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  • Rhonda Fleming as Cleopatra wearing a gold and purple bejeweled gown in the 1953 film "Serpent of the Nile."
    • Columbia Pictures

    Serpent of the Nile

    1953

    Costume seen on Rhonda Fleming as Cleopatra

  • Nancy Kovack as Medea wearing a gold and purple bejeweled gown in the 1963 film "Jason and the Argonauts."
    • Columbia Pictures

    Jason and the Argonauts

    1963

    Costume seen on Nancy Kovack as Medea

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About the Costume

This gown was designed by Jean Louis for the film Serpent of the Nile, where it was worn by Rhonda Fleming as Cleopatra in 1953. It was used again in Jason and the Argonauts in 1963 where it was worn by Nancy Kovac as Medea.

This gorgeous gold, purple, and bejeweled gown eventually made its way into the collection of Debbie Reynolds, where it sold at auction in December of 2011 for $13,000. The auction listing can be seen here.

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About the Costume

Have you seen this gown somewhere else? Do you need to be given credit for this sighting? Do you have corrections, additions or changes you would like to make?

Have you ever watched a film and noticed a character walk by in a gown that you just know you’ve seen before? Recycled Movie Costumes is dedicated to documenting the life of a costume through its various appearances on film and television.

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About the Costume

This gown was designed by Jean Louis for the film Serpent of the Nile, where it was worn by Rhonda Fleming as Cleopatra in 1953. It was used again in Jason and the Argonauts in 1963 where it was worn by Nancy Kovac as Medea.

This gorgeous gold, purple, and bejeweled gown eventually made its way into the collection of Debbie Reynolds, where it sold at auction in December of 2011 for $13,000. The auction listing can be seen here.

Love our content? Show your support with a donation!

This gown was designed by Jean Louis for the film Serpent of the Nile, where it was worn by Rhonda Fleming as Cleopatra in 1953. It was used again in Jason and the Argonauts in 1963 where it was worn by Nancy Kovac as Medea.

This gorgeous gold, purple, and bejeweled gown eventually made its way into the collection of Debbie Reynolds, where it sold at auction in December of 2011 for $13,000. The auction listing can be seen here.

Love our content? Show your support with a donation!

Add Info

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Credits

Sighting Credit:
  • Katie S.
Photos provided by:
Costume Designer:
  • Jean Louis

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Costume Commentary

  1. Not the same. Fabrics look different. Notice the “cross your heart” trim (very common for the ancient world) goes round to the back in Rhonda’s dress, but goes to the waist in Nancy’s (creating a triangle…not seen in Rhonda’s) Also, the trim going down the skirt part starts under Rhonda’s left boob…whereas it’s on Nancy’s right hip, starting at the side seam. Auction catalogues are often wrong, y’know. I’ve seen them get things off by a century.

    •  It’s the same. The first photo is really poor quality.  I have confirmation that they are the same costume in the Debbie Reynold’s auction book. The costume history attached to the costume itself (the costume went up for sale) notes the costume was used for both productions.

Comment

Costume Commentary

  1. Not the same. Fabrics look different. Notice the “cross your heart” trim (very common for the ancient world) goes round to the back in Rhonda’s dress, but goes to the waist in Nancy’s (creating a triangle…not seen in Rhonda’s) Also, the trim going down the skirt part starts under Rhonda’s left boob…whereas it’s on Nancy’s right hip, starting at the side seam. Auction catalogues are often wrong, y’know. I’ve seen them get things off by a century.

    •  It’s the same. The first photo is really poor quality.  I have confirmation that they are the same costume in the Debbie Reynold’s auction book. The costume history attached to the costume itself (the costume went up for sale) notes the costume was used for both productions.

Comment

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Costume Commentary

  1. Not the same. Fabrics look different. Notice the “cross your heart” trim (very common for the ancient world) goes round to the back in Rhonda’s dress, but goes to the waist in Nancy’s (creating a triangle…not seen in Rhonda’s) Also, the trim going down the skirt part starts under Rhonda’s left boob…whereas it’s on Nancy’s right hip, starting at the side seam. Auction catalogues are often wrong, y’know. I’ve seen them get things off by a century.

    •  It’s the same. The first photo is really poor quality.  I have confirmation that they are the same costume in the Debbie Reynold’s auction book. The costume history attached to the costume itself (the costume went up for sale) notes the costume was used for both productions.

Comment

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