IT'S A WELL-KNOWN FACT THAT DEBBIE REYNOLDS HAS BEEN A HUGE COLLECTOR & PRESERVER OF HOLLYWOOD MOTION PICTURE MEMORABILIA SINCE THE MOVIE STUDIOS STARTED WHOLESALE LIQUIDATION OF THEIR ASSETS IN THE EARLY 1970s. Her ultimate goal has always been to found a museum to house these historically important objects. Although she has seemed on the verge of success several times, she sadly has been left with no choice but to auction off the Tinseltown treasures she rescued from oblivion. The same fate, you will remember, befell the monumental collection of Forrest J. Ackerman in the decades before his death. The History Blog posted a nice post you can view here which gives a lot of background info as well as a link from which you can download the pdf auction catalogue and see these irreplaceable treasures in living colour! You really, really must take a look at these objects if you have even the faintest interest in classic film. The actual auction will take place on June 18. Since most of us can't afford to bid for these items, I can't resist posting a group of some of the most intriguing treasures which show the incredible care and craftsmanship which went into bringing our Hollywood memories to life.

Rudolph Valentino's matador suit from BLOOD AND SAND (1922)

Katharine Hepburn's gown as Jo March in LITTLE WOMEN

Harpo Marx's hat and wig

Katharine Hepburn gown from MARY OF SCOTLAND

Marlene Dietrich's western outfit as Frenchy in DESTRY RIDES AGAIN

Basil Rathbone's cape & overcoat from THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES and HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES

Eleanor Powell's sailor suit from the "All Aboard" sequence of BROADWAY MELODY OF 1940

Vincent Price's robe from DRAGONWYCK

The Ark of the Covenant from DAVID AND BATHSHEBA

Production artwork from CLEOPATRA

Bette Davis' bloodstained dress from HUSH HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE

Audrey Hepburn's Ascot gown from MY FAIR LADY

Costumes from PLANET OF THE APES