Hollywood history on the auction block
Audrey Hepburn's iconic Ascot dress from "My Fair Lady," designed by legendary designer Cecil Beaton, sold for 3,700,000 at Debbie Reynolds' auction.
"Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" dress
Starring as Lorelei Lee in 1953's "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," Marilyn Monroe dazzled in this red-sequined gown. She wore it during her performance of "Two Little Girls from Little Rock."
This dress went up for action in 2011 as actress and singer Debbie Reynolds looked to sell off her collection of famous movie costumes, props and memorabilia. Reynolds hoped to turn her collection into a museum, but after years of trying to secure financing and venues, the project fell through. The auction's proceeds are to go toward paying off Reynolds' debts.
Marilyn Monroe dress auctions for $4.6M
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"Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"
Here's the iconic costume in 2011. Even the feathered hat survived under Reynolds' care.
The dress is made of a heavy silk crepe with thousands of hand-sewn sequins spiraling in every direction, starting small at the top and finishing in large singular sequins around the bottom, enabling them to catch the light from all angles.
The dress was acquired by Debbie Reynolds directly from Twentieth Century-Fox during the "pre-sale" when she bought all of the Marilyn Monroe wardrobe from the studio prior to the auction in 1971. The dress was expected to fetch $200,000-$300,000 at auction.
Final sale price: $1.2 million
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"Ark of the Covenant"
Seen in the 1951 movie "David and Bathsheba," this full-scale gilt-lacquered "Ark of the Covenant" joined Debbie Reynolds' collection. It was to be sold to help pay off the star's debts.
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"David and Bathsheba"
The gilt-lacquered ark - a key element in the movie's storyline - was expected to go at auction for $20,000 to $30,000. The auction house adds, "Special shipping arrangements will apply."
Did not sell
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"Ben-Hur"
Charlton Heston's ceremonial tunic and cape from the royal procession into Rome in 1959's "Ben-Hur" will also be on sale at Reynolds' auction.
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"Ben-Hur"
The complete ceremonial costume worn by Charlton Heston was expected to earn $20,000 to $30,000 at auction.
Final sale price: $320,000
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"Planet of the Apes"
Remember Charlton Heston as Col. George Taylor in 1968's "Planet of the Apes"? His primitive robe of rags were up for auction, from Debbie Reynolds' collection.
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"Planet of the Apes"
Heston's "Planet of the Apes" costume - a two-piece brown felt rag outfit - was expected to make $8,000 to $12,000 at auction.
Final sale price: $11,000
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"Cleopatra"
Elizabeth Taylor knew how to make a scene as Cleopatra. A royal ceremonial headdress seen in the 1963 film helped make that grand statement. The headdress - part of an extensive collection pieced together by screen legend Debbie Reynolds - was to be part of a museum that never got funding.
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"Cleopatra"
The ceremonial headdress worn by Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra was expected to bring $30,000-$50,000 at auction. The piece, worn by Taylor as she enters Rome with Caesar
"The Wizard of Oz"
Judy Garland's Dorothy test costume, worn in the first two weeks of filming "The Wizard of Oz," is also up for auction, from Debbie Reynolds' extensive collection.
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"The Wizard of Oz"
The blue cotton dress has polka dot trim and ivory sheer puff-sleeved blouse with blue ribbon. The dress features a handwritten label that says, "Judy Garland 3955." It was expected to take in $60,000 to $80,000 at auction.
High Bid: $910,000
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"The Wizard of Oz"
These may not be the ruby slippers you remember. But they are part of "Wizard of Oz" history. These Arabian-pattern test "Ruby Slippers" were worn by Judy Garland during the first two weeks of filming. The shoes are covered with red sequins and beads lined with red silk and are listed as being in "delicate condition." The auction catalog listed the shoes at $120,000 to $150,000.
Winning bid: $510,000
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"The Sound of Music"
Julie Andrews' dress from "The Sound of Music" was also up for sale.
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"The Sound of Music"
Andrews' "Maria" dress, which she wore while singing "Do-Re-Mi," was expected to lure $40,000 to $60,000 at auction.
Sale price: $550,000
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"River of No Return"
Marilyn Monroe wore this intricate saloon-girl gown in the 1954 film "River of No Return."
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"River of No Return"
The gold charmeuse gown covered with bugle beading, red fringe accents, and gold velvet train with red netting was expected to fetch $80,000-$120,000 at auction.
The dress was originally created by Helen Rose for Betty Grable as "Kate Farley" in the "Cuddle Up a Little Closer" number in the 1953 film "Coney Island." The dress was later worn by Monroe in the 1954 film "River of No Return."
Debbie Reynolds acquired the dress directly from Twentieth Century-Fox during a "pre-sale" when she bought all of the Marilyn Monroe wardrobe from the studio prior to the auction in 1971.
Sale price: $510,000
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"There's No Business Like Show Business"
Marilyn Monroe as "Vicky" performing "Heat Wave" in "There's No Business Like Show Business" (1954).
"There's No Business Like Show Business"
This complex outfit by designer Travilla, which features a handwritten label reading, "M. Monroe," was expected to attract $200,000 to $300,000 at auction.
Sale price: $500,000
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"Cleopatra"
Richard Burton as Mark Antony in the 1963 film "Cleopatra."
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"Cleopatra"
This costume worn by Richard Burton as Mark Antony in several scenes of "Cleopatra" was expected to take in $20,000 to $30,000 at auction.
Sale price: $85,000
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"Ben-Hur"
Stephen Boyd played the character Messala in 1959's "Ben-Hur."
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"Ben-Hur"
The costume, with its elaborate ceremonial metal breastplate, also includes an ornate metal-handled short sword. The costume was worn by Stephen Boyd as Messala in the scene where Heston is apprehended by Roman soldiers. The costume was expected to bring in $20,000-$30,000.
