Tony Curtis Could Act: The Boston Strangler (1968)

[…] to see on screen. Note the putty nose and dark contact lenses Tony donned for the film. Travilla’s Expert Use of Color My favorite Hollywood costume designer, Billy Travilla, furthered Tony’s complete transformation into Albert DeSalvo.  Travilla, a master of color, knew that the colors he chose to dress Tony in on screen could greatly […]

Marilyn & Jane Get What They Want: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

[…] sheer, gold lame, low cut gown from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes to the Photoplay Awards in February 1953, where Marilyn would be honored as Best Newcomer.  The gown’s designer, Billy Travilla, begged Marilyn not to wear the fragile dress, which Travilla had designed to look good on film, not necessarily to look classy worn out and about […]

Ann Sheridan

Plenty Of “Oomph”: The Underrated Ann Sheridan

[…] gowns he created for Marilyn Monroe, but Travilla’s success in Hollywood can all be traced back to Ann Sheridan.  Read my articles on Nora Prentiss (1947) and Billy Travilla for more about Ann’s life-changing influence in Travilla’s accomplished career. Ann looking stunning in a black gown. If photos and the Travilla connection aren’t enough to […]

Dorothy Dandridge nightclub act

Dorothy Dandridge: Bright Road (1953) & Nightclubs

[…] sounding good on the nightclub scene. Interesting fashion side note: Eventually, Dorothy would own gowns by the most renown designers of the era, including Don Loper and Billy Travilla.  At the height of her popularity on the nightclub scene, Dorothy Dandridge owned 56 designer gowns, which she insured for an impressive $250,000. Dorothy Finds Success […]

I Was a Male War Bride

I Was A Male War Bride (1949)

[…] a Male War Bride That’s it for I Was  Male War Bride. Join me next week for all about Ann Sheridan and her friendship with fashion designer Billy Travilla. I Was a Male War Bride I Was a Male War Bride I Was a Male War Bride I Was a Male War Bride I Was […]

The Revolt of Mamie Stover

The Independent Jane Russell & The Revolt of Mamie Stover (1956)

[…] the filming of The Revolt of Mamie Stover  was a happy experience.  The film was shot on location in Hawaii, with beautiful costumes designed by the great Billy Travilla.  And Jane had a ball working with two of her favorite friends from the Hollywood crowd, director Raoul Walsh, and Richard Egan. Jane and Raoul Walsh […]