Greer Garson as Mary Rafferty in 'Valley of Decision' Designed by Irene

Full-length, long sleeved period dress, purple raw silk having fitted underskirt with pleated hem, cream collar, blue and white check silk full-length over-apron, gathered front ornamented with gold ball tassels. (Bias label reading 1956-8639 GREER GARSON).

MGM purchased rights to the epic novel by Marcia Davenport which had the “monumental scope and pageant of human destinies” but, was greatly cut down to what appeared on screen. All of this was with Greer Garson in mind, who was coming off a run of five academy award nominations for Best Actress (she would receive her sixth, for this film).

Set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1873 about young humble Irish house maid who makes good in the big house on the hill and marries the son of her employer, the owner of the local steel mill. Problems occur when the Irish workers threaten to strike. Many critics felt the studio was doing Greer Garson’s talents a great injustice by constantly casting her in righteous character roles, but the public, and especially the women who had been left at home during WWII, loved her and her portrayals of willful, strong and good women and the film was one of the most popular films in 1945.

Irene costume designer got to put the character through rags to riches (this being one of the rags), but her costumes always maintained a more down to earth sensibility compared to other women in the household- as be-fitting Greer Garson’s character. This costume was originally used in a scene that was cut from later video releases, but it appears in numerous photos and on the video cover.