Helen Rose frequently designed costumes for period films that were much more contemporary in taste than the period they were supposed to depict. 𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑵𝒆𝒘𝒔 is set in 1927, and while the costumes do include some references to the period, the women’s costumes conform to the 1940s silhouette with a defined bust, fitted torso, and shoulder pads. This dress is the only one in the film that refers to the beaded chemise dresses of the 1920s. The dress is a deliberate stand-out, and features in the film’s plot line. New sorority member Pat McClellan is reprimanded for asking a sorority sister to fix the dress and informed it is much too showy for a party at the sorority house. However, when she reveals herself as an ego-centric, social-climbing gold-digger, she is told the dress is perfectly suited to her, and she makes her dramatic entrance down the staircase to a bevy of ogling football players. This distinctive piece was used again in the “Beautiful Girl” musical number in the 1952 classic 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏’ 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒂𝒊𝒏! In fact, most of the costumes from that musical number were either reused from previous films or went on to be used again later! Learn more at Bit.ly/PostEd247
