Mary Grant Price
Encyclopedia
Mary Grant Price was an American costume designer of Welsh birth who worked in theatre and film. She worked professionally under the name Mary Grant. She began her career on Broadway in the mid 1930s, first as an assistant to Raoul Pene Du Bois
, and later as a lead designer during the 1940s. In 1943 she began working in film and spent much of the 1940s and 1950s designing costumes for Hollywood motion pictures. She was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
.
before moving to New York City to study design. She began her career as an assistant designer to Raoul Pene Du Bois
in 1935 at the age of 18. She also worked during the late 1930s and early 1940s as an assistant to Miles White
. She worked with these two men on several notable Broadway
shows, including the original productions of DuBarry Was a Lady
(1939), Sons o' Fun (1941), and Oklahoma!
(1943) among others. As head designer, she designed costumes for eight Broadway shows, including Mexican Hayride
(1944) and Marinka
(1945).
Between 1943-1972 Grant designed costumes for 14 motion pictures, beginning with Follies Girl in 1943. While working on the 1948 film Up in Central Park
she met actor Vincent Price
. She became Price's second wife and is the mother of Victoria Price (b. 1962) and the stepmother of Vincent Barrett Price (b. 1940). The couple divorced in 1974.
In November 2011 daughter Victoria was guest of honour at the annual Abertoir Horror Film Festival in Aberystwyth
.
Raoul Pene Du Bois
Raoul Pene Du Bois was an American costume designer and scenic designer for the stage and film. He was nominated for two Academy Awards in the category Best Art Direction.-Career:...
, and later as a lead designer during the 1940s. In 1943 she began working in film and spent much of the 1940s and 1950s designing costumes for Hollywood motion pictures. She was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a professional honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures...
.
Life and career
Price studied dance for one semester at the University of WashingtonUniversity of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
before moving to New York City to study design. She began her career as an assistant designer to Raoul Pene Du Bois
Raoul Pene Du Bois
Raoul Pene Du Bois was an American costume designer and scenic designer for the stage and film. He was nominated for two Academy Awards in the category Best Art Direction.-Career:...
in 1935 at the age of 18. She also worked during the late 1930s and early 1940s as an assistant to Miles White
Miles White
Miles E. White was a top costume designer of Broadway musicals for 25 years. He is known in the entertainment industry for his well rendered, prolific, imaginative and witty designs. He won recognition, including four Donaldson Awards and two Tony Awards.The Donaldson Award was established in 1944...
. She worked with these two men on several notable Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
shows, including the original productions of DuBarry Was a Lady
DuBarry Was a Lady
DuBarry Was a Lady is a Broadway musical, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, and the book by Herbert Fields and B.G. DeSylva. The musical starred Bert Lahr, Ethel Merman and Betty Grable, and the song "Friendship" was one of the highlights...
(1939), Sons o' Fun (1941), and Oklahoma!
Oklahoma!
Oklahoma! is the first musical written by composer Richard Rodgers and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs. Set in Oklahoma Territory outside the town of Claremore in 1906, it tells the story of cowboy Curly McLain and his romance...
(1943) among others. As head designer, she designed costumes for eight Broadway shows, including Mexican Hayride
Mexican Hayride (musical)
Mexican Hayride is a musical with a book by Herbert Fields and Dorothy Fields and music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The show opened on Broadway in 1944.-Production:...
(1944) and Marinka
Marinka
Marinka is an operetta by Hungarian composer Emmerich Kálmán with book by George Marion, Jr. and Karl Farkas, and lyrics by George Marion, Jr. The operetta is a retelling of the story of the Mayerling incident, but with a happy ending replacing the infamous 1889 double suicide of Austrian Crown...
(1945).
