PIECES FROM THE LOPERFIDO COLLECTION
showcased at the Everson Museum of Art
401 Harrison Street, Syracuse, NY
Brown dress worn by Joanne Woodward in From The Terrace
20th Century Fox released From The Terrace in July of 1960 starring Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. The story centers around Alfred Eaton (Newman), an ambitious young executive, climbing to the top of New York's financial world as his marriage crumbles. At the brink of attaining his career goals, he is forced to choose between business success, married to the beautiful but unfaithful Mary (Woodward), or starting over with his true love, the much younger Natalie (Ina Balin). 1960 was also the year Joanne became the first actress to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Tunic and pants worn by Geena Davis in Cutthroat Island
Carolco Pictures Inc. released Cutthroat Island in December of 1995 starring Geena Davis as Morgan Adams. Her dying father's legacy to her are his pirate ship and one-third of a map of a treasure island, unusually inscribed on his scalp. Thinking herself in need of a Latin scholar to unravel the map, she buys alearned slave, William Shaw and sets off in search of the rest of the map. However, it is Shaw, obviously with plans of his own, who gets the second part. He's somewhat easier to deal with, though, than the holder of the third part -Morgan's less-than-loving pirate uncle Dawg. Interestingly, the flag flown by Morgan Adams was in reality the flag flown by "Calico" Jack Rackham, one of the only Caribbean Pirates to have women on his crew; Anne Bonny and Mary Read. He later turned his ship over to the two women. The film was originally scheduled to star Michael Douglas, who pulled out claiming that Geena Davis' role was expanded at his character's expense. Unfortunately, Cutthroat Island is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest loss of money for a film company ever.
Red/White check outfit from "Guys & Dolls"
The Samuel Goldwyn Company released Guys and Dolls in November of 1955 starring Marlon Brando and Jean Simmonds. It seems all the hot gamblers are in town, and they're all depending on Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra) to set up this week's "Oldest Established Permanent Floating Crap Game in New York." The only problem is, he needs $1000 to get the place. The decision to cast Marlon Brando was hotly contested, largely by Frank Sinatra, who wanted the part of Sky Masterson himself. Later in his career, he made Sky's big number "Luck Be A Lady" part of his stage act. Though it features some of the finest performances in movie musicals, there is not a soundtrack recording for this movie. One was issued on vinyl, assumedly in a limited edition, in the '70s.
Red jacket worn by Robert Taylor (size 40).
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) released Remember? in December of 1939. Sky (Lew Ayres)and Linda (Greer Garson) meet on vacation and become engaged. When Sky introduces Linda to his best friend, Jeff (Taylor), Linda and Jeff fall in love and marry. But Jeff's work puts a strain on the marriage and a divorce is planned. Sky uses an experimental memory loss drug to make Linda and Jeff forget their rough times (and the fact that they were married) and they fall in love all over again. MGM expected this film to be huge with the pairing of Taylor and Garson, two of Hollywood's most attractive stars. But alas, the story is king and Remember?
Pink feather costume from White Chicks
Sony Pictures released the spoof White Chicks in June of 2004. This is a Wayans Family project about two disgraced FBI agents who go way undercover in an effort to protect two hotel heiresses, the Wilson Sisters, from a kidnapping plot. This dress is a take off from another spoof, a similar dress was worn by singer Bjorn at the Cannes Film Festival a few years ago.
Animal print jacket and pants worn by Gérard Depardieu in 102
Dalmatians
102 Dalmatians was released in November of 2000 by Walt Disney Pictures. After a spot therapy Cruella De Vil is released from prison a changed woman. Devoted to dogs and good causes, she is delighted that Chloe, her parole officer, has a dalmatian family and connections with a dog charity. But the bangs of Big Ben reverse the treatment so it is only a matter of time before Ms De Vil is back to her incredibly ghastly ways... The clothes in this film are unusual, fun and in high collector demand.
