Edith Head film series to bring classics, glamour to OKCMOA

OKLAHOMA CITY — The whole city is buzzing with excitement for the imminent June 22nd launch of “Edith Head: Hollywood’s Costume Designer” at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, bringing the iconic “Old Hollywood” costumer’s original screen-worn creations – and the air of glamour they carry –  into the museum galleries.

But seeing the legendary dresses and suits in person is only one part of the experience.

These clothes were created to be vibrant, eye-catching works of wearable art, but more than that, they were designed to be seen on screen, helping to conjure and embody the personalities of some of classic cinema’s most indelible characters.

So it’s perfectly appropriate that alongside the long-awaited exhibition, OKCMOA will also be launching an ongoing Edith Head film series in their Sam Noble Theater, running all the way through the installation’s tenure from June through September.

The series is set to feature some of the most acclaimed work of Head’s storied career, which of course means some of the most monumental films ever crafted.

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The Lady Eve

“First and foremost, the series offers a chance to see the exhibited costumes and sketches come to life onscreen,” OKCMOA’s Head of Film Programming, Dr. Lisa Broad, told Free Press. “Twelve of the fourteen films in the series correspond to costumes or sketches that appear in the exhibition.”

Particular attention was paid to spotlighting Head’s most enduring and stimulating partnerships, such as her collaborations with actresses Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn and with directors like Alfred Hitchcock, Preston Sturges, and Billy Wilder.

“I think she played a major part in shaping the glamorous, yet ultimately realistic aesthetic we associate with classical Hollywood.”

Dr. Lisa Broad, Head of Film Programming, OKCMOA

“I think she played a major part in shaping the glamorous, yet ultimately realistic aesthetic we associate with classical Hollywood,” Broad said of Head’s influence on cinema history. “She is admired for focusing on the actor, the role, and the story, rather than crafting a recognizable ‘Edith Head’ look that would draw attention to her artistry and away from the action and emotion of the film.”

The multi-month program is loaded with can’t-miss classics, but let’s take a look at some of the most exciting selections.

‘The Lady Eve’ – June 29th

Kicking off the Edith Head film series is directing legend Preston Sturges’ timeless comedy “The Lady Eve,” starring the incomparable Barbara Stanwyck as a con woman bent on winning the fortune – then the heart – of Henry Fonda’s bumbling brewery heir.

It’s one of the most essential and prototypical rom-coms of all time, and one of Stanwyck’s iconic costumes will be on display at the museum at the same time.

Alfred Hitchcock/Edith Head collaborations: ‘Rear Window’ – July 6th, ‘To Catch a Thief’ – July 13th, ‘Vertigo’ – July 20th 

No one mastered the thrills and excitement of cinema like Hitchcock, and when he paired with Head’s unmatched eye for design in the 1950s, the result was one of Hollywood’s greatest collaborations, marrying style with substance in a legacy rarely seen since.

The films chosen here correspond to pieces on display in the exhibition, but also serve as showcases for some of the era’s greatest leading actresses, with Grace Kelly in “Rear Window” and “To Catch a Thief” and Kim Novak’s unforgettable turn in “Vertigo.”

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Rear Window

With their shared themes exploring the transformative power of secrets and the obsessive power of imagination, these landmark films all still feel fresh. “Rear Window” examines voyeurism and surveillance. “To Catch a Thief” skewers the cynicism and detachment of the rich. “Vertigo” revels in the dangers of idealized obsession and even nostalgia.

Each one is a descent into a shockingly modern and relevant aspect of our present day.

If you’ve never seen these masterpieces on the big screen, you’ll do well to choose any one and take the leap (though “Vertigo” is surely my favorite.) 

‘Blue Hawaii’ – July 27th 

It’s got Elvis, Angela Lansbury, the coolest cars, the most breathtaking island scenery, and of course, Edith Head’s dresses.

What more could you possibly want for some lighthearted midsummer moviegoing?

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Blue Hawaii

‘The Sting’ – August 24th 

One the most stylish, most engrossing, most head-spinning, and above all, most fun films perhaps ever made, George Roy Hill’s 1973 con movie masterwork remains an integral part of cinema.

The untouchable screen pairing of Paul Newman and Robert Redford could only be enhanced by Head’s costuming, for which she secured her final Academy Award out of her staggering eight wins.

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The Sting

It’s not just the template for the entire continuing con movie genre, it’s also still the straight-up best and most legendary con movie ever.

I can’t stress this enough: go see “The Sting” in the theater.

‘Sunset Boulevard’ – September 14th 

Inarguably one of the greatest films of all time – and ranking in the top spot in countless lists over the years – Billy Wilder’s ode to the passage of Old Hollywood and the casualties left in its wake remains powerful, enthralling, and essential.

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Sunset Boulevard

The influence of “Sunset Boulevard” across the entire scope and scale of cinema is incalculable, with its imagery burned into the ages and its themes of aging, power, and manipulation still as relevant as ever.

From the opening narration delivered by a corpse in a swimming pool to the chilling, wild-eyed final shot of the masterful Gloria Swanson, this cinema classic represents a watershed in film history, and deserves to be seen and appreciated on the silver screen.

For more information, including the complete Edith Head Film Series lineup and schedule, visit okcmoa.com.


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Brett Fieldcamp has been covering arts, entertainment, news, housing, and culture in Oklahoma for nearly 15 years, writing for several local and state publications. He’s also a musician and songwriter and holds a certification as Specialist of Spirits from The Society of Wine Educators.