Costume Designer - Quantum Leap, Somewhere In Time, The Blue Lagoon, Battlestar Galactica, Heart and Souls. Author - Abracadabra Alakazam and The Naked Truth.
Happy 99th Birthday to my most wonderful friend, June Lockhart, who did more than anyone in Hollywood to help me achieve success when I arrived on the scene 50 years ago. Her infectious laugh, bright cheerful smile & extremely great sense of humor has brightened my days!❤️🩷♥️❤️
Just ran across this photograph that Roddy McDowell took of the most gorgeous woman I deeply loved & adored, Jean Simmons. It was done right after “The Happy Ending” for which she was Oscar nominated. He gave it to me because it was my favorite of all her hairdos. ♥️❤️♥️❤️♥️❤️
My favorite costume designer was Orry-Kelly because he knew how to create simplicity. I was so thrilled in 1974 when I found Ingrid Bergman’s gown he did for “Casablanca”. After buying it w/almost all the money I had, it’s still in perfect condition after 50 years in storage.
Edith Head was indeed a very famous costume designer, probably the best known in the business, and did indeed design every costume you’ve ever seen of hers. She was my mentor. The only person who has more Oscars than she does is Walt Disney.
Happy Birthday to the most beautiful woman I ever knew...who, coincidentally, was a fantastic, multi-talented actress, the love of my life, a very funny and witty lady, and someone who kept her real name, Jean Simmons. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Two of the best guys I ever worked with who were never late for fittings and were always excited to see what I had next cooked up for them to wear next. I was really spoiled, but then, I deserved it after the plethora of whiny actors I had had to cow-tow to in my storied career.
The first of all the costumes made for the film. I called them “the Baskin Robbin’s collection” as I did everything in pastels because soft Fuji film was used for the past, & harsh Kodak film was used for the present to emphasize the difference of the aura between present & past.
Watching Somewhere in Time. Besides Christopher Reeve, the most beautiful thing in the movie is the dress Else is wearing when she and Richard first meet. Something about it just speaks to me. Stunning. Designed by
@spclsmthin
Ooops…I forgot about Roddy McDowall. We worked together so much. He bought his entire contemporary wardrobe from the producers after “Dead Man’s Island” wrapped. He always loved the things I did for him.
Lastly, it would be gauche to leave out the great and kindhearted Patrica Neal who I became close friends with when we did “The Bastard” together and I helped her with her French accent since she was playing a French woman. What a brave lady she was!♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
One of the greatest experiences I ever had. What a ride! Scott and Dean were the best…and the opportunity to design so many diverse periods in history was WONDERFUL. Thank you, all of you faithful fans who made all the leaps!!!!!!❤️💙🩷🧡🩵💚💛🤎
Wishing a Happy 35th Birthday to Quantum Leap which premiered on this day in 1989
A show that means a lot to me
It's been there when I needed a laugh, comfort and background familiarity noise
Happy Quantum Leap day, in a Leap Year of all things
#QuantumLeap
Just the nicest guy in the world. He was on “The Lot” & we had so much fun for two episodes that he guest starred in. Always on time, knew his lines and everyone else’s, was kind and extremely courteous to everyone in the cast and crew. Can’t ask for a better person to work with.
Hey, how can you run this picture & NOT give RODDY McDOWALL a credit? He was just as wonderful an actor that HOLLYWOOD never honored no matter how many great parts he played. Such an embarrassment on the industry considering all the charity work he did for the Motion Picture Home
Terry Carter was a WONDERFUL man, great actor and totally fabulous to work with. I was lucky to dress him three times, most prominently for the whole series of the original “ Battlestar Galactica.” He always had a warm smile and welcoming embrace every time we met. RIP!!!
Dean hated fittings; he had been through so many since a child actor. So, knowing how wrapped up he would be w/such a demanding role, I had the tailor-shop build a form for him & they made up my designs. I would have them delivered to the set, sight unseen. He NEVER gripped once.
After having been branded a misogynist by twits who don’t know shit from Shinola, I’ve decided to do an homage to all the actresses I adore. Top of the list would be the dearest love of my life, Jean Simmons. ♥️💋🩷💋❤️💋💜💋🧡
After days of regrouping while reading the overwhelming number of posts from you followers expressing your concern (THANK YOU SO MUCH) on my behalf, I agree w/you about disregarding trolls. So I’m siding w/Elton John, after listening to his song,…and in short, THE BITCH IS BACK!
Mar. 18, 1981: This TV show debuted…
🎶 “Believe it or not, I'm walkin' on air
I never thought I could feel so free
Flyin' away on a wing and a prayer
Who could it be?
