Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Wardrobe Department

The photograph series of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Wardrobe Department records spans the years 1925–1973 and encompasses 20 linear feet. The series consists of black-and-white and color prints, negatives, and transparencies. The photographs are all motion picture production photographs.

The material includes wardrobe test, costume design drawing, and wardrobe research photographs. Wardrobe test (or wardrobe reference) photographs are stills of the actors in costume just prior to the filming of a scene. These were primarily taken for purposes of continuity and reveal very clear details of costuming, makeup and hairstyling. The material is arranged alphabetically by film title. Titles include Ben-Hur (1959), The Big House (1930), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), Flesh and the Devil (1927), The Good Earth (1937), The Great Ziegfeld (1936), The Philadelphia Story (1940), Queen Christina (1934), Waterloo Bridge (1940), and The Wind (1928).

Gift of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (presented by Eugene H. Murray, MGM Wardrobe Department supervisor), 1980.