High bid: $60,000
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"Salome"
Rita Hayworth as "Salome."
"Salome"
Hayworth's signature flesh chiffon dress with halter by designer Jean Louis was expected to fetch $12,000-$15,000 at auction.
Sale price: $15,000
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"Sergeant York"
Gary Cooper as Alvin C. York in the 1941 film "Sergeant York."
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"Sergeant York"
The complete WWI military uniform, with accessories from "Sergeant York," features a vintage Army green wool WWI military jacket with three original military medals (not screen-used) and AA patch on sleeve. Also included are patches for decoration he received during the film. A label inside the costume reads, "Gary Cooper."
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"Sergeant York"
The costume, worn by Gary Cooper in his Academy Award-winning role in "Sergeant York," was expected to earn $20,000
"The Seven Year Itch"
Marilyn Monroe wore this Travilla dress in the 1955 movie "The Seven Year Itch" during the scene in which she stood over a subway grate and said, "Oh, isn't it delicious?"
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"The Seven Year Itch"
The ivory pleated "Subway" dress featured in "The Seven Year Itch" has a handwritten label that reads "1-27-1-8171 M. Monroe A-734-12."
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"The Seven Year Itch"
Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell in "The Seven Year Itch."
The fabric fashion designer Travilla chose for Monroe's costume was an ivory colored rayon-acetate crepe, heavy enough to flow beautifully as Marilyn walked but still light enough to blow up in an interesting way.
The dress was acquired by Debbie Reynolds directly from Twentieth Century-Fox during a "pre-sale," when she bought all the Marilyn Monroe wardrobe from the studio before a 1971 auction.
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"The Seven Year Itch"
The iconic dress was expected to fetch $1 million to $2 million at auction.
Sale price: $4.6 million
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The Little Tramp
Charlie Chaplin wore a signature bowler hat in numerous productions as "The Tramp" character.
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The Little Tramp
This black felt bowler hat, gifted by Charlie Chaplin to the Hollywood Heritage Museum and acquired for Debbie Reynolds
Sherlock Holmes
Basil Rathbone starring as Sherlock Holmes. Rathbone wore this costume in both 1939 films "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" and "Hound of the Baskervilles."
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Sherlock Holmes
Debbie Reynolds is now selling the signature iconic caped overcoat Basil Rathbone wore from the productions. The tan and black square checked wool cape overcoat has a label reading "Basil Rathbone." The costume was expected to earn $20,000 to $30,000 at auction.
Sale price: $50,000
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"To Catch a Thief"
Grace Kelly as Frances Stevens in the 1955 film classic "To Catch a Thief."
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"To Catch a Thief"
Kelly's dress from the movie, a two-piece rose crepe outfit from the scenic drive in the film, features a short-sleeve top that has heavy white wool embroidery, and a knee-length full-pleated skirt with drop waist.
The dress was expected to bring in $30,000 to $50,000.
Sale price: $450,000
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"Cleopatra"
Elizabeth Taylor wearing a royal red crown in the lavish 1963 film "Cleopatra."
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"Cleopatra"
The crown is up for auction and is in "excellent overall condition," according to the auction house officiating the sale of Debbie Reynolds' collection. The crown was expected to earn $8,000-$12,000 at auction.
Sale price: $70,000
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"Cleopatra"
Debbie Reynolds' collection also includes some interesting movie props, such as the gold-painted Thoth figure from the 1963 film "Cleopatra."
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"Cleopatra"
This gold-painted fiberglass deity figure seen in the movie in Cleopatra's private worship chamber was expected to earn $2,000 to $3,000 at auction.
Final sale price: $13,000
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Harpo Marx
Harpo Marx wore a 1930s vintage top hat and wig in several Marx Brothers films.
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Harpo Marx
This Harpo Marx hat with attached wig was expected to fetch $20,000-$30,000 at Debbie Reynolds' auction.
Final sale price: $45,000
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"Cleopatra"
Elizabeth Taylor on a royal sedan chair in "Cleopatra."
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"Cleopatra"
The settee sedan chair used to hand-carry Elizabeth Taylor in the 1963 film "Cleopatra" had been removed for presumed re-use in other productions. The seat has been re-upholstered.
The seat was expected to sell for $12,000 to $15,000 at auction.
Sale price: $16,000
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"National Velvet"
Elizabeth Taylor as Velvet Brown in "National Velvet."
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"National Velvet"
Elizabeth Taylor's racing silks and riding pants from the 1944 film "National Velvet" was expected to earn $10,000-$15,000 at auction.
Sale price: $60,000
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"Samson and Delilah"
Victor Mature wearing a poncho-style primitive cloak as Samson in the 1949 film "Samson and Delilah."
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"Samson and Delilah"
Edith Head and her team won the Oscar for Best Costume Design for "Samson and Delilah." This costume, worn early in the film by Victor Mature, consists of a heavy cloak of linen-lined nubby fabric patched together with yarn like a quilt.
The cloak was expected to fetch $3,000-$5,000 at auction.
Final price: $3,500
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"Samson and Delilah"
Hedy Lamarr as Delilah in the 1949 film "Samson and Delilah."
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"Samson and Delilah"
This is one of the final costumes worn by Hedy Lamarr in "Samson and Delilah."
Original elements on this Edith Head costume have disintegrated and been replaced with new fabric to preserve the essence of the original design.
This costume was expected to fetch $8,000-$12,000 at auction.
High bed: $12,000
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"Joan of Arc"
Ingrid Bergman starring in the 1948 production "Joan of Arc."
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"Joan of Arc"
Bergman's costume, a full suit of armor with leather gloves and chain mail vest, was expected to earn $20,000-$30,000 at Debbie Reynolds' auction.
High bid: $50,000
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