After that, she changed her name, dyed her hair, and negotiated a better contract. Marilyn Monroe was a size 16. Thats smaller than the notoriously anorexic-looking Kate Moss (1990s model). Amy Schumer has built a career on being the funny but chubby girl who everyone knows and loves. 31. Also look at the women in comparison to their male stars. ;) Women were simply much smaller back then, as any vintage dealer will tell you. how did old hollywood stars have such small waists Product categories. Alfred Hitchcock. I undoubtedly will hold your comments in consideration when I do the following replace on the chartI agree that 112 appears a bit unrealistic if those are indeed her measurements. MelaniesaidRegarding the bigger heads-I recall as far back as the silent period, Mary Pickford in her autobiography Sunshine And Shadow, noting this about herself. Ninel Conde's body is a dream. Their waists are tiny! That's how Sharon Tate ended up in The Beverly Hillbillies and Ava Gardner in Hitler's Madman. Watch our video to learn about the many Old Hollywood stars who found fame in unusual ways. It is highly unlikely that the numbers for Marilyn and Jane, for example, were recorded at the same point during their GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES.2) These numbers do not take the weight fluctuation of the stars into consideration, and some--such as Marilyn--had much more fluctuation than others.3) These numbers were sometimes provided by studios' PR folks for magazine copy, so they were definitely idealized (just like today's PR folks do and all the photoshopping that goes on).This list is compiled more for entertainment, though I am often taking numbers from the studios themselves as well as some costume designers for the stars. Anonymous mentionedVivien leigh was 51 on an excellent day, exact same with Natalie Wood. And you're absolutely right--one can have similar measurements and different weights. But not quite as thin asthey got to bein the 1960s. Generally, she looked fleshy, as in The Seven Year Itch, yet people say her famous costume would barely fit on a modern size 2 mannequin. Shirley Temple learned from a young age that it was never a good idea to be unprofessional on set. :). Carole Lombard's height has been a subject for debate for some time. She was pregnant when she made Some Like It Hot, which explains her amplitude in that film. 2. I am very suspicious. :). Secrets to the Small Waists of Old Hollywood, 2. However, what was the regime that allowed them to stay in shape? Never saw a pic that captured her beauty.Saw Debbie Reynolds at a party and was amazed at how petite she was. First I was like, "Hey, why is Katharine Hepburn all the way at the bottom?' Many women wore them with 4 gaps. Though much of the movie f As I continue my History of Fashion in Film series online - the 1920s can be viewed on demand and the 1930s are July 17 - Turner Classic Last year I shared a chart I created with the heights, weights, and measurements (as available) of our favorite actresses from cla Marilyn Monroe is definitely having another moment in popular culture. I think some of those measurements are smaller than they actually were. Katharine Hepburn famously rejected her studio's guidelines on dress code and reportedly walked around set in her underwear, refusing to get dressed, after someone in the costume department at RKO Radio Pictures took her pants away. You see, the Golden Age of Hollywood was a time between the '20s and '60s when the studio system ruled, meaning the Big Five studios controlled the film industry. Plus, we then believed everything that was said to us by the studios and the stars themselves. "MGM had all sorts of penalty clauses about their stars having babies," Gardner revealed in her autobiography, Ava: My Story. Especially the stats of the stars. Cooking was not as hands-on as you think. Thank you so much for giving us this great site. Jennifer Lopez. There actually isn't a one size fits all for me. As a outcome, I put collectively a chart with lots of the actresses we all know and love. Less refined sugars and carbohydrates + extra activity usually means a decrease physique fats % and a usually leaner wanting body. The illusion was due to the talented production teams--from set designers to clever directors and cinematographers. Studios often appointed assistants to their actors, who would advise and take care of the stars. As a 5'6" 34-25-37 weighing 113, Veronica and I may have similar measurements but different weights. Mandy Moore Waistline: 24 inches Aside from her famous tear-jerking movie A Walk To Remember, Mandy Moore has been a successful singer and songwriter. ;). Here's What Sizes Old Hollywood Celebs Wore Then-and the Crazy Numbers They Translate to Today. which measurements did you use? While being groomed to become Hollywood's newest star, studios tested their young actors with small parts to see how they did. Many old movies show them wearing corsets while performing on screen, and off-screen they practiced rigorous exercise regimes combined with calorie restriction in order to stay trimmed. Monroe's weight seems spot-on though. That means a gal today may have the same measurements as one of these stars, but weigh more.And, as you agreed with me, these numbers--especially dress sizes--are essentially meaningless. By using Hollywood Clean, filmmakers can maximize their production quality and achieve the best possible results. Studios went to nice lengths to market those images to their viewers, typically even making up faux backstories for their expertise. Jean Harlow was advised that turning into a spouse would alter her sex appeal, and, because of the morality clause in her contract with MGM, the studio was allowed to deny her marriage to William Powell. Your email address will not be published. Joan Crawford and Elizabeth Taylor each adopted youngsters, because it allowed them to continue working, whereas Loretta Young stored her pregnancy and start a secret from the common public and later adopted her organic daughter, Judy Lewis. 