Moulin Rouge! in 35mm

Adapted for the screen from the Broadway hit, which was inspired by Gregory Maguire’s beloved twist on L. Frank Baum’s classic characters, Wicked bewitched audiences and was nominated for 10 Oscars at the 97th Academy Awards. Costume designer Paul Tazewell updated looks from The Wizard of Oz (1939)—the Wicked Witch’s black cape and hat and Glinda’s pink gown—for his winning designs, both on view in the museum’s Stories of Cinema: Identity gallery. Dark clothing with details inspired by plant roots and fungi reflects Elphaba’s seriousness and connection to nature. Pink garments decorated with frills and spirals underscore Galinda’s bubbly personality and status as the popular sweetheart of Shiz Academy.

A precursor of sorts to the beloved Technicolor classic White Christmas (1954), Holiday Inn marks the first on-screen pairing of crooner Bing Crosby and hoofer Fred Astaire. The two play versions of themselves and compete for the affections of a young singer at a winter resort. On view in the museum’s exhibition Stories of Cinema: Identity is a lavish satin costume with gold embellishments designed by Edith Head for Astaire’s character to wear in a number celebrating George Washington’s birthday, one of many holiday-themed musical performances. The film earned Oscar nominations for Scoring of a Musical Picture and for Story, and won for Original Song for “White Christmas” by Irving Berlin.

Content warning: This film contains a scene with a blackface performance.

Nearly retired tap dancer Bill “Corky” Williamson (stage and screen legend Bill “Bojangles” Robinson) recounts the welcome he and his 15th New York Regiment band received when they returned from Europe after World War I in this star-studded studio musical. Brimming with more than 20 songs, Stormy Weather features performances from Cab Calloway; the Nicholas Brothers (Fayard and Harold), who dazzle with a mind-boggling staircase dance routine; Fats Waller; and Lena Horne, who plays the young Corky’s girlfriend in a star-making performance. Visit Stories of Cinema: Identity to see a gorgeous silk, lamé, sequin, and glass bead costume worn by Horne during one of her nightclub performances in the film.