It would be difficult to identify this costume as the same one were it not for the fact that some of the history of this dress has been documented. Walter Plunkett designed the costume for the 1936 film Mary of Scotland, where Anita Colby wore it as Mary Fleming. A label bearing Anita’s name is still in the garment to this day. In 1955, designer Mary Willis oversaw the adaptation of this gown for use in The Virgin Queen, where Leslie Parrish wore it as the character Anne. The sleeves were adjusted slightly, the bodice was split, and an insert was added.

From there, the dress went on to be used in the 1961 film The Pit and the Pendulum by Barbara Steele as Elizabeth Barnard Medina. Several promotional images of Barbara Steele help show more of the detail that went into the costume and also gives us a much better look at the color of the garment and the fabrics that make it up. In 1962, Joyce Taylor wore the costume as Althea in Beauty and the Beast. In order to give the gown a more 18th-century look, the sleeves were drastically shortened, lace engageantes (flounces) were added, and the skirt was pulled up to make the swagged skirt of a polonaise.

Eventually, the gown was sold at the great MGM auction of 1970, where Debbie Reynolds purchased it. Eventually, she sold her collection, and a private collector purchased it in May of 2014. The auction listing for the dress describes it as follows:

Celadon green brocade period dress with pink, peach and yellow flowers and green leaves. Square neckline, three-quarter length sleeves with ruffles, both trimmed in delicate ivory lace. Pale salmon satin insert down front. Hook & eye with snap back closure. Internal bias label handwritten, “Marjorie Hellen” and “COLBY C-1508”. Material on bottom is frayed with a few separations and soiling under arms… the gown was modified – sleeves shortened, shoulder caps removed, and satin insert added along bodice….Sides of skirt gathered post-production.

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