Kept Woman Wednesday: Designing Woman (1957)

Today's TCM schedule features...an Elvis Presley movie marathon, which includes my aunt's favorite: Kissin' Cousins (1964).

I don't have too much to write about Elvis, except that his Christmas album is essential holiday fare, though I have no idea why it includes "Mama liked the Roses."

So instead, this Wednesday I'll call your attention to Designing Woman. Which has a mediocre plot. Despite that! it possesses three distinct*, enticing reasons to watch: Vincente Minnelli direction. Gregory Peck in Technicolor (if not Gregory Peck in Rome, Gregory Peck in Technicolor is the next best thing). And, lastly, sumptuous costumes from Helen Rose (also responsible for High Society and a bevy of tantalizing textiles.) The Designing Woman showstopper is this mink dress.

Today, no living being would dare get away with this look. But it was more than passable for a time, an era this Kept Woman would like to revisit today on TCM.

*A fourth attraction is that Lauren Bacall's character's name is Marilla. Marilla! Like Cuthbert.