The Marjorie Best papers span the years 1934-1965 (bulk 1947-1965) and encompass 3.8 linear feet. The collection consists primarily of script material, wardrobe plots, and costume sketches. Eight of the scripts, including GIANT, are signed by the cast and several are annotated. Wardrobe plots, many with cloth swatches attached, document Best's work on more than 30 films. The collection contains more than 40 costume sketches, including signed sketches for LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING (1948), and oversize costume sketches for 32 films from 1938 to 1965, including THE ADVENTURES OF DON JUAN (1949), THE ADVENTURES OF MARCO POLO (1938), GIANT (1956), THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (1965), RIO BRAVO (1959), SUNRISE AT CAMPOBELLO (1960), THAT HAMILTON WOMAN! (1941), and THE TIME, THE PLACE AND THE GIRL (1947). There are nearly two dozen sketches from the 1930s and 1940s that are unidentified. Rounding out the collection are sketches by two other designers: a Bob Mackie signed sketch for THE JUDY GARLAND SHOW, an unidentified sketch by Irene, Best's Academy Award statuette for THE ADVENTURES OF DON JUAN, and her certificates of nomination. Of special interest is a list compiled by Best that includes the film title, studio, date, and number of sketches she provided for nearly 90 films while employed by United Costumers.

Marjorie Best (1903-1997) was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, and later moved to Bloomington, Illinois. After graduating from high school in nearby Normal, Best moved to Los Angeles to attend the Chouinard Art Institute. Her first job as a designer was with the Western Costume Company, circa 1926, followed in the 1930s by United Costumers, Inc. In 1947, after Warner Bros. bought out United Costumers, she was offered a job in the wardrobe department and went on to become one of the studio's top costume designers, specializing in men's costumes and period films. Best won an Academy Award for costume design (color) for THE ADVENTURES OF DON JUAN (1949). She also received nominations for GIANT (1956), SUNRISE AT CAMPOBELLO (1960), and THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (1965).