Believe it or not it's just me…”
Enough about ratty ppl, let’s talk about the most BEAUTIFUL WOMAN I ever worked with, Anne Ramsey.
We did “National Lampoon’s Class Reunion” and I fell in love w/this sweet, good natured, loving, appreciative, kind & charming actress. There isn’t enough room to sing her praises
June had a great sense of humor. She sent me this photograph from “Lost in Space” when I was signed to do the epic Sci-fi series “Battlestar Galactica”. Thought you might get a laugh out of it like I did.
She was a LADY who always knew her lines, her marks, never kept the camera waiting and did retake after retake without complaining.
I talk about being professional. THAT IS PROFESSIONALISM that has all but disappeared in films today.
Who also wrote “Bid Time Return” that became the cult classic “Somewhere in Time,” giving me the opportunity to create some of my finest work. (He also did “ The Incredible Shrinking Man” that was one of my favorite films.)
I saw this dress over 50 years ago and it was WHITE. There was no yellow to it. What you are looking at is a dress that has yellowed over age because it was NOT vacuum sealed or wrapped in acid free tissue to protect it. Edith had it in her Universal office when I first met her.
Elizabeth Taylor and Edith Head’s combined talents made this dress an icon. A Place in the Sun won Head the Oscar and the widely copied yellow pastel and white tulle gown was the best selling dress for 2 years.
Oops, I almost left out the loveliest and classiest lady I know, your favorite and mine, “Jeannie”, the adorable
@Barbara_Eden
who, regrettably, I have only worked with once. But she was the BEST!!💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋
Dean Stockwell in one of my favorite outfits (out of the hundreds I designed for him). I think about what a wonderful individual he was & how he placed his entire character in my hands each week. He truly spoiled me as I never had an actor before or after who let me do my thing.
Here are shots from “Battlestar Galactica” that were given to me at a fan club screening held of the film last week up north. It reminded me that I sometimes did over 250 individual costumes for each episode of the series. A huge amount of work that I had forgotten about creating
Next in line was Edith Head who gave me a helping hand by proclaiming I was the only one who could be her successor. She was the most creative individual I have ever known as well as being sincere, generous, kind and honest.
This is a photos Roddy took of JeanSimmons that he gave me. It has always been my favorite of the hundreds I have of her. If you notice, she only wore a trace of makeup when she wasn’t on screen. A bit of eyeliner and some lipstick and that was it. No use gilding a lily.
While doing a recent interview, I was informed that I have dressed 7 of the James Bond men. 6 were villains: Joseph Wiseman, Louise Jourdan, Donald Pleasant, Patrick McNee, Bruce Glover, Daniel Benzali, & 1 good guy, Joe Don Baker. Plus 7 Bond girls I had never counted up! Wow!!
Beautiful, wonderful friend who endured more than her share of tragedy in life, but soldiered on w/her head held high. Of all the brilliant actresses I designed for, she was the most outstanding example of courage.Miss you, Pat, dearly!
“There must be an inn close by!” Her line.
This is Judy Garland’s collapsible top hat he gave to me when he knew his time was short. He was generous with other collectibles he had and I have treasured them for years.
The ONLY TRUE Tom Ridley. The others have only been pretenders to the throne…coming nowhere close to the charismatic full-dimensional character Delon brought to the screen.
And I can’t go another step without enshrining June Lockhart who was the first major star I became friends with, to this day, when she came up to me and introduced herself after I won the LA Drama Critics award in 1975. 💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋
A new date that will be remembered in history. For the VERY FIRST TIME ever a former president of the United States is convicted of felony on all accounts. There is hope for justice in this country after all!!!!
Attention FREELANCE ILLUSTRATORS - Am looking for someone to do a book cover illustrations. Ability to do J.C. Leyerdecker looking men and some impressionistic background like Gaugin (especially of Martinique island). Please send a website where I can see samples of your work.
Bi-annual Living Hitchcock Actresses List
Eva Marie Saint, 100 Happy Birthday!🍾
Brigitte Auber, 99
Vera Miles, 95 in August
Tippi Hedren, 94
Kim Novak, 91
Shirley MacLaine, 90
Julie Andrews, 88
Barbara Leigh-Hunt, 88
Diane Baker, 86
#TCMParty
#NorthByNorthwest
#OntheWaterfront
Miss Bankhead was infamous for not wearing any underwear. In moving about in the cramped boat, Hitchcock pulled her aside and said, “Miss Bankhead we are having trouble getting this shot and can’t determine if this a problem for the camera, costumes, or your private hairdresser!”
