“He’s a Genius, That’s All”—An Oral history of Bob Mackie

Bob Mackie created the famous "curtain gown" for the 1976 "Went with the Wind" skit on The Carol Burnett exhibit. observed Captain Ratt Butler (Harvey Korman): "That costume is wonderful." "thank you, I noticed it in the window and i simply couldn't withstand it," responded Starlet O'Hara (Burnett).Drawing by way of Bob Mackie, courtesy of the clothier; Everett collection

THE CAROL BURNETT reveal

Carol Burnett, actress: The reveal became going to move on in September of 1967 and my husband and i had seen a Mitzi Gaynor particular . . . and i spoke of, "Boy, the costumes she's wearing are really top notch." and then Alice in Wonderland was on television, and those costumes were simply excellent, and we saw the credit—Bob Mackie—so we spoke of, "neatly, might be we'll be lucky ample to get him." So we referred to as, and we made an appointment for him to return over to the condo. And bing-bong, there he changed into on time, and that i opened the door, and he gave the impression of he become 12 (he still does), and that i talked about, "Are you Bob Mackie?!" (I think he changed into in his late 20s on the time), and he got here in and we just noted, "k, will you do the display?" and he spoke of, "sure," and that was it.

Schlatter: in the event you realize what number of costumes Bob did each week for Th e Carol Burnett demonstrate, and the incontrovertible fact that every a type of costumes had to be constructed so the [actors] could get in and out of them in beneath a minute and nonetheless look elegant . . . he's a genius, that's all. Mackie is exciting. he is a very supportive drive box of positive power who is a satisfaction.  

Burnett: I don't feel there's any one in the historical past of costume design who may do what Bob did, and continues to do. There are some extraordinary costume designers on Broadway and in the movies—however Bob, on every one of my indicates, did a standard of sixty five costumes per week. And he dressed all and sundry: the dancers, singers, the visitor stars, us. He even designed the wigs and how the makeup might possibly be. He designed all the humorous stuff, and the entire pleasing stuff.  

McFate: When Bob become doing The Carol Burnett display and The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour [etc.], he was offered lots of differ ent [jobs]. He was offered films—he become offered The extremely good Gatsby. there were issues he was offered that he grew to become down as a result of he changed into loving what he became doing at CBS. That linked him with tv. I've obtained to discover the correct method to say this, however a lot of people seem to be down their noses at designers who make garb for television.

Mackie: This ultimate yr it had been 50 years due to the fact that The Carol Burnett demonstrate got here on the air. I adored working with Carol as a result of she in fact let me make a contribution to the ideas, and infrequently i'd assist her with a personality. You need to form of work [character] out visually, and if it helps the comedy in her case, it's even better.  

Burnett: there were times when I didn't understand how i used to be going to do a personality except I went to the costume fitting and placed on what Bob had in mind. [I'd] look in the reflect and i stated , "Oh! That's who she is." It was striking. Tim Conway wrote those characters, and at first he had Mrs. Wiggins—she's the secretary the IQ fairy not ever visited—being this form of doddering ancient lady. I went into the costume and Bob referred to, "You know, we've been doing a lot of ancient women currently, let's make her different." So he grew to become her into this bimbo with the blond wig, and the rush-up bra, and the precise tight black skirt, and the excessive heels stilettos. and i bear in mind, I put the skirt on—it turned into an ancient skirt he had in his costume location—and it turned into black wool and it turned into very tight on the knees, but it surely bagged in the at the back of. and i said, "Bob, you're going to need to take it in again there, because I'm flat," and he observed, "No, no stick your at the back of into it." and that i did and that gave me that appear, the place it gave the impression of she had a huge rear conclusion and that humorous stroll; that gave me her character.  

and naturally you know the long gone with the Wind [costume], that's within the Smithsonian. well, Bob came up with that, [too]. originally it become written that i'd come down the stairs with the draperies simply form of placing on me—and also you be aware of Bob's bought this wicked, outstanding sense of humor—and he mentioned, "You understand, that's no longer that humorous." So he sketched up [something new] and he known as the prop department and spoke of, "ship me over the curtain rod and fabric." once I went into the fitting that Wednesday, he spoke of, "I even have an idea for the curtain gown." I walked into the room and there it become, and i fell on the floor, i used to be laughing so hard, and that i mentioned, "here's going to move down in history as probably the most most fulfilling sight gags ever in the heritage of television"—and it has.  

Fern M allis, trade advisor: The curtain dress is the primary factor that comes to intellect at all times, [when you think of Bob]. It's an unbelievable piece of fashion history.  

Gregg Barnes, costume clothier: The curtain dress is so, so iconic, I feel they may still put it in a box of all of the most noted things from the 20th century.