Film academy acquires material documenting career of Michael Woulfe

Drawings, photographs, clippings and correspondence documenting the career of renowned movie costume designer Michael Woulfe have been acquired by the Margaret Herrick Library of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Woulfe, who died in 2007 at age 89, worked primarily at RKO designing costumes for such films as 1952’s “Clash by Night,” which featured a young Marilyn Monroe; 1954’s “The French Line,” with Jane Russell; and the infamous 1956 “The Conqueror,” starring John Wayne as Genghis Khan.

The collection was donated by the designer’s friend, David V. Jervis.

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“We are honored that Mr. Jervis has generously donated items highlighting the impressive career of Michael Woulfe to our library,” library director Linda Mehr said in a statement. “With this collection, students, filmmakers and film historians can now experience and be inspired by the works of the legendary costume designer.”

Woulfe began his career with the 1945 Jimmy Cagney World War II thriller “Blood on the Sun.” Howard Hughes, who owned RKO, hired him as the studio’s head costume designer in 1949. Four years later, he became a founding member of the Costume Designers Guild.

He also created personal wardrobes for Russell, Judy Garland and Jean Simmons, as well as costumes for the nightclub shows of Debbie Reynolds, Lena Horne and Joey Heatherton.

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