Caftans worn by Bob Hope and Bing Crosby in Road to Zanzibar
Paramount Pictures released Road to Zanzibar in April of 1941. Bing Crosby and his pal Fearless (Bob Hope) flee a South African carnival when their sideshow causes a fire. After several similar escapades, they've finally saved enough money to return to the USA, when Chuck spends it all on a "lost" diamond mine. Originally, this film was not supposed to be a sequel to Road to Singapore. In fact, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope were not even supposed to be in it. The film was first offered to Fred MacMurray and George Burns, who both rejected it. While assembling a list of contract Paramount stars to offer it to, someone at the studio remembered that Road to Singapore had done relatively well, and Hope and Crosby seemed to work well together, so it was offered to them. The rest, as they say, is history.
Flintstones costumes worn by Fred and Betty
Universal Pictures released The Flinstones in Viva Rock Vegas in April of 2000 to a welcoming audience. It is a live-action prequel to the 1994 comedy hit, The Flintstones and the Rubbles go on a trip to Rock Vegas, where Wilma is pursued by playboy Chip Rockefeller. Not many people know that the producers opted for the prequel approach in this second film mainly due to 'John Goodman' 's refusal to reprise his role as Fred Flintstone.
Pink silk nightgown and robe worn by Barbara Stanwyck
Orphaned at a young age and raised by an older sister (a chorus girl) who occasionally left her to board with family friends, Barbara Stanwyck quit school at age 13 and, after working in several menial jobs, wangled a spot in a chorus line. Intent on becoming an actress, she eventually landed straight parts that led to winning the female lead in a popular Broadway melodrama, The Noose. Stanwyck made her film debut (playing a dancer) in Broadway Nights (1927), but returned to the Great White Way for more stage successes. In 1928 she married vaudeville and stage star Frank Fay, with whom she went to Hollywood. Other early films include The Locked Door and Mexicali Rose (both 1929). Barbara was nominated for four Academy Awards, though she never won. She was considered a gem to work with for her serious but easygoing attitude on the set. She never allowed her star quality to go to her head. In 1982, Stanwyck was awarded an Honorary Academy Award for "superlative creativity and unique contribution to the art of screen acting." She died on January 20, 1990, leaving 93 movies and a host of TV appearances as her legacy to us. This nightgown and robe are from her personal wardrobe.
Grey wool Civil War military costume
New Line Pictures released Gettysburg in October of 1993 a four-hour depiction of the historical and personal events surrounding and including the decisive American civil war battle features thousands of civil war re-enactors marching over the exact ground that the federal army and the army of North Virginia fought on. Based upon the novel The Killer Angels. This movie featured over 13,000 volunteer civil war reenactors that paid their own way, provided their own props, and fought the battles presented on screen using the same tactics as were current at the time.
Civil War era ball gown costume from They Died With Their Boots On
Warner Brothers released They Died With Their Boots On in November of 1941. A Hollywoodized account of General Custer (Errol Flynn) from the time he enters West Point military academy, through the American Civil War, and finally to his death at Little Big Horn. The battle against Chief Crazy Horse is portrayed as a crooked deal between politicians and a corporation which wants the land Custer gave to the Indians. This film was a centerpiece in Warner's western film era for the period.
Corn husk costume worn by Adam Sandler in 50 First Dates
Columbia Pictures Corporation released 50 First Dates in February, 2004. Henry Roth (Adam Sandler) is a veterinarian living in Hawaii who enjoys the company of vacationing women. He leaves the playboy life behind after he falls for Lucy (Barrymore), who suffers from short-term memory loss. Since she can never remember meeting him, Henry has to romance Lucy every single day and hope that she falls for him. Originally entitled 50 First Kisses, it also stars Rob Schneider who's character Ula was inspired by Siope Samuela Ula Lomu, a Tongan concierge at a luxury rental property at which Schneider, Sandler and Barrymore are regular visitors. Schneider steals the show with this grass outfit.
This event was co-hosted by The Everson Museum of Art and
The Syracuse International Film & Video Festival.
SPECIAL COORDINATORS: PHYLLIS LA VINE AND SUSAN KATZ