Jane Russell is a Green Goddess in the Month of March as We Salute the Emerald Isle by Greg Schreiner
Jane Russell is a Green Goddess in the Month of March as We Salute the Emerald Isle
by Greg Schreiner
Jane Russell was a dynamic presence on the silver screen and created a powerful role in “The Revolt of Mamie Stover” in 1956. This stunning green gown was designed by William Travilla who was also designer for almost all of Marilyn Monroe’s films at 20th Century Fox Studios. And since March is the month for Saint Patrick’s Day, green seemed the color to highlight. The gown is of green silk brocade with gold thread woven through it. What makes it really unique is the large strand of gold beading that extends from her hip area and cascades down the front of the gown. And the most interesting part of the costume is that is was not even designed for this film, but instead was for “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” in 1953.
The gown is of green silk brocade with gold thread woven through it. What makes it really unique is the large strand of gold beading that extends from her hip area and cascades down the front of the gown. Note also that the hand colored images sometimes turn the actual green color to more of a blue -green. And the most interesting part of the costume is that is was not even designed for this film, but instead was for “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” in 1953.
Note the B & W photo which shows Jane wearing it in preparation for “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”. The hair style is completely different and she wears the straps off the shoulder rather than behind her neck. The scene was cut from the film and so Travilla pulled it from n studio wardrobe department 3 years later for the other film. Thus he saved the studio money and himself designing another gown. I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Russell in 1995 at Graumann’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood where we together unveiled the USPS stamp honoring Marilyn Monroe.
Greg Schreiner is the pianist, narrator and producer of Hollywood Revisited. He has appeared on numerous television programs including AMC's Hollywood Fashion Machine, A&E's The Incurable Collector, Entertainment Tonight, Hard Copy and The Montel Williams Show. All have featured various movie costumes from his vast personal collection. Some of these costumes are on display at the new Hollywood Museum in Hollywood, California. Mr. Schreiner serves on the piano faculty at Cerritos College and Santa Monica College, has several recordings in release and was composer/performer for the educational television series Masters of the Silent Screen. Greg also is an active participant in the music community of Southern California as the accompanist for the Mansfield Chamber Singers of Beverly Hills. He is also the president of Marilyn Remembered, a club devoted to preserving the memory of Marilyn Monroe. Greg Schreiner is truly a renaissance man!