Dorothy Blouse - Bobbie Koshay

In light of the 75th Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, I thought I would finally break out the costume within my collection that's my favorite.  Only a few people within my life know that I own this and even fewer know exactly what this piece is.  Now's the time to share.

The Wizard of Oz is reported to have been seen by more people than any other movie ever made.  The film is synonymous with Judy Garland and her role as the title player, Dorothy Gale.  Garland won her only oscar, an honorary Juvenile Award for her depiction of the little girl from Kansas.

Judy was 16 when she was cast as Dorothy, and even at that young age was considered one of MGM's hottest pieces of property.  The studios put her on diet pills so she could maintain her weight, stuffed rings in her nostrils to turn her nose up, fed her chicken broth consistently at lunch time, and bound her breasts everyday as to appear more childlike.

As is common practice, in an effort to allow stars time to rest, Garland was given two actresses that would support her during the Oz project.  Caren Marsh-Doll would serve as Judy's Stand-in and Bobbie Koshay as the Double.  Each actress was given a replica gingham dress, blouse, and pair of Ruby Slippers.

Bobbie Koshay spent more time on set than Caren Marsh-Doll.  Her job included standing under hot lights until camera was ready and performing stunts that were considered too dangerous for a star.  In fact Bobbie Koshay performed some of the most memorable moments within The Wizard of Oz.  It is Koshay that falls into the pig pen while Dorothy's balancing on a wooden fence.  Koshay opens the door and steps out of frame while Judy Garland walks into a technicolor Munchkinland.  And it is Koshay that taps her heels together three times at the end of the movie that brings her back home safely to Kansas.

When I was presented with the opportunity of owning Bobbie Koshay's blouse, I knew I had to have it.  I love the history of film, and while a Bobbie Koshay Dorothy blouse may not be as revered as a Judy Garland Dorothy blouse, the costume piece is just as special to me.  I also worked with Warner Bros. Studios in the film Saving Shiloh as Jason Dolley's Double.  So Double work has a special place in my heart as does this costume.

A few interesting facts about this piece... 1. The bottom of the blouse is equipped with a "hollow" pocket, just underneath the seam, that allows for a cord or string to be piped through.  The cord would be tightened in the back.  This helped prevent the blouse from rising during production.  2. Time has faded the blue rick rack to a baby blue.  3. The Blouse is marked Bobbie Koshay - Double

Babes On Broadway

Anyone that knows me, understands how big a fan I am of the Judy Garland/Mickey Rooney films.  Some of these films include lavish blackface 11:00 o'clock numbers, that echoed popular Vaudeville acts from the early 1900's.  Acts that by today's standards are politically incorrect.  

Vaudeville had been an integral part of Garland/Rooney's childhood and training, as both actors were stars traveling the circuit for years before auditioning at MGM.  After signed and realizing their talents, MGM decided to capitalize on their skills and recreate famous Vaudeville acts from the past.  

This particular act is one of MGM's creations, but it accurately showcases the studio's reputation for putting on lavish numbers and including as many signed stars that the studio had to offer.   This scene is just one of many examples showcasing the depths of these two star's talents.  

The Bow Tie below is one that has survived from this number.  You can find it throughout the scene being worn by the black face male extras.  I am always amazed to find any article of clothing from these films, especially something as silly as a bow tie.  How a minute article of clothing can survive for 70 plus years and maintain in like new condition is beyond me.

Dorothy Test Dresses -Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows

Today I thought I would break into the vault and post some costumes that don't get shared very often. When I first started to collect costumes, a family member was integral in helping acquire some of my first pieces.   Without their help I wouldn't have the complete "set" of test costumes.  As a result, these are among my most treasured. 

Throughout the years many historians have published fantastic books on the creation of the 1939 MGM film, The Wizard of Oz.  The two most visually stunning are The Wizard of Oz- The official 50th Anniversary Pictorial History by Authors John Fricke, Jay Scarfone, & William Stillman and The Wizards of Oz -The Artistry And Magic Of The 1939 M-G-M Classic by authors Jay Scarfone & William Stillman.  These two books opened my world on the creation/test process of the wardrobe used for the classic film.  I was amazed at the intended color choices, styles, and makeups for many of these iconic and beloved characters.  