LIFEBOAT [1944]
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
This is one of the very few Hitchcock movies I haven't seen. I've been told it has one of Hitch's sneakiest cameos (which was already spoiled 😂). What do you think of the film?
Lumpy, frumpy, ugly, overbearing, & extremely cumbersome. Where’s the glamour, the sleek lines to enhance the body, an aura to attract. This looks like an oversized blanket that has been Jerry rigged to walk into the room & completely steal any interest in the person wearing it.
I thought my dear friend, Donna Pescow, really rocked this film, far more than the horrendously bad leading lady and yet she is hardly ever recognized for her brilliant performance.
❤️♥️❤️🩷♥️❤️
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER [1977]
This movie is so well-known it's become part of the fabric of popular culture. Everyone on the planet knows Stayin' Alive. Today it may feel dated and an easy target for jokes but what is your honest opinion of it? 🤔
Some of the jewelry sets purchased from Mae West’s estate that I used on the film about her. “Mae West”. Every costumes in the film was researched and copied exactly like her original ensembles. What a task that was, but very rewarding in achieving the accurateness.
And of all the sexy sirens I have dressed, none were more appreciative, fun, and a real kick to work with than the hottest chick to ever come down the pike, Pamela Hensley. What a marvelous sweetheart and SO EASY to dress…maybe I should say, “undress”!
One of my very favorite variety entertainers was Lou Rawls. I met him when he guest starred on "The Fall Guy". Thereafter, I did his & his backup singer's costumes for 7 years. It was always thrilling to be invited by him to go to Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe to see his performances.
The absolute worst. Just about everyone who ever met thought so. I think “she thought her sh-t didn’t stink” best described her. She was totally appalling the 8 times I ran into her. I turned down a film because of all the horror stories I had heard. She WAS NOT like her image.
OMG… thanks so much for putting this up.
This is my longtime good friend Nina Shipman who played Novak’s doppleganger in the film. When she turns around, Stewart sees that it isn’t Novak. Hitchcock got her on loan from Fox and then dyed her hair to match Novak’s. How lovely!
Hundreds of the world’s leading men have passed through my fitting room and I can tell you that the best body of everyone I’ve ever seen in the next-to-the-altogether is the sweetest man I ever knew.
Why? Because he didn’t act like he was hot shit!
❤️Alain Delon!💙‼️‼️‼️‼️
It’s ONE of the phoniest shots ever…if he were flying his cape would be trailing in the air behind him, not sagging with gravity as it is in this picture. Get real!!! Watch “The Greatest American Hero” that had better CGI effects.
@thetalentguru
@spclsmthin
I read somewhere that Angela Landsbury would cast her old acting friends on “Murder She Wrote” so they could keep their union insurance.
Menacing Anne Ramsey was one of the kindest most lovely actresses I ever worked w/who spent the majority of her screen time playing nasty, termagant battle-axes. Fans can except this, but the minute I put down one of their sacred cows, they are ready to burn me at the stake.🤔⁉️
Minnette and her favorite toy that used to be a red mouse. After years of fetching it and batting it around, it is now this fuzzy blob that she still delights in playing with. What a character!!!
This set of Austrian crystal rhinestones was given to me by Eva Gabor from her collection. She brought it in to wear with a hot pink gown I did for her & then, after we shot the scene, gave it to me in appreciation for all the things I had done for her. She was a lovely person.
@spclsmthin
I didn't realize that you'd designed the costumes for "Somewhere in Time". Jane Seymour's late-Edwardian toilettes, speaking as a longtime aficionado of Edwardian fashion, are some of the most dazzling I've ever seen in a film set in that period.
It not only black ppl, it’s the entire population who look more like the homeless every day. A sense of pride in ourselves has been wiped out with fast fashion that is synonymous with trash.
Before sagging pants, thigh split mini dresses, halter tops, body and face tattoos, and all day pajamas, our people dressed proudly and boldly. Today’s culture has forgotten what it meant to take pride in its appearance and we need to get that back!
When Glen Larson asked me to create a black. leather jacket for David Hasselhoff in “Knightrider” I said yes w/the provision that he didn’t ask me to do anything else in leather for years because I had to change my telephone number cause of all the S&M calls I was getting. LOL!
Remember and missing the great actor and friend that I spent five years dressing. What a wonderful, experience. I really miss all the fun we had, Dean,…and all your crazy outfits‼️‼️‼️
Donna and I attending a charity event in BH about Costume Design in Film where they showed my things from “Somewhere in Time.” That’s my sky blue & silver silk chiffon I did for her. I was mad for Donna as she was so honest, caring, bright, funny, kind, real, & so appreciative!
