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The Magic of Edith Head - Page 2

© Anne Paxton

In the book Edith Head's Hollywood she philosophized about herself "I knew I could never be the greatest costume designer, but I knew there was no reason I couldn't be the smartest." (pg. 118) Edith knew that with each decade fashions change and so did studios attitudes toward designers. The 1960's brought sweeping change for the studios; television was now a serious competitor for audiences. Many designers at other studios were considered too expensive to keep on and were either fired or they left to make more money elsewhere. Edith, having no desire to work retail, knew that the only way to keep her job was publicity and lots of it. Publicity was attention and attention mixed with a product such as a movie featuring Edith Head designs would definitely bring in money. Paramount continued to encourage Edith to promote their movies (or her movies as she like to refer to them as) on the TV show Art Linkletter's House Party and showcased different movie costumes in her travelling fashion show. House Party would bring Edith directly in touch with her fans. Each episode she would walk up and down the aisles of the audience giving advice to each woman. Advising women to cut their hair, go on a diet, not to wear polka dots, etc. She was sometimes harsh and blunt with them, but they always appreciated the honesty. She was their one link to not only the glamour secrets of the stars, but they believed Edith knew the secret to their own personal glamour.

Unfortunately, even she could not stop the winds of change when Paramount merged with Gulf+Western in 1966. Edith's contract expired in 1967 and was not renewed. Universal Studios immediately signed her and after forty-four years of service to Paramount, Edith packed her Oscars and sketched pads and moved to Universal Studios. Many of the films she did at Universal were forgettable, but instead of waiting around for a great film Edith began calling directors and producers recommending herself for their films. It paid off with many wonderful films such as Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, Sweet Charity, and The Sting.. Her last picture, Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid, was a fitting end for Edith. The Steve Martin film, a comedy set in the 1940's, had Edith designing clothes she had made in the beginning of her career for such films as Notorious and The Lady Eve. Edith had come full circle. In 1981, two weeks after the movie was completed Edith passed away. Stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant, Natalie Wood and many others attended her funeral. Bette Davis gave the eulogy, calling Edith the queen of fashion. Edith outlasted many other designers during the turbulent years of the movie studios, but her work ethic and love of fashion kept her in the public's view for over fifty years. She was last and most brilliant of her kind and to this day she is remembered, but sorely missed.

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