When Lorna Luft's ABC miniseries Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows aired on February 25th, 2001-I was even more intrigued by Adrian's creative design process.  Many of the test Dorothy costumes that were created for the 1939 MGM classic had been carefully reproduced for the ABC Documentary.  I soon became obsessed with the possibilities of "What might have been."

Soon thereafter my Grandmother had called and told me that Lorna Luft- daughter of Judy Garland and partner- ABC studios were set to purge their costume inventory from the Emmy Award winning documentary.  The sale would go live through ebay and the entire world could bid on the costumes.  

When the day came my heart raced as it would be my first auction experience.  Being very young at the time, a relative helped me through the process and we successfully won two of the Dorothy Test Costumes.  They arrived shortly after, but I soon noticed my set was incomplete.  My relative and I searched for years trying to find the third missing costume, and one day it just fell in his lap.  Here are the costumes from the documentary including the original test dresses they were modeled after.  

Richard Thorpe Dorothy Costume from the first few weeks of filming

Life With Judy Garland Me and My Shadows recreation 

  

Blue Test Dress with raised white polka dots 

The ABC documentary creatively changed the color of their test dress to pink

 Another Test Dress With A Test Apron Covering

The Surviving Test Dress

My Test Apron From Life With Judy Garland Me and My Shadows.  

The Apron appears over the blue Thorpe test dress within the documentary.

AS THEY LOOK NOW:

My Oz Costume Wish List:

1: "Off-Camera" Dorothy Dress

2: "On Camera" Dorothy Dress

I'm looking for ANY Dorothy Test Costume tested during the pre-production phase of the 1939 MGM classic The Wizard of Oz. I'm also hoping to find the two Dorothy costumes pictured above that were used within the ABC Documentary.  

Please Contact for sale or Chat:

OzCostumeCollector@gmail.com

Twitter: @HedleyScott

Thanks! 

Swing Mr. Mendelssohn!

This past month I was fortunate enough to be contacted by a wonderful man who knew of my collection.  He had found a costume that I would most certainly be interested in.  One of my favorite MGM films from the 30's is "Everybody Sing."   It features a fantastic cast including stars Judy Garland, Billie Burke, and Fanny Brice.

Probably the most notable scene within the film is  "Swing Mr. Mendelssohn," performed by a very young Judy Garland.  This scene has been used within countless documentaries and lasts as a prime example of Garland's talent level at a young age.

Although the costume is not Garland's and that of an extra's, the example is still incredible and I couldn't pass it up.

I had to get this piece.

The costume will go through a careful restoration as to remove the stains so that it may be preserved for many generations to come.

Emerald City Costume

Today I'm thrilled to share another costume I've recently added to my collection.  The thrill of costume collecting, is sometimes a piece will come up to auction that has never been seen before by the public eye.  This Emerald City Vest is a perfect example of that.

For the past year I have been wanting to add another MGM 1939 Wizard of Oz piece to my collection.  When I stumbled across this vest, I knew I had to have it.  Although the piece is not instantly recognizable as being used within Oz, the fact had no consequence as I never collect to sell and achieve a return.  I collect to preserve American film history and enjoy the piece itself.

The vest is very well documented throughout the making of the film.  Seen above is an MGM still with the actor testing the vest.  Below you can see him testing the piece on set.

Most importantly, the vest survives on the final copy of the film.  Below you can see the actor running for his life as the Wicked Witch of the West writes her threatening message in the sky.  

The costume now rests safely within my collection.  The vest has been put on a safe ethafoam mannequin that will protect the fabrics and shape of the costume for many years.  Careful attention was paid to acquire museum conservation glass as to protect the dye from UV rays and dust.  A modern recreation of the Cowardly Lion's Emerald City Robe lies beneath.