Marjorie Best sketch for Giant

The Marjorie Best papers span the years 1934–1965 (bulk 1947–1965) and encompass 3.8 linear feet. The collection consists primarily of script material, wardrobe plots, and costume sketches. Eight of the scripts are signed by the cast and several are annotated. Wardrobe plots, many with cloth swatches attached, document Best's work on more than 30 films. The document boxes contain more than 40 costume sketches, including signed sketches for Look for the Silver Lining (1948). Three flat boxes contain oversize costume sketches for 32 films from 1938 to 1965, including The Adventures of Don Juan (1949) , The Adventures of Marco Polo (1938), Giant (1956), The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) , Rio Bravo (1959), Sunrise at Campobello (1960), That Hamilton Woman! (1941), and The Time, the Place and the Girl (1947). Nearly two dozen sketches from the 1930s and 1940s remain to be identified. Rounding out the collection are sketches by two other designers: a Bob Mackie signed sketch for The Judy Garland Show and an unidentified sketch by Irene. Best's Academy Award statuette for The Adventures of Don Juan and her certificates of nomination also are present. Of special interest is a list compiled by Best that includes the film title, studio, date, and number of sketches she provided for nearly 90 films while employed by United Costumers. A script for Giant is signed by the cast, with scenes tabbed by location and date.

Gift of Marjorie Best, 1987; Marjorie Best estate, 1997.