@spclsmthin
One of my favorite shows back in the day. Dean was a blast as Admiral Al - you must have had a heck of a time finding shirts that were suitably Leyte-wateringly loud enough for him to wear!
After the damaging, slanderous comment made by
@selfstyledsiren
about me, I AM NOT ANSWERING any future questions as I don’t want to go through such hurt again. No one has been so mean before.
BLAME this unlettered twit for ruining the party.
Sorry, I love EACH of you a lot.
Cary Grant and Fred Astaire were two of the most classy American actors. Then there was Marcello Mastroianni, and two of the most loving men in the world, Louis Jordan and Alain Delon. I would have cut my wrists for all of them. Truly wonderful men w/big hearts. ❤️
Another sketch of Scott Bakula as Man of La Mancha from the “Quantum Leap” series I did, “Catch a Falling Star” that I sent out as a Christmas card. Various auction houses want this costume & sketch right now, but haven’t decided. It depends on who they have that would love it.
There are no words to express the loss & sadness I feel w/Dean Stockwell’s passing. I had always admired him & was totally overwhelmed when he turned out to be one of the kindest, talented, nice people I would ever work w/in Hollywood. There aren’t that many I can say that about.
And Princess Ardala’s pearl beaded outfit in “Buck Rogers” gave Universal apoplexy when ALL the cost were totaled to $35,000. And her red peignoir w/monkey fur (old, found in Univ. stock) cost $25,000.
More from “Mae West” that’s available on Roku. It was nominated for Emmy Best Costume Design. Mae alone had 66 changes in the film and sings and dances six times, one of which is the classic, “Easy Rider”!
“When women go wrong, men go right after them.”
She was not only a sensational talent on stage or film, she was the nicest, sweetest, kindest actress/dancer/singer one would ever hope to meet. Never met a dancer who wasn’t. They work their asses off, yet are rarely ever temperamental. I’ve worked with some of the best.
“ whatever Lola wants , Lola gets “ Gwen Verdon was an American actress and dancer. She won four Tony Awards and she served as an uncredited choreographer's assistant and specialty dance coach for theater and film. Verdon was a critically acclaimed performer on Broadway
OMG…this is not the most original phrase, but I am tickled pink… just today another 15 books sold. I am over the moon. THANK YOU, thank you, THANK YOU! My hope of teaching the world what is required to be a costume designer is a realization. 🩷❤️💙💜💙🩵🩷❤️🩵🩵💚💛🧡 Whoopee!!
I CANNOT SAY THIS ENOUGH.
@HollandTaylor
is one of the MOST WONDERFUL
ppl actresses I ever worked with and has been a very loyal friend for over 20 years. They broke the mold when they made her‼️‼️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️💋💋💋💋💋💋
@nellewithguitar
@spclsmthin
I'd like to see more of your Reeve and Seymour art.. They looked amazing in "Somewhere in Time." So well done. (maybe I need to scroll back?)
Of course, it’s the wonderful Olivia Hussey whom I worked with 4 times …and would do it again in a second. She’s a wonderful, very professional
actress who is kind, thoughtful and very adorable.
One of my very favorite designs for "Battlestar Galactica" just sold for $37,750.00 at auction in Europe. It's so wonderful to know I have so many far flung fans who loved the work the I did. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!
My very best friend in the world going back to “BlowUp”. I absolutely adored David. He hired me for work in Australia, came to see all my theater work, got me stand in work when I needed a job. He was always there. We were identical in size when we met. I miss him so much. 💙
Some of my more glamorous work from the movie, “Mae West” that is now available for streaming. It took 43 years for them to release it Ruku, Pluto and Tubi. The jewelry in the photos actually belonged to Mae.
This is from the television special, "The World of James Bond" that received sensation reviews for the fashion, especailly this "Goldfinger" jumpsuit w/matching ankle boots. It was the first of the films to feature Bond's silver-birch Aston Martin DB5, brought in for the shoot.
I went to the LA opening & had dinner w/the sensational yet quiet and very unpretentious Curry who was just the nicest guy. Thereafter, when it became a film, I saw it 107 times, have the soundtrack & the DVD. Love, loved it immensely! Campy, off-beat, scandalous & entertaining.
