I spent most of last week visiting family who recently moved to Austin, Texas and I had a wonderful time! One of the highlights of my trip was visiting the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas where they are currently showcasing an exhibition featuring items from the Center's own collection entitled "The Making of Gone With The Wind" in honor of the film's 75th anniversary. I took this picture of the original dress worn in the 1939 movie by Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara. In the storyline of the movie, Scarlett fashioned the dress out of her mother's old curtains because she had no money for clothes. She wore the dress in the stable scene of the movie where she visited Rhett Butler (played by Clark Gable) in Atlanta to try and talk him into giving her the money to pay the taxes on her plantation after the Civil War. That's why it is referred to as the "curtain dress". There was also a famous parody sketch done by Carol Burnett on her comedy show many years ago, where she wore a similar dress, but left the curtain rod in at her shoulders and I can't see this dress without thinking about that show because it was so hilarious. You can find out more about this wonderful exhibition and the Harry Ransom Center by visiting their website here. I will show another dress worn by Vivien Leigh in the movie tomorrow.
11 comments:
How exciting to see the actual dress. I had no idea it was made out of curtains, looks very warm and cosy.
Oh, that is great to sea. I love those exhibitions with clothes worn before by famous people.
Nice! I cannot believe the movie is marking its 75th anniversary. I read the book in high school and gobbled it up. By the way, as soon as I read your title and saw the pic, I thought of that Carol Burnette skit -- hysterical! I think the Burnette-curtain-rod dress is now on display at the Smithsonian.
that is my all-time favorite carol burnett sketch. i don't know how she held it together during that! :)
only scarlett can look gorgeous in a curtain! i've seen the carol burnett one at the smithsonian...that was such a hilarious episode!
Great !
Ah, an all time favorite movie of mine, as well as the Carol Burnett sketch!! I loved it, too!! Such a great shot with such wonderful memories, Lois!! Thanks for sharing!!
It's a movie that I can understand why it's so acclaimed, but it's not one that I can get into. I do love the score, though. I've got the Tara theme running through my head.
I never saw that Carol Burnett sketch, but it sounds hilarious -- as so many of here shows were. Great post.
I have seen the movie many times and remember this dress quite well!
Lucky you! Would love to see this exhibit!
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