The Bride's Wig

[Gillfan]

Just realized the Bride's wig is in the Museum Of The Moving Image's collection.
Here's a pic from Sunday.

[Mike Scott]

Cool! Neat to see it in color! Wish the pic was better lit.

[Gillfan]

They have a no flash policy and it was behind plexi.
Sadly, their online directory of what is in the collection is far from complete, as I am sure they would have a better pic.

[EP1972]

That is interesting.  It has got to be the 4th wig I have seen attributed to Elsa.  Whats interesting is that Elsa gave a pretty detailed account of the hair process, where she stated that they placed her own hair into a cage, then did the streaks.  Is there a detailed history on the wig, and how it was obtained?  It certainly does not match the hair pattern from the Karloff Bride picture.  Perhaps "Young Frankenstein" or some 70's Bride remake?

[Gillfan]

Museum is in NY.
There was a detailed account, but sadly I was unable to photograph the text.
It day however say that Max Factor was involved and they do claim it is an original.

[RedKing]

That is very cool-I never realized the Bride was a redhead!

[raycastile]

That is not the hair that appeared in the film. Of course I wasn't on the set, but everything I've read about the film indicates that they used her real hair. And even if those stories were incorrect, this wig does not look like the hair in the film. The white streaks in the film are asymmetrical.

[EP1972]

That is not the hair that appeared in the film. Of course I wasn't on the set, but everything I've read about the film indicates that they used her real hair. And even if those stories were incorrect, this wig does not look like the hair in the film. The white streaks in the film are asymmetrical.

I agree, but I am not going to say that the wig is a fake.  Max Factor did absorb the Hollywood History Museum's collection which included many incredible pieces, and the only known color photo of the original Frankenstein 1931.  The wig may have been used in "Frankenstein", but I seriously doubt it had any on screen time.  All accounts have stated that Pierce used Elsa's actual hair (auburn red in color), as opposed to a wig.  The only avenue in which I could see this being used was as a stand In's wig, and/ or a stand by wig in case something should happen.  That would account for the same hair color as Elsa as opposed to your typical black version in most other films.  I am going to contact the museum today and see if they would be willing to give some additional info.  I will post the results here.

PS:  Here is the link to the Max Factor auction from last year:
http://www.icollector.com/auctionprint.aspx?as=17854

[Gillfan]

Here's abetter pic from someone else.

[Opera Ghost]

Here's abetter pic from someone else.

This looks to me, without a reference, to look more like Madeline Kahn's hair from Young Frankenstein?

[EP1972]

Quick update.  I called the Museums Archives Dept, and left a message.  So if I don't hear from them by tommarrow I will call again.  I don't expect too much info.  I am sure it will be a rehas of whatever the plaque reads.  But its worth a try.

[Most Horrible]

Gillman, I appreciate  your posting this topic. Do you happen to know the whereabouts of The Bride's dress??Is it still around?  I would like to see that along with any surviving costumes from that film and "Frankenstein". This year marks the 80th anniversary of the film "Frankenstein".

[Elisabeth]

Dear "Most".  I'm pretty sure that most costumes, from FRANKENSTEIN at least, were the actor's own "kit".  The film was made in the depth of the depressing DEPRESSION, and "BIG U" probably had a much smaller budget than places like WB or PARAMOUNT.  The Wedding suits were probably rented, with Mae's wedding gown being made for her. (I seem to remember there being "ballyhoo" about winning a copy of the wedding gown)  Fritz's rags,  the lab smocks,  Waldman's ancient frock coat and The Baron's smoking jacket probably came from the dark, back alleys of the wardrobe department.

As to the BRIDE'S HAIR...Elsa described her own hair being fluffed out, and then being combed over the cage...after that, switches of artificial hair  were added to fill out, and cover the rest of the cage.  Lastly, the white streaks were added.  NO WIG.

Boris's black suit had to be custom made too, I think.  No wardrobe department would have garb for a 7 foot tall, 300 pound manster!

Happy 80th Anniversary!!
"E"

[EP1972]

Who is"Most" & "E"?  Whom ever wrote that is incorrect on the wardrobe portion.

[Gillman-Fan]

More revisionist history . . . very disappointing.