header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
January 5
1875 - Tiburcio Vasquez murder trial opens in San Jose [story]
Tiburcio Vasquez


| Monday, Oct 21, 2019
Actor Bela Lugosi wearing cape in character as Count Dracula on the set of the 1931 film "Dracula."
Actor Bela Lugosi wearing cape in character as Count Dracula on the set of the 1931 film "Dracula."

 

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has acquired numerous iconic movie costumes over the last year through generous donations, partial gifts and purchase, including the cape that Bela Lugosi wore in “Dracula” (1931).

Costume design will be one of the many motion-picture arts explored in the Museum’s inaugural exhibitions.

A partial gift from the Lugosi Family, the famed Dracula cape was personally owned by Bela Lugosi after filming his legendary performance as the title character. Following the movie’s runaway success, Lugosi continued to wear the cape on stage and in personal appearances. The cape remained in his possession until his death, and then in the possession of his ex-wife, Lillian Lugosi, who later presented it to her and Bela Lugosi’s son, Bela G. Lugosi.

“My father’s screen-worn cape has had a very special place in my life and in the lives of my children and grandchildren,” said Bela G. Lugosi. “In fact, it has been a part of my mother’s household and then my household since I was born—for over 80 years. After several years of discussions with Founding Director Kerry Brougher, who showed such care and appreciation of its important role in film history, it became clear that there is no better home for the cape than the Academy Museum, allowing movie lovers to view a piece of classic horror film history and enjoy Bela Lugosi’s acclaimed performance for years to come.”

“It has been our pleasure to work with Kerry Brougher and Exhibitions Curator Jessica Niebel as we navigated the emotional journey of transferring my grandfather’s treasured Dracula cape from our family collection to the Academy Museum,” said Lynne Lugosi Sparks, granddaughter of Bela Lugosi and chief executive officer of LUGOSI LLC.

“This outstanding acquisition simultaneously represents the character of Count Dracula as a cultural icon and the life and career of an extraordinary actor, Bela Lugosi,” Niebel said. “It is important to us as a museum to be able to restore and safeguard this artifact, especially knowing that much of the material history of the classic horror cycle has been lost forever. We are deeply grateful to the Lugosi family for entrusting us with a treasure that means so much to them.”

bela lugosi dracula cape open

Other major gifts include:
* Shirley Temple’s gown, cape, crown, and scepter from “The Little Princess” (1939), donated by the Family of Shirley Temple Black. Like many of the costumes worn by the child star, whose outfits (unlike those of other actors) could not be easily repurposed for use in other films, they are in near-pristine condition.
* Wedding dress worn by Jennifer Jones in “Madame Bovary” (1949), donated by the Arnold R. Kunert Collection
* Cloche worn by Debbie Reynolds in “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952), donated by Lauri Buehler
* Gown worn by Ann Blyth in “The King’s Thief” (1955), also from the Kunert Collection.

The museum has also expanded its collection through purchase, acquiring items including:
* Marlene Dietrich’s Helen Faraday evening robe from “Blonde Venus” (1932)
* Gene Kelly’s sweater and slacks from “An American in Paris” (1951)
* Sammy Davis, Jr.’s two-piece, black-and-white-patterned Sportin’ Life suit from “Porgy and Bess” (1959)
* Costumes from “The Shining” (1980), including the crimson jacket worn by Jack Nicholson
* Black wig with gold trim worn by Elizabeth Taylor as “Cleopatra” (1963)
* Diana Ross’s Billie Holiday jacket and skirt ensemble from “Lady Sings the Blues” (1972)
* Richard Pryor’s baseball uniform from “The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings” (1976)
* Black sequined dress worn by Sonia Braga as the title character in “Kiss of the Spider Woman” (1985)
* Denim and flannel ensemble worn by Kathy Bates in “Misery” (1990)
* Three-piece, poly-cotton waitress uniform worn by Susan Sarandon in “Thelma and Louise” (1991)
* Robe and shorts that helped Jeff Bridges transform himself into The Dude in “The Big Lebowski” (1998)
* Costume worn by Saoirse Ronan as Mary Stuart in “Mary Queen of Scots” (2018)

The Academy Museum has actively been acquiring three-dimensional motion picture objects since 2008. Its holdings now number approximately 3,500 items representing costume design, motion picture technology, production design, makeup and hairstyling, promotional materials and memorabilia and awards.

