Fashion (License) Plate

One of my top five favorite films is The Great Race, starring Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood, and Jack Lemmon.  It's an annual Thanksgiving weekend staple in our home, and everyone in the family has to be able to say "Who's Texas Jack?" in proper voice. If you go to The Great Race trivia at imdb.com, you'll find in the trivia section of The Great Race a factoid regarding Maggie DuBois' costumes changes. It was added by none other than me!  In my eyes, Natalie Wood was one of the most beautiful women that graced the silver screen.  So, it is fitting that this motion picture goddess would be well-suited. Literally, well-suited! There are 19 costumes changes in this 160-minute homage dedicated to "Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy."


Here are some of my favorite pieces in the collection:

Prior to this cowboy outfit outside of Borracho, there have already been 4 costumes.

This is cinnamon coat & fur is the 1st of 4 full-length coats with fur-trimmed hoods.

Now on a floating iceberg, this is red coat with fur is the 2nd to appear.

This is one of my favorites! The photo color does not give justice to the sapphire blue!

Once on land & in Russia, again the photo color does not come close to the amazing deep, teal green of this  form-fitting coat with fur & scarf-trimmed hat.

Prior to this, Maggie DuBois has been in a corset, a blanket (& she still is amazing!),
and on the road immediately preceding this scene, a grey-green riding coat, hat in flowers, & goggles.
This pink ensemble at #18 gets Maggie & Leslie almost to the finish line!
The bridal gown completes the collection at #19.

So there you have it! I know there's one reader out there who is a Great Race fan already (CM), but if you've never seen this 1965 Blake Edwards film, take an evening and watch!  Even if you lose count on the Natalie's costumes, you will find the reunited Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon a team to behold.  Every scene is perfectly crafted, and the co-stars are not only abundant, but do their part in each scene in giving the leads a run for their money. But you will be speechless over Donfeld's costume designs.