A Walter Pidgeon costume from Forbidden Planet, also worn in Queen of Outer Space

MGM, 1956. Designed by Walter Plunkett. Chocolate brown raw silk 2-piece costume comprising a long-sleeved tunic with snap closures up the front and a bow-like design at the neck, an attached belt with snap closures, and an MGM cleaning tag pinned to the inner lining; and a pair of matching pleat-front trousers bearing an interior green-lettered "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer" label with "W. Pidgeon / 1471 4520 36-33" inscribed in ink to label and an MGM cleaning tag. The costume was also worn by actor Paul Birch in the film Queen of Outer Space (1958), which stars Zsa Zsa Gabor and which also features other costumes from Forbidden Planet including those worn by Anne Francis and the crew members. Walter Pidgeon experienced an illustrious career at MGM as a leading man in the 1930s and '40s and was the recipient of two Academy Awards®. He was pleasantly surprised when his performance as Dr. Morbius in Forbidden Planet launched him into cult status. The character of Morbius was a paradoxical one, both selfish and selfless, but Pidgeon was able to elicit from his audience equal amounts of sympathy and disdain. Perhaps taking a cue from the film, Pidgeon donated his body to medical science when he died. Accompanied by 2 vintage stills of Pidgeon wearing the costume.