A rare Travilla sketch of Marilyn’s cream fitted gown with ribbon patterning – as seen in How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) – is featured in a new exhibition at the Pasadena Museum of History until February 2025, as John Sanders reports here.
“LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! Hollywood Magic in Pasadena will highlight Pasadena’s intrinsic role in the multidimensional world of filmmaking. Focusing on the people who helped shape the industry – both on screen and behind the scenes – and locations that provide settings for their artistic pursuits. The galleries will feature a wide range of objects relating to movies, television, music videos, and more, celebrating the creative process from initial concept to finished productions.”
The illustration was donated by historian Christian Esquevin, author of Designing Hollywood (2023), alongside artwork by Lon Anthony (The Adventures of Robin Hood), Irene (Easter Parade), and Edith Head (The Sting.)
Marilyn wears this dress in a scene where her short-sighted character, Pola, returns home after a date. As she reaches the apartment, she bumps into a bespectacled man (David Wayne), before joining flatmate Schatze (Lauren Bacall) and her beau (William Powell) in the kitchen.
After Powell leaves, Pola puts on her glasses and makes coffee before joining Bacall in the living room.
Marilyn also wore the dress for a series of publicity photos by John Florea. It was later sold at Christie’s for $57,000.
The Marilyn Report 