I’m sure most of you following me thinking I’m immured by compliments, but that’s not true. I did 100s of projects where nobody ever thanked me. So when you write, telling me you appreciate my accomplishments, I want you to know how VERY grateful I am. It ain’t been easy. ❤️
I’ve seen a lot of hard-boiled babes in my life, but this one is 20 minutes. Take a close look at that pillow face, coated w/pancake makeup to hide her terrible acne. And what a fright w/those stenciled eyebrows. The hat kills the noise from the marbles banging about in her head.
BREAKING: MAGA Governor Kristi Noem desperately defends her decision to execute her dog Cricket for being "less than worthless" as a "hunting dog" and "untrainable."
"I hated that dog," Noem writes in her new book, which contains the shocking revelation that she shot him with a
One of the funniest things to ever happen to me was when we shot the costumes from “Buck Rogers”. We were about to wrap when the photographer suggested a group shot. This went on to become one of the hottest photos to ever circle the globe yet was all done spur of the moment!!❤️
If for no other reason, watch “Black Narcissus” for Jean Simmons’ magnificent performance as the 17 year old Himalayan girl, Kanchi. Most people don’t even know it is her upon first glance. She is beyond brilliant in the role.
One evening when Coral & Vinnie were having a dinner party, he was showing off his art collection afterwards when some woman, looking at a painting, said, “Eww, what is this ugly one called.”
W/o batting an eyelash, Coral replied, “We call it our favorite…so get outta here.”
Since my LA Times article was published, the black & white ball gown was discovered in Debbie Reynolds’collection. There were Paramount workroom labels inside it & it had a studio finish, not couture. I was so thrilled to finally have proof to clear Edith of plagiarism.
More sensational
actresses I worked w/& knew well.
Diane Keaton,Stockard Channing, Linda Cardinelli, Susan Blakely, Jennifer Aniston, Diane Lane, Betty White, Liz Torres, Alfre Woodard, Barbara Eden, Carole Lawrence, Barbara Billingsley, Jean Stapleton, Janet MacLachlan & Cher.
No, but I caught her when her heel broke in a NY apartment hall as we were both headed towards the elevator. She was absolutely the kindest, appreciative person who was quick with her with, just like in The Thin Man. I thought she was wonderful.
But colder than a witch’s teat in person. Obstinate, indecisive, temperamental, loud, obnoxious &thought she was “it” when she was nothing but a pain in the ass. I left the film because of her &they went through 8 other CDs after me trying to please her. No one ever did, though.
Sure do…I designed the costumes for the show, “Max Headroom,” It was one of the first programs on TV that had “punk” costumes, yet hardly anyone ever mentions it any more. I remember it well, as it was a lot of fun.
Absolutely the nicest women I ever had the pleasure of working with. Truly the best actress in “Somewhere in Time.” You can’t get any more professional than she was. Minutes before our first meeting, her best friend died, but she pulled herself together & went on w/the fitting.
PLEASE stop asking me if someone is gay or not…who cares? I’ve known MANY ppl in show biz who were straight and pretended to be gay, and vise versa. I never found any reason to pigeonhole a person a in such a manner as one’s sexual interest have ABSOLUTELY nothing to do w/work.
Anyone who would shoot a pet for any reason is a discipable ghoul & should be ostracized at every opportunity. Next she will take it upon herself to eradicate a human whom she doesn’t care for anymore & they get in her way. I can hardly wait to see what karma has in store for her
Anyone recognize future Best Supporting Actor George Chakiris one of the (uncredited) back-up dancers( mostly on the left) in this number? He danced in numerous films, like “There’s No Business Like Show Business” before he got the recognition he deserved in “West Side Story.”
@spclsmthin
@suzedithhead
Wow!...I'd love to be able to see her...I've always loved Edith for her fabulous designs...and she was a friend (I've heard, and I hope I'm not 'wrong') to one of my favorite ladies, Rosemary Clooney (and I've loved her since I was 8 years old)
I was sent a copy of my article by the LA Times editor, Matt Brennan in advance. He was the greatest. Here's the link for all you Dean Stockwell fans who loved him as much as I did.
Great photo. I was there when it was taken in the lobby of the Samuel Goldwyn Theater of the Academy when they had costume designers’ sketches displayed. It was my second year of membership, and they asked for sketches of mine as well. I was absolutely floored and very pleased.
Louis was brilliant at underplaying every role he did. He knew he didn’t have to chew the scenery, his voice &accent alone caught the audiences attention. And who could resists the come-hither looks he achieved with his expressive bedroom eyes. OMG!!! Pull back the sheets!
@spclsmthin
He was always a fabulous performer, and, here, a truly exceptional, but gently understated, Count. One of the greatest in a vastly oversubscribed role!