Marjorie Best papers
Catalogued by Sherk, Warren
Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
333 S La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Published January 2023
Descriptive Summary
Abstract: The collection consists primarily of script material; wardrobe plots, many with fabric swatches attached; and costume design
drawings.
Collector:
Best, Marjorie
Dates: 1934-1965
Dates: 1947-1965
Collection number: 24
Collection Size:
3.8 linear ft. of papers
329 item(s) of artworks
Repository:
Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Access
Available by appointment only.
Publication Rights
Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are responsible for obtaining all
necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies or individuals before quoting from or publishing
materials obtained from the library.
Preferred Citation
Marjorie Best papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Marjorie Best, 1987; and bequest of the Marjorie Best estate, 1997
Collection Scope and Content Summary
The Marjorie Best papers span the years 1934-1965 (bulk 1947-1965) and encompass 3.8 linear feet. The collection consists
primarily of script material, wardrobe plots, and costume sketches. Eight of the scripts, including GIANT, are signed by the
cast and several are annotated. Wardrobe plots, many with cloth swatches attached, document Best's work on more than 30 films.
The collection contains more than 40 costume sketches, including signed sketches for LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING (1948), and
oversize costume sketches for 32 films from 1938 to 1965, including THE ADVENTURES OF DON JUAN (1949), THE ADVENTURES OF MARCO
POLO (1938), GIANT (1956), THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (1965), RIO BRAVO (1959), SUNRISE AT CAMPOBELLO (1960), THAT HAMILTON
WOMAN! (1941), and THE TIME, THE PLACE AND THE GIRL (1947). There are nearly two dozen sketches from the 1930s and 1940s that
are unidentified. Rounding out the collection are sketches by two other designers: a Bob Mackie signed sketch for THE JUDY
GARLAND SHOW, an unidentified sketch by Irene, Best's Academy Award statuette for THE ADVENTURES OF DON JUAN, and her certificates
of nomination. Of special interest is a list compiled by Best that includes the film title, studio, date, and number of sketches
she provided for nearly 90 films while employed by United Costumers.
Biography
Marjorie Best (1903-1997) was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, and later moved to Bloomington, Illinois. After graduating from
high school in nearby Normal, Best moved to Los Angeles to attend the Chouinard Art Institute. Her first job as a designer
was with the Western Costume Company, circa 1926, followed in the 1930s by United Costumers, Inc. In 1947, after Warner Bros.
bought out United Costumers, she was offered a job in the wardrobe department and went on to become one of the studio's top
costume designers, specializing in men's costumes and period films. Best won an Academy Award for costume design (color) for
THE ADVENTURES OF DON JUAN (1949). She also received nominations for GIANT (1956), SUNRISE AT CAMPOBELLO (1960), and THE GREATEST
STORY EVER TOLD (1965).