10 Celebrity Men Who Have Small Penises | YourTango The fashion models of that timehad waist sizes of 24 inches or less. Ms. Jung started out with a more typically dimensioned 26-inch waistline and, through the wearing of corsets around the clock over the course of ten years, slimmed it down to a mere 15 inches . Rock Hudson was forced to marry his agent's secretary, Phyllis Gates. I think her height is a little fudged in this though. The truth is, many of these stars rely on a combination of dieting and corsets to achieve their desired waist size. While promoting Babes in Arms, Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland acted like a couple, but in real-life Rooney was a well-known playboy. Thanks for compiling and sharing--this is fascinating! In Korea, the term ant waist is used to describe someone with an incredibly tiny waist. Monroe was taller than I expected. Brad Pitt Say, it ain't so!? How were women's waists so small in the 50s? - Quora Perhaps there is no better example than Frances Farmer. PHOTOS: the varying heights of Norma, Joan, and Roz in. Getting time off was subject to the studio. The Marilyn Monroe dresses were absolutely tiny, maybe a UK size 8 for the white Seven Year Itch iconic one, and the ones she looked very big in in Some Like It Hot were certainly no bigger than a UK size 12, and she looked so much bigger in that movie than in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, on screen. Famous Fashions, Then vs. Now (Hollywood's Menswear History) Minor roles in movies usually came first. Henderson is located in Northwest Nevada, and Henderson is well known for its casinos, golf courses, and luxury homes. It's true, Howard. The imaginary women they depict in comic books and animated films have hips like Playmates but impossibly small waists. Anyway, hope I'm not boring anyone to tears with this trivia, it interests me no end, as the fashions and desired figures, superficial things like that, can say deeper things about the era, as sociologists know. Hollywood first came to existence as we know it in 1908, debuting its first movie, "The Count of Monte Cristo." According to History, a mere three years later, Hollywood gained its first movie studio on Sunset Boulevard. As a baby star, Judy Garland was force-fed speed and inspired to smoke cigarettes to curb her appetite. Women were primarily limited to all-American girl next door or sexy bombshell typecasting. Thanks for the input, Veronica! How do all these hot famous women have such small waists?! The stats show Jane Russell as having smaller hips than Marilyn Monroe but if you look at them together in the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes that obviously is not true. One of the many responsibilities of Old Hollywood film stars was that they had to cater to the press. Accusation: J.Lo's booty is legendary, and while her curves have paved the way for other curvy artists, she also gets criticized frequently for her best, ahem, asset. But have you ever wondered what fashion tips they followed to achieve their iconic look? One of the most notable features of these vintage starlets was their tiny midsections. But talent could be loaned to other studios. How to Get a Smaller Waist (with Pictures) - wikiHow That might be tmi, but I am very proud! Minimal child labor laws meant that studios could require kids to work just as much as their grownup counterparts. They could not work with different studios while on contract. During the studio system, it was unheard of for an actor to refuse a part, because doing so often had severe consequences. how did old hollywood stars have such small waists. Just genetics. Like going on a historic tour & looking at their tiny little beds & thinking 'how did they sleep in that?'. America' Cast Looks Like IRL, Tan & Gigi Aren't Your Typical Reality Show Judges, Daisy Jones & The Six: Book vs Show Differences, 35 Classic Photos from the Academy Awards, 35 Rules You Probably Didn't Know Old Hollywood Stars Had to Follow. Myth: Marilyn Monroe was a size 12-16. I recall in her 1932 film "Love Me Tonight" (co-starring the ever-charming Maurice Chevalier), in one scene where she is giving her vital statistics to a doctor, she claims (in song) that her waist is 28". I am suspicious, though, that in some cases the data came from studio PR. That said, I still love being tall! How did they do it? Its the same one that brought me from this: in 3 months. But its at all times fascinating to me to get some sense of their size, especially top when so many of those girls appeared bigger than life onscreen. Which One is Better for Your Skin, 7 Simple Healthy Habits For A Healthier Hair And Scalp, How Do You Dry Out a Wet Interior Wall 2022 Guide. Here are 10 idols who shocked everyone with their amazingly small waist. They literally looked like baby gap frocks. They of course also included my beloved costume designers, who fixed many a figure flaw in order to turn these actresses into icons. Thanks all for the ongoing feedback. What is Hollywoods secret to shaping those tiny waists? Why 1950's Women Hold the Answer to Being Thin And women often had to change their appearances. Men preferred more shapely women. ;) I really appreciate your feedback and will be adjusting Elizabeth Taylor's info the next time I refresh the chart. 2) These numbers do not take the load fluctuation of the celebs into consideration, and somesuch as Marilynhad rather more fluctuation than others. 3. Minimal child labor laws meant that studios could require children to work just as much as their adult counterparts. You see, the Golden Age of Hollywood was a time between the 20s and 60s when the studio system ruled, which means the Big Five studios managed the film business. How Did Sandy Liang Become Downtown NY's Uniform? A History of Corsets And Waist Trainers - Galore The Hollywood Voucher Scheme is a government-funded loan program that provides financial assistance to film and television production companies in the UK. lol Again, the numbers come from different points in their careers, come from different sources (some from costume designers--believable, some from studio PR--not so believable), and so on. 25 Vitamin C Serums That Will Help Your Skin Glow. I have been self conscious about my weight and body shape for most of my adult life; that is, until I learned I am very close in size to THE Grace Kelly. Furthermore, corsets are commonly used under dresses or costumes to give an extra push in slimming down their figures even more. And you're right to be suspicious--some numbers we know came straight from studio PR (e.g. Take a look at old photos from the 1950s and what do you notice about the women? Go to a vintage store you can see it. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Wonderful posture. Back then that was small women's, or SW, later called 12. Great information Kimberly. Jeannette McDonald was petite in height-I've seen 5'3" and 5'4" (5'3" is considered the "official" cut-off for petite height). 36" bust sure, but I'd guess 32D+ bra size is more like it!