Sewing Hollywood History: Here Comes the Groom

This month's Sewing Hollywood History is Here Comes the Groom, a 1951 film directed by Frank Capra starring Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman. I know Jane Wyman best as Aunt Polly from Pollyanna, although that was much later!

Source

Bing Crosby plays Pete Garvey, a foreign correspondent during WWII, who adopts two children in a Paris orphanage. He only has 5 days to marry the gal he left back home, Emmadel, or the children must return to France. The song "The Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening" was written for it and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. 

Edith Head Designs Sewing Patterns

Vintage patterns for this film were very easy to find! Did you know that Edith Head, the famous costume designer for Paramount, did sewing patterns? Well, she did! 

Source

I am fascinated by Edith Head. She was an iconic costume designer, but also a really interesting study of a strong career woman at a time when that was exceptionally rare and difficult. But I digress. Back to the film! 

Sewing Garments from the Film

There are two Edith Head patterns printed from designs for Here Comes the Groom. 

Pete Returns at Last

The first is a lovely dress. I'd love to look closer at the construction on this one! The slit in the back is a wonderful surprise. From the pattern description, the pattern features: 

• Button-closing front with collar
• Slash pocket at left-side front
• Short sleeves with cuffs
• Four-piece skirt with open back to show top petticoat of lace
• Removable belt

In the film:

The pattern: 

Source

At the Rehearsal Dinner

The second is a two-piece suit Emmadel wears to the rehearsal dinner with her new fiancé, who is not Pete. Oh, the intrigue! From the pattern description, the pattern features: 

• A separate four-piece skirt with side pleat at back
• Attached belt at top
• Button-closing jacket with V-neck and collar; 3/4 sleeves with cuffs
• Attached 6-piece peplum

In the film: 

The pattern:

Source

See other Edith Head Sewing Patterns on the Vintage Pattern Wiki. How wonderful would it have been to see the movie, then rush out to get the sewing pattern?!