Sunset Blvd.
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:03:01
Edith was very, very bright about
publicity, about promoting herself.

:03:02
Maybe they weren't original enough,
maybe they were too original.

:03:07
She was smart about what worked in
a film and what didn't. She really knew.

:03:07
All I know is,
they didn't sell.

:03:12
You can spot an Edith Head film
a mile away.

:03:12
Yep?
:03:16
There's a style that's definitely hers.
:03:18
Edith was a very good "people person".
:03:21
She worked very well with anybody.
:03:23
- Joseph C Gillis?
- That's right.

:03:24
Generally, on a picture, you have
a lot of people with conflicting ideas.

:03:25
- We've come for the car.
- What car?

:03:28
The star wants to look good
no matter what.

:03:30
1946 Plymouth convertible,
California licence 40 R 116.

:03:31
The director wants the clothes
to work for the dramatic situation,

:03:34
- Where are the keys?
- Why should I give you them?

:03:36
and not be too attention-grabbing.
:03:38
The company's played ball long
enough, you're three payments behind.

:03:38
The producer doesn't want
to spend too much money,

:03:42
the art director, the cameramen,
all these people have their input.

:03:42
And we've got a court order.
The keys.

:03:45
- Or do you want us to haul it away?
- The car isn't here.

:03:46
Edith was very good about
learning about all aspects of filmmaking.

:03:50
- Is that so?
- I loaned it to a friend.

:03:50
She could discuss things with everybody.
:03:53
She knew what was safe,
:03:53
- He took it to Palm Springs.
- Gone away for his health?

:03:55
and she sometimes would play it safe
rather than get into a bad position.

:03:57
- If you don't believe me, look.
- We believe you, now believe us.

:04:00
Sometimes taking chances is great
but it doesn't work for every director.

:04:02
That car better be here by noon
tomorrow or there'll be fireworks.

:04:05
The director has to ask
for something special.

:04:07
You say the cutest things.
:04:09
If they didn't, she played it pretty safe.
:04:11
She wasn't shy.
She was powerful, she was strong.

:04:14
She was demanding. She was tough.
:04:19
In 1948, at the insistence of Edith
and other Hollywood designers,

:04:20
I needed about $290 and I needed
it real quick, or I'd lose my car.

:04:23
an Academy Award for best
costume design was finally established.

:04:26
It wasn't in Palm Springs,
and it wasn't in the garage.

:04:28
Two Oscars would be given, one
for black and white and one for colour.

:04:30
I was way ahead
of the finance company.

:04:32
Edith was nominated for the picture
"The Emperor Waltz".

:04:33
I knew they'd come
and I wasn't taking chances.

:04:36
She didn't win,
and was very disappointed.

:04:37
So I kept it across the street
behind Rudy's shoeshine parlour.

:04:40
The next year she was nominated again,
for "The Heiress", and she did win.

:04:42
Rudy never asked any questions
about your finances,

:04:45
It was the first of eight Oscars Edith
Head would win in her 60-year career.

:04:45
he'd just look at your heels
and know the score.

:04:52
Darling, let's never leave this place.
:04:53
I had an original story
kicking around Paramount.

:04:56
My agent said it was dead,
but I knew a bigshot who liked me.

:04:57
Let's just stay here alone.

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