Arrangement of the Collection
1. Production files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 2. Television files; 3. Subject files
Indexing terms
Best, Marjorie
Costume designers
Production files/Produced
folder 1
THE ADVENTURES OF DON JUAN--script
1945--1945
Record ID: 71330651
folder 2
THE ADVENTURES OF DON JUAN--wardrobe plot (men's)
1947--1947
Record ID: 71330655
folder 3
THE BIG LAND--script
1956--1956
Record ID: 71330656
folder 4
THE BLUE BIRD--script
1939--1939
Record ID: 71330657
folder 5
THE BURNING HILLS--wardrobe plot (men's)
1956--1956
Record ID: 71330658
folder 6
THE BURNING HILLS--wardrobe plot (women's)
1956--1956
Record ID: 71330659
folder 7
CALAMITY JANE--wardrobe plot (women's)
1952--1952
Record ID: 71330660
folder 8
CHAD HANNA--script
1940--1940
Record ID: 71330661
folder 9
CHEERS FOR MISS BISHOP--script
1940--1940
Record ID: 71330662
folder 10
THE COMANCHEROS--script
1961--1961
Record ID: 71330663
folder 11
THE COMANCHEROS--wardrobe plot (men's)
1961--1961
Record ID: 71330664
folder 12
THE COMANCHEROS--wardrobe plot (women's)
1961--1961
Record ID: 71330665
folder 13
THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO--script
1934--1934
Record ID: 71330666
folder 14
THE CRIMSON PIRATE--script
1950--1950
Record ID: 71330667
folder 15
THE CRIMSON PIRATE--script
1951--1951
Record ID: 71330668
folder 16
THE CRIMSON PIRATE--costume design drawings
Circa 1951--1951
Record ID: 71330669
folder 17
DALLAS--script
1950--1950
Record ID: 71330670
folder 18
DALLAS--wardrobe plot (men's)
1950--1950
Record ID: 71330671
folder 19
DALLAS--wardrobe plot (women's)
1950--1950
Record ID: 71330672
folder 20
THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS (Warner Bros., 1960)--script
1960--1960
Record ID: 71330673
folder 21
THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS (Warner Bros., 1960)--wardrobe plot (men's)
1959--1959
Record ID: 71330674
folder 22
THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS (Warner Bros., 1960)--wardrobe plot (women's)
1959--1959
Record ID: 71330675
folder 23
THE DAUGHTER OF ROSIE O'GRADY--script
1949--1949
Record ID: 71330676
folder 24
THE DAUGHTER OF ROSIE O'GRADY--music
1949--1949
Record ID: 71330677
folder 25
THE DAUGHTER OF ROSIE O'GRADY--wardrobe plot (men's)
1949--1949
Record ID: 71330678
folder 26
THE DAUGHTER OF ROSIE O'GRADY--wardrobe plot (women's)
1949--1949
Record ID: 71330679
folder 27
DISTANT DRUMS--script
1951--1951
Record ID: 71330680
folder 28
DISTANT DRUMS--breakdown
1951--1951
Record ID: 71330681
folder 29
DISTANT DRUMS--wardrobe plot (men's)
1951--1951
Record ID: 71330682
folder 30
DISTANT DRUMS--wardrobe plot (women's)
1951--1951
Record ID: 71330683
folder 31
ESCAPE ME NEVER--script
1945--1945
Record ID: 71330684
folder 32
ESCAPE ME NEVER--wardrobe
1946--1946
Record ID: 71330685
folder 33
ESCAPE ME NEVER--wardrobe plot (men's)
1945--1945
Record ID: 71330686
folder 34
ESCAPE ME NEVER--wardrobe plot (women's)
1945--1945
Record ID: 71330687
folder 35
THE FLAME AND THE ARROW--script
1949--1949
Record ID: 71330688
folder 36
THE FLAME AND THE ARROW--wardrobe plot (men's)
1949--1949
Record ID: 71330689
folder 37
THE FLAME AND THE ARROW--wardrobe plot (women's)
1949--1949
Record ID: 71330690
folder 38
FORT WORTH--wardrobe plot (women's)
1950--1950
Record ID: 71330691
folder 39
THE FORTUNES OF CAPTAIN BLOOD--script
1949--1949
Record ID: 71330692
