It seems that the dresses worn by Vivien Leigh playing Scarlet O'Hara in the movie Gone With The Wind are falling apart. The Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas is the current home of some of the most well known gowns from the movie, but they have become too shop-worn to be exhibited.
The museum is trying to raise $30,000 to restore the gowns to their former glory so they can be part of an exhibition planned in 2014 celebrating the 75th anniversary of the movie. It seems that dresses made for a movie are made to last as long as it takes to make the movie, not for 75 years, so these dresses need a lot of repair.
Among the dresses is the "Green Curtain Dress," a symbol of Scarlett's determination, made from the curtains at Tara when was trying to convince Rhett that things were well, when in fact she was desperate.
They also include the wedding dress Scarlett wore when she married Charles Hamilton,
and the burgandy ball gown.
I am as big a fan of Gone With The Wind as most people, but I am not sure that I would get my checkbook out to contribute to the restoration of the dresses, though I guess I hope it gets done.
I might however consider a small contribution to restoring the dress Carol Burnett wore in a parody of the "Green Curtain Dress" from Gone With The Wind in a sketch entitled Went With The Wind on her TV show in 1976. This dress made from curtains with the curtain rod still intact is a true classic.
I loved that segment on the Carol Burnett Show. I laughed 'till I cried! Of course I always did when I watched that show....they sure don't make 'em like that anymore. Yep, for that dress only.
ReplyDeleteHave a great evening girl!
I love that Carol Burnett skit. It is such a classic.
ReplyDeleteEverything about Carol Burnett is worth preserving wouldn't you say? She was born with a joke coming out of her mouth.
ReplyDeleteI remember that skit by Carol Burnett. And I can think of other ways to spend $30,000 than on restoring dresses.
ReplyDeleteI would write a check for Carol Burnett, too! I love the pictures of the GWTW dresses, but think that the money for their restoration could be used for a better cause right now.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Carol Burnett just rocks, clean hilarious comedy! The GWTW dresses just need a good burial. give me a break $30,000 who are they kidding?
ReplyDeleteOf course to some Hollywood star that is nothing. I wonder why it costs so much. what do they dow weave threads into the old fabrics? Good grief.
I have to admit I am curious about the process.
Would you believe I have never watched Gone With The Wind? Amazing eh? lol
ReplyDeleteI hope they get the money to restore the dresses.
I've never seen it either...but I do remember the skit on the Carol Burnett show...it was a classic
ReplyDeleteI would definitely chip in to restoring the Carol Burnett dress. I loved that skit!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend, jj
hmmmm
ReplyDeleteI bet they will be able to raise the money
I loved the Carol Burnett skit too
Just saw it awhile back on some other show
still such funny material
Skit
not dress (o:
I went to that exhibit!! You can't tell by looking at pictures of the dresses, but she was really tiny!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Europe. No time to write, but a little time to catch up on my favorite blogs. Love Carol Burnett and all her friends. Miss that show, truthfully. Catching a little english speaking tv here... expecting old reruns, but they are pretty current in Germany and Austria. Not sure those dresses would be my charity of choice either, although I would be sad at their demise.
ReplyDeleteOh, I must check out that Carol Burnett skit!
ReplyDeleteI do love Gone with the Wind... but can think of more pressing disasters in the world that need our help.
The Green Curtain Dress has always been my favorite, preCISEly because of Carole Burnett! I hope they raise the funds they need. These gowns are national treasures, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteI've used that Carol Burnett photo on my blog before! I loved that skit. And I'm old enough to remember it well:)
ReplyDeleteI always thought the Green Curtain Dress was so pretty and Carol Burnett was the funniest.
ReplyDelete