Theatrical Shoes. Below are some examples of shoes which have been used in theatrical and film productions including a pair of Bette Davis shoes from The Virgin Queen and a pair of ballet shoes worn by Dame Margo Fonteyn.
A pair of Bette Davis shoes from The Virgin Queen Warner Bros., 1955. Designed by Charles Le Maire. Light grey suede lace-up high heels, heavily beaded with silver and clear beads up the front, a flap of black leather with a silver beaded design over the laces and attached with snap closures, with “C.H. Wolfelt Co.” stamped to the insole of one shoe (the other insole is missing), and a “7” written in black ink to the insole, with “B. Davis / 20th” in black ink to the underside of the arch of each shoe, housed in a plexiglass shadowbox with a plaque inscribed, “The Virgin Queen / 1955, 20th Century Fox / Shoes Worn By / Bette Davis.” Wolfelt shoes were considered the last word in style starting in 1908. These shoes were likely purchased from Wolfelt, with the beads and other decoration sewn on by the Fox wardrobe department. Davis had played the monarch once before in 1939 with Errol Flynn; in this film, she teamed up with Richard Todd as Sir Walter Raleigh. The costumes by Le Maire were sumptuous and shown to advantage in the Technicolor film. Accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity. Shadow box: 11 x 11 x 9 in.
Sold for US$ 1,125 (£ 859) inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2018
Moira Shearer/The Red Shoes, 1948 A pair of red satin ballet shoes, the soles stamped with the size 3½ and the manufacturer’s detail K. FREED LONDON, one shoe signed and inscribed on the sole in black ink To Tom – with very best wishes, sincerely Moira Shearer, additionally signed by Anton Walbrook and Leonide Massine – worn by Moira Sheara as Victoria Page in the 1948 Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger film The Red Shoes
Sold for GBP 14,100 at Christie;s in 2000
FONTEYN, DAME MARGO Pair of pink satin ballet shoes, each signed by Fonteyn on the front and dated 1972. Mounted on specially made stand with plastic cover and drawer containing the following letters: two autograph letters by Fonteyn to Thomas Luce Summa, each one page, New York, 28 July 1971 and 27 June 1976, with envelopes, each thanking him for flowers, and pieces of correspondence with the Royal Academy of Dancing about the shoes.
Sold for $900 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2005
Donald O’Connor’s custom-made Capezio tap shoes attributed by his family to screen-use in his role as Cosmo Brown in the classic 1952 musical film Singin’ in the Rain. The black leather tap shoes are tightly laced and bear faded gilt Capezio maker’s stamps on the gray insoles. In very good to fine condition, with flaking to the leather and obvious signs of wear and use. Accompanied by an original Donald O’Connor business card. In Singin’ in the Rain, O’Connor famously did an impressive dance that culminated in a series of backflips off the wall. He won the 1953 Golden Globe for ‘Best Actor – Comedy or Musical’ for his memorable performance.
Sold For $2,205 at RR Auction in 2019
Pair of shoes worn by Johnny O’Keefe. Made in Australia, Oceania, 1955-1960. Johnny O’Keefe was Australia’s first rock ‘n’ roll star. Full of energy, confidence and ambition, he was a dynamic live performer with a raw voice and an exuberant stage presence that earned him the nickname ‘the wild one’. He hosted his own television shows and did much to encourage and promote other Australian rock performers, but his greatest legacy was as a performer and recording artist. These red and gold shoes, decorated with fringed leather and stuffed with faux emeralds, accompany the bright red suit with leopard-print velvet trim made by O’Keefe’s mother, Thelma (Powerhouse Museum object 98/32/2). Up to 1960, O’Keefe had a taste for flash stage costumes which accentuated his wild image. He was rough, raw and loud. His talent lay in his genuine feel for rock ‘n’ roll and his wild, frenzied and overtly sexual stage antics. He would throw himself into each song, shaking his body and grinning at his fans.
Reference: Museum of Applied Art and Sciences
(Columbia, 1992) A pair of prop shoes that were used by Dustin Hoffman in his role as Bernie LaPlante in the Columbia Pictures feature film, “Hero”, often called “Accidental Hero”. These shoes were originally provided by Hoffman for a charity auction to benefit a children’s cause, and were signed by Hoffman as part of the auction. The shoes are in good condition with expected minor wear from use.
Sold for $350 at Van Eaton Galleries in 2019
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