folder 40
GIANT--script
1955--1955
Record ID: 71330693
folder 41
GIANT--wardrobe plot (men's)
1955--1955
Record ID: 71330694
folder 42
GIANT--wardrobe plot (women's)
1955--1955
Record ID: 71330695
folder 43
THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD--script
1962--1962
Record ID: 71330696
folder 44
GUNS OF THE TIMBERLAND--script
1959--1959
Record ID: 71330697
folder 45
GUNS OF THE TIMBERLAND--wardrobe plot (men's)
1959--1959
Record ID: 71330698
folder 46
GUNS OF THE TIMBERLAND--wardrobe plot (women's)
1959--1959
Record ID: 71330699
folder 47
THE HANGING TREE--script
1958--1958
Record ID: 71330700
folder 48
THE IRON MISTRESS (Warner Bros., 1952)--script
1952--1952
Record ID: 71330701
folder 49
THE IRON MISTRESS (Warner Bros., 1952)--breakdown
1952--1952
Record ID: 71330702
folder 50
THE IRON MISTRESS (Warner Bros., 1952)--costume design drawings
Circa 1952--1952
Record ID: 71330703
folder 51
THE IRON MISTRESS (Warner Bros., 1952)--wardrobe plot (men's)
1952--1952
Record ID: 71330704
folder 52
THE IRON MISTRESS (Warner Bros., 1952)--wardrobe plot (women's)
1952--1952
Record ID: 71330705
folder 53
KIDNAPPED--script
1937--1937
Record ID: 71330706
folder 54
KING RICHARD AND THE CRUSADERS--script
1953--1953
Record ID: 71330707
folder 55
KING RICHARD AND THE CRUSADERS--costume design drawing
Circa 1953--1953
Record ID: 71330708
folder 56
KING RICHARD AND THE CRUSADERS--wardrobe plot (men's)
1953--1953
Record ID: 71330709
folder 57
KING RICHARD AND THE CRUSADERS--wardrobe plot (women's)
1953--1953
Record ID: 71330710
folder 58
A KISS IN THE DARK--costume design drawing
Circa 1948--1948
Record ID: 71330711
folder 59
LES MISERABLES--script
1934--1934
Record ID: 71330712
folder 60
LES MISERABLES--wardrobe plot
1934--1934
Record ID: 71330713
folder 61
LLOYD'S OF LONDON--script
1936--1936
Record ID: 71330714
folder 62
LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING--costume design drawings
Circa 1948--1948
Record ID: 71330715
folder 63
LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING--wardrobe plot (men's)
1948--1948
Record ID: 71330716
folder 64
LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING--wardrobe plot (women's)
1948--1948
Record ID: 71330717
folder 65
THE MARK OF ZORRO--script
1939--1939
Record ID: 71330718
folder 66
THE MARK OF ZORRO--wardrobe plot (men's)
1939--1939
Record ID: 71330719
folder 67
THE MIRACLE (Warner Bros., 1959)--script
1958--1958
Record ID: 71330720
folder 68
THE MIRACLE (Warner Bros., 1959)--wardrobe plot (men's)
1958--1958
Record ID: 71330721
folder 69
THE MIRACLE (Warner Bros., 1959)--wardrobe plot (women's)
1958--1958
Record ID: 71330722
folder 70
THE NUN'S STORY--script
1957--1957
Record ID: 71330723
folder 71
RATON PASS (Warner Bros., 1951)--wardrobe plot (women's)
1950--1950
Record ID: 71330724
folder 72
RIO BRAVO--script
1958--1958
Record ID: 71330725
folder 73
RIO BRAVO--wardrobe plot (men's)
1958--1958
Record ID: 71330726
folder 74
RIO BRAVO--wardrobe plot (women's)
1958--1958
Record ID: 71330727
folder 75
ROCKY MOUNTAIN--costume design drawings
Circa 1949--1949
Record ID: 71330728
folder 76
ROCKY MOUNTAIN--wardrobe plot (men's)
1949--1949
Record ID: 71330729
folder 77
ROOM FOR ONE MORE--wardrobe plot (women's)
Circa 1952--1952
Record ID: 71330730
folder 78
SANTIAGO--script
1955--1955
Record ID: 71330731
folder 79
SANTIAGO--wardrobe plot (men's)
1955--1955