Between 1943-1972 Grant designed costumes for 14 motion pictures, beginning with Follies Girl in 1943. While working on the 1948 film Up in Central Park
Up in Central Park
Up in Central Park is a Broadway musical with a book by Herbert Fields and Dorothy Fields, lyrics by Dorothy Fields, and music by Sigmund Romberg...
she met actor Vincent Price
Vincent Price
Vincent Leonard Price, Jr. was an American actor, well known for his distinctive voice and serio-comic attitude in a series of horror films made in the latter part of his career.-Early life and career:Price was born in St...
. She became Price's second wife and is the mother of Victoria Price (b. 1962) and the stepmother of Vincent Barrett Price (b. 1940). The couple divorced in 1974.
In November 2011 daughter Victoria was guest of honour at the annual Abertoir Horror Film Festival in Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre and holiday resort within Ceredigion, Wales. Often colloquially known as Aber, it is located at the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol....
.
Filmography
- Follies Girl (1943)
- The Princess and the PirateThe Princess and the PirateThe Princess and the Pirate is a 1944 American comedy film released by Samuel Goldwyn, starring Bob Hope and Virginia Mayo. This was the only appearance in a Goldwyn film by Paramount Pictures star Hope.-Plot:...
(1944) - Wonder ManWonder Man (film)Wonder Man is a 1945 film starring Danny Kaye and Virginia Mayo. It is based on a short story by Arthur Sheekman, adapted for the screen by a staff of writers led by Jack Jevne and Eddie Moran, produced by Samuel Goldwyn, and directed by H. Bruce Humberstone...
(1945) - Up in Central ParkUp in Central ParkUp in Central Park is a Broadway musical with a book by Herbert Fields and Dorothy Fields, lyrics by Dorothy Fields, and music by Sigmund Romberg...
(1948) - Texas, Brooklyn and HeavenTexas, Brooklyn and HeavenTexas, Brooklyn and Heaven is a 1948 American romantic comedy film directed by William Castle and starring Guy Madison and Diana Lynn.- Plot :...
(1948) - Bride of VengeanceBride of VengeanceBride of Vengeance is a 1949 adventure film directed by Mitchell Leisen. Mary Grant designed the film's costumes. It stars Paulette Goddard and John Lund.-Cast:*Paulette Goddard as Lucrezia Borgia*John Lund as Alfonso d'Este...
(1949) - Red Stallion in the RockiesRed Stallion in the RockiesRed Stallion in the Rockies is a 1949 American film directed by Ralph Murphy. Mary Grant designed the film's costumes.- Cast :*Arthur Franz as Thad Avery*Jean Heather as Cynthia "Cindy" Smith*Jim Davis as Dave Ryder...
(1949) - We're No Angels (1955)
- The Vagabond KingThe Vagabond King (1956 film)The Vagabond King is a 1956 musical film remake of the 1925 operetta The Vagabond King by Rudolf Friml. It starred Kathryn Grayson and Oreste Kirkop , with early roles for Rita Moreno and Leslie Nielsen. Sir Cedric Hardwicke played a notable supporting role. It was Walter Hampden's last movie....
(1956) - The Bachelor PartyThe Bachelor PartyThe Bachelor Party is a 1953 teleplay by Paddy Chayefsky which was adapted by Chayefsky for a 1957 film.-Television:Chayefsky's teleplay was produced by Fred Coe for The Philco Television Playhouse on October 11, 1953...
(1957) - Sweet Smell of SuccessSweet Smell of SuccessSweet Smell of Success is a 1957 American film noir made by Hill-Hecht-Lancaster Productions and released by United Artists. It was directed by Alexander Mackendrick and stars Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Susan Harrison and Martin Milner. The screenplay was written by Clifford Odets, Ernest Lehman...
(1957) - Separate TablesSeparate Tables (film)Separate Tables is a 1958 American drama film based on two one-act plays by Terence Rattigan that were collectively known by this name. It was directed by Delbert Mann, and adapted by Rattigan, John Gay and an uncredited John Michael Hayes. Mary Grant designed the film's costumes.The film took the...
(1958) - The Devil's Disciple (1959)
- An Evening of Edgar Allan Poe (1972)