ted Haworth and Edward G. Boyle.”
The Academy Awards 1957
BUS STOP
NOMINATED:
“Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Don Muray.”
The Academy Awards 1955
THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS
NOMINATED:
“Best Writing/Motion Picture Story- Lamar Trotti.”
“Best Costume Design-Colour- Travilla, Charles Le Maire and Miles White.”
The Academy Awards 1954
HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE
NOMINATED:
“Best Costume Design- Colour- Travilla and Charles Le Maire.”
The 1951 Academy Awards
ALL ABOUT EVE
WON:
“Best Picture- Darryl F. Zanuck.”
“Best Director- Joseph L. Mankiewicz.”
“Best Actor in a Supporting Role- George Sanders.”
“Best Writing/Screenplay – Joseph L. Mankiewicz.”
“Best Costume Design Black and White- Charles Le Maire and Edith Head.”
“Best Sound Recording- Thomas T. Moulton.”
NOMINATED:
“Best Actress in a Leading Role- Bette Davis.”
“Best Actress in a Leading Role- Anne Baxter.”
“Best Actress in a Supporting Role- Celeste Holm.”
“Best Actress in a Supporting Role- Thelma Ritter.”
“Best Cinematography, Black-and-White- Milton S. Kranser.”
“Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White- George W. Davis, Thomas Little, Walter M. Scott, Lyle R. Wheeler.”
“Best Film Editing- Barbara MaClean.”
“Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture- Alfred Newman.”
The 1951 Academy Awards
THE ASPHALT JUNGLE
NOMINATED
“Best Actor in a Supporting Role- Sam Jaffe”
“Best Director-John Huston”
“Best Writing, Screenplay-Ben Maddow and John Huston”
“Best Cinematography, Black-and-White”
Sources:
“Marilyn In Fashion: The Enduring Influence Of Marilyn Monroe” by Christopher Nickens and George Zeno.
Today we are wishing a true Hollywood legend George Chakiris, a very happy birthday.
Chakiris is an American dancer, singer and actor. He is best known for his appearance in the film version of West Side Story as Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks gang, for which he won both the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor.
Chakiris began his film career in 1947, starting off with a string of uncredited roles as backing dancers. His 6th film appearance saw him as one of the suited men vying for Marilyn Monroe’s attention in the now iconic musical number “Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend” from 1953’s “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.”
“One of my favorite credits is to say that I worked behind Marilyn Monroe and I love saying that.” George remembers fondly, “ She was phenomenal. She only about twenty six when she made that film but Marilyn was an actress who was deeply concerned about her work and was very conscientious. Let me give you an example of her professionalism: If there ever was a cut for any reason, she never went back to her trailer to check her makeup. She’d be there on her starting mark and ready for the next take.”
Eagle eyed Marilyn fans will also see him pop up very briefly in “How To Marry A Millionaire” in Marilyn’s character Pola’s dream sequence and during several musical numbers from “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”
Mr Chakiris has also been a wonderful friend to “Marilyn Remembered” over the years, speaking at various memorials, attending events and always happy to chat with his many fans.
Thankyou Mr Chakiris and happy birthday!