Record ID: 71330732
folder 80
SANTIAGO--wardrobe plot (women's)
1955--1955
Record ID: 71330733
folder 81
THE SILVER CHALICE--script
1954--1954
Record ID: 71330734
folder 82
THE SILVER CHALICE--breakdown
1954--1954
Record ID: 71330735
folder 83
THE SILVER CHALICE--costume design drawings
Circa 1954--1954
Record ID: 71330736
folder 84
THE SILVER CHALICE--research
1954--1954
Record ID: 71330737
folder 85
THE SILVER CHALICE--wardrobe plot (men's)
1954--1954
Record ID: 71330738
folder 86
THE SILVER CHALICE--wardrobe plot (women's)
1954--1954
Record ID: 71330739
folder 87
THE SINS OF RACHEL CADE--script
1959--1959
Record ID: 71330740
folder 88
SPENCER'S MOUNTAIN--script
1962--1962
Record ID: 71330741
folder 89
SPENCER'S MOUNTAIN--wardrobe plot (men's)
1962--1962
Record ID: 71330742
folder 90
SPENCER'S MOUNTAIN--wardrobe plot (women's)
1962--1962
Record ID: 71330743
folder 91
STATE FAIR--script
1961--1961
Record ID: 71330744
folder 92
STATE FAIR--costume design drawing
Circa 1961--1961
Record ID: 71330745
folder 93
STATE FAIR--wardrobe plot (men's)
1961--1961
Record ID: 71330746
folder 94
STATE FAIR--wardrobe plot (women's)
1961--1961
Record ID: 71330747
folder 95
STATE FAIR--wardrobe test photos
Circa 1961--1961
Record ID: 71330748
folder 96
SUEZ--script
1938--1938
Record ID: 71330749
folder 97
SUNRISE AT CAMPOBELLO--script
1960--1960
Record ID: 71330750
folder 98
SUNRISE AT CAMPOBELLO--wardrobe plot (men's)
1960--1960
Record ID: 71330751
folder 99
SUNRISE AT CAMPOBELLO--wardrobe plot (women's)
1960--1960
Record ID: 71330752
folder 100
TENDER IS THE NIGHT--script
1961--1961
Record ID: 71330753
folder 101
TENDER IS THE NIGHT--breakdown
1961--1961
Record ID: 71330754
folder 102
TENDER IS THE NIGHT--wardrobe changes
1961--1961
Record ID: 71330755
folder 103
TENDER IS THE NIGHT--wardrobe plot (men's)
1961--1961
Record ID: 71330756
folder 104
TENDER IS THE NIGHT--wardrobe plot (women's)
1961--1961
Record ID: 71330757
folder 105
THE THREE MUSKETEERS--script
1935--1935
Record ID: 71330758
folder 106
THE TIME, THE PLACE AND THE GIRL--costume design drawing
Circa 1946--1946
Record ID: 71330759
folder 107
THE TIME, THE PLACE AND THE GIRL--musical breakdown
1945--1945
Record ID: 71330760
folder 108
THE TIME, THE PLACE AND THE GIRL--wardrobe plot (men's)
1945--1945
Record ID: 71330761
folder 109
THE WOMAN IN WHITE--script
1946--1946
Record ID: 71330762
folder 110
THE WOMAN IN WHITE--costume design drawings
Circa 1946--1946
Record ID: 71330763
folder 111
THE WOMAN IN WHITE--wardrobe plot (men's)
1946--1946
Record ID: 71330764
folder 112
THE WOMAN IN WHITE--wardrobe plot (women's)
1946--1946
Record ID: 71330765
Production files/Unproduced
folder 113
QUEEN OF SHEBA--script
1936--1936
Record ID: 71330766
folder 114
QUEEN OF SHEBA--scene breakdown
Circa 1936--1936
Record ID: 71330768
folder 115
LORNE GREENE'S AMERICAN WEST [television]--script
1965--1965
Record ID: 71330769
folder 116
THE WILD WILD WEST [television]--script
1964--1964
Record ID: 71330771
folder 117
THE WILD WILD WEST [television]--costume design drawing
Circa 1965--1965
Record ID: 71482755
folder 118
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
1950--1961
Record ID: 71330772
folder 119
Contracts
1936--1937
Record ID: 71330774
folder 120
Correspondence
1924--1924
Record ID: 71330775
folder 121
Credits
1936--1941
Record ID: 71330776
folder 122
Miscellaneous
Record ID: 71330777
