Cornell Wilde as The Great Sebastian in 'The Greatest Show on Earth' Designed by Edith Head, Dorothy Jeakins, Miles White

Description

Tunic and attached cape constructed of green silk floral brocade, [215A] Fitted sleeveless tunic, heavy zipper front closure, wide box pleating from the waist, ornamented at front of chest with navy blue cord frogs, at outer lapel with nave cording; attached full cape lined with dark pink silk satin, ornamented with large paste emeralds and sapphires; [215B] to pair of prop of spruce green tights. This garment is the signature piece of "The Great Sebastian" and appears throughout the film.

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Additional Notes

This film received the academy for Best Picture, Best Writing of a Motion Picture Story and was nominated for Best Costumes- Color and Best Director.

The film is a lavish behind the scenes circus drama dealing with the romance and rivalry beneath the big top. Cornell Wilde (who was afraid of heights) and Betty Hutton, as daredevil trapeze artists are in a fierce competition for the spotlight. They apparently did many of their own stunts. A fall eventually ends The Great Sebastian’s career. Even though many felt the film was over blown with all the footage of actual circus productions interspersed with the film footage, the film did win the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Film Editor and Costume Design in 1952. Many felt the win was in response to the current anti-Communists sentiments of the other nominees and many feel it was a final chance to honor Cecil DeMille for his past work in films. But the film does present a lavish depiction of an entertainment form that has disappeared.

Cornell was a dashing actor who starred on stage and film. Because of his good looks, elegant physique, athletic ability and acting talent he was often cast in adventure/ swashbuckling roles.

Even though Edith Head was given most of the credit for costumes for the film, Dorothy Jeakins and Miles White were largely responsible for the Circus performance costumes. Actual Circus costumes were used for the background characters but the costumes were made for the principal actors.

Collection

Citation

“Cornell Wilde as The Great Sebastian in 'The Greatest Show on Earth' Designed by Edith Head, Dorothy Jeakins, Miles White,” Film Costume Collection, accessed March 28, 2024, https://filmcostumecollection.omeka.net/items/show/1282.

Item Relations

Item: Images of Cornell Wilde in 'The Greatest Show on Earth' Still images from film This Item