Motion Picture Academy board of governors - cape

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LINKS
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Friday, Jan 3, 2025
The city of Santa Clarita has announced a new art exhibition, “Wonders That Surround Us,” will be on view now through March 17 at the Canyon Country Community Center.
Thursday, Jan 2, 2025
The city of Santa Clarita's “Exploring Domestic Spaces” exhibition will be on view through March 20, located at the Newhall Community Center, 22421 Market St. Newhall, CA 91321.
Wednesday, Jan 1, 2025
Three of Santa Clarita’s most talented women artists, each employing a distinct medium will be showcasing over 30 original artworks at the Santa Paula Art Museum in an upcoming exhibit titled “A Brush With Nature: Three Artists’ Perspectives.”
Monday, Dec 30, 2024
Canyon Theatre Guild will begin performances of West Side Story, 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at Canyon Theatre Guild, 24242 Main St., Newhall, CA 91321.
Friday, Dec 27, 2024
Visit the Valencia Public Library, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025 3-4 p.m. for a concert with Paul Stein, the esteemed violinist formerly of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Symphony.
Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1875 - Tiburcio Vasquez murder trial opens in San Jose [story]
Tiburcio Vasquez
1909 - Deputy Constable Charles A. De Moranville shot to death after responding to a Newhall bar fight. Prosecution fails to make its case and the killer walks [story]
memorial plaque
California State University, Northridge Men's Basketball knocked down 17 threes, tying a school record for a game, in a 95-65 victory over Cal State Fullerton on Thursday, Jan. 2 at Titan Gym.
CSUN Ties School Record for Threes in 95-65 Win at Fullerton
The County of Los Angeles’ Department of Animal Care and Control relies on volunteer support from the community to provide the additional public service and animal care programs that are vital to a healthy community.
Castaic Animal Care Center Seeks Volunteers
The Santa Clarita Arts Commission will hold its regular meeting Thursday, Jan. 9, at 6 p.m., in Council Chambers at City Hall.
Jan. 9: Arts Commission to Discuss Agreement with Santa Clarita PAC
The 2025 Annual St. Francis Dam Disaster Lecture and Bus Tour will be held Saturday, March 15, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. The event is a fundraiser for the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society.
March 15: 2025 Annual St. Francis Dam Disaster Lecture, Bus Tour
California is experiencing an increase in cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, a highly contagious bacterial disease that can be spread through coughing and can cause severe illness, especially in infants.
As Whooping Cough Cases Increase, CDPH Encourages Tdap Vaccination
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department that it's Computer Aided Dispatch system failed on New Year's Eve at around 8 p.m. The system has been down for more than 48 hours, but LASD has assured the public the department is working to restore the system.
UPDATE: LASD Computer Dispatch System Back with ‘Temporary Fix’
The city of Santa Clarita has issued a traffic alert starting Saturday, Jan. 4. The city will begin the installation of small dividers designed to create a dedicated, safe lane for bikers and pedestrians on Orchard Village Road.
Jan. 4: City Issues Traffic Alert for Work Zone on Orchard Village Road
Registration is open for the Winter 2025 Adult 7-on-7 Flag Football League which will have its first meeting 6:30-9:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13 at Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Jan. 13: Winter Adult Flag Football League Registration Open
The members of the Santa Clarita Track Club and Westfield Valencia Town Center will present the 15th annual Mardi Gras Madness 5K/10K and Mini Madness 1K, benefiting Students Off And Running of Santa Clarita 7 a.m.-noon Sunday, Feb. 23 at Valencia Town Center in Valencia, 24201 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355.
Feb. 23: Mardi Gras Madness 10K/5K/1K to Benefit SOAR
The city of Santa Clarita has many valuable resources available for residents needing to dispose of tricky household items like furniture, appliances, large electronics and holiday trees.
Out with the Old, In with the New, How to Dispose of Bulky Items
The California Department of Motor Vehicles has announced that Californians required to provide a signature to renew their permanent Disabled Person Parking Placard can now do so online.
Disabled Person Parking Placard Holders Can Renew Online
California’s first winter snowpack survey of 2025 showed the snowpack at 91% of the average to date and 37% of the average on April 1, when the Sierra snowpack is typically at its peak.
Snowpack Survey Shows California at 91% to Date
A federal judge has barred the state of California from enforcing key parts of Senate Bill 976, also known as the Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act, finding it may infringe tech companies' First Amendment rights.
Judge Blocks Parts of California Law to Protect Kids From Social Media
The city of Santa Clarita has announced a new art exhibition, “Wonders That Surround Us,” will be on view now through March 17 at the Canyon Country Community Center.
‘Wonders That Surround Us’ at Canyon Country Community Center
Nominations for the 2025 Santa Clarita Valley Man and Woman of the Year awards are now open, and will be accepted until Jan. 31. The awards dinner will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2, at the Hyatt Valencia.
Santa Clarita Valley Man, Woman of the Year Nominations Now Open
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) was reappointed by Speaker Robert Rivas as Chair of the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee for the upcoming legislative session.
Schiavo Reappointed Chair of Assembly Military, Veterans Affairs Committee
2004, 8:35PM PST - NASA Spirit rover lands on Mars. Wayne Lee of Stevenson Ranch handles entry-descent-landing; Richard Cook of Canyon Country is deputy project manager; Jennifer Trosper of Canyon Country is mission manager/surface operations [story]
Rover landing
SCV Chamber of Commerce will host a Non-Profit Love Match: Speed Networking with Local Nonprofits event, 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12 at James T Ventress Clubhouse, 24909 Newhall Ave., Santa Clarita, CA 91321.
Feb. 12: Non-Profit Love Match, Speed Networking with Local Nonprofits
The Santa Clarita Valley Education Foundation has announced registration is open for the annual Principal for a Day fundraising event to be held on Monday, Jan. 24.
Jan. 24: SCV Education Foundation Principal for a Day Returns
Beginning Tuesdays, Jan. 21 through May 27 from 10 a.m. - Noon, ARTree Community Arts Center will host Acrylic Painting Technique Classes for ages 18 and up.
Jan. 21-May 27: Acrylic Painting Techniques Classes at ARTree Arts Center
The city of Santa Clarita's “Exploring Domestic Spaces” exhibition will be on view through March 20, located at the Newhall Community Center, 22421 Market St. Newhall, CA 91321.
Newhall Community Center’s ‘Exploring Domestic Space Exhibition’ Runs Thru March
The Santa Clarita Artists Association presents "Signature YOU," Art Show, bringing an artists unique signature style to Old Town Newhall with a reception, 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at 22508 6th St., Newhall, CA 91321.
Jan. 18: SCAA Presents ‘Signature YOU’ Art Show Reception
SCVNews.com