More than 800 artifacts, including hundreds of props and costumes from some of Hollywood ’s most iconic films, have gone up for auction in the exclusive Los Angeles suburb of Beverly Hills . The trove of celebrity memorabilia range from Judy Garland’s ‘Wizard of Oz’ dress, Marilyn Monroe’s will, to a slice of cake saved from Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s wedding in 1981.This year marks the 50th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death and a number of her iconic items including a skirt that was immortalized in the candid photographs taken by John Vachon along with her personal collection make-up in a black check make-up bag. But perhaps one of the most interesting items in the Monroe collection is her last will and testament. In it she directs that 10,000 dollars is bequeathed to her half-sister Bernice Miracle and another 50,000 dollars to her secretary May Reis and “all her personal effects and clothing” to her acting teacher Lee Strasberg. She also left money to her psychiatrist Dr Marianne Kris, the Daily Mail reported. Other items on sale are Christopher Reeves’ original ‘Superman’ IV suit, a chair from the set of ‘Casablanca’ and kung-fu king Bruce Lee’s diamond-encrusted gold ring.
The most expensive item on sale is the blue and white gingham frock worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 blockbuster ‘Wizard of Oz’, which still has its original pinafore and blouse, and is expected to fetch 600,000 dollars. A serigraph print of Leroy Neiman’s ‘Happy Birthday Mr. President’ is set to go for 5,000 dollars, and an 8mm film reel of the President’s birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden.
The eight-minute film shows images of President John F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Lyndon B. Johnson, Henry Fonda, the event’s host Peter Lawford and many other performers and guests. Award winning film wardrobe designers also highlight the historic sale including William Travilla, who dressed Monroe in eight films, Adrian Adolph Greenberg and Edith Head. Many of the costumes that brought classical favourites to life will be offered, like Katherine Hepburn’s jacket from ‘Desk Set’, Rita Hayworth’s Orry-Kelly designed period gown from ‘The Strawberry Blonde’, Bette Davis’ costume from the finale of ‘The Great Lie’, and Julie Andrews' dress from her beloved role as Maria in ‘The Sound of Music’.
Many costumes synonymous with popular culture will also be auctioned off that will include tough guy Steve McQueen’s distressed jeans from the 1966 drama ‘The Sand Pebbles’, Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond suit from ‘Goldeneye’ and Angelina Jolie’s ‘Girl Interrupted’ costume.
In 1959, Elizabeth Taylor married her fourth husband Eddie Fisher in Las Vegas three and a half hours after Fisher’s divorce from Debbie Reynolds had been finalised. Their wedding certificate is on sale for between 4,000-6,000 dollars. The auction will be held at Julien’s Auctions on November 9 and 10 2012.
