1955 Best Makeup Award-Faust - Zauder Brothers, Bill Zauder
1955 Most Original Single Costume- Gorilla, Mickey Weiss, First Nighter Formal Wear
1955 Most Original Idea Costume, Raggedy Ann & Andy, Elfriede Northrup and Nancy Todd
1957 Most Original Costume - Harry Palmer Jr
1957 Best Makeup- C. Arthur Landes
1958 Most Authentic Single - Murl Daniels
1958 Most Original Group - Mr & Mrs Malabar Winnipeg Canada
1958 Best Around the World Costume - Mickey Weiss, First Nighter Formal Wear
1958 Knock Yourself Out Costume - Fred Myers, Philadelphia PA
1950s Memorial Trophy given only in 1955
Editor's Note: This is the second in a series of articles about NCA's famous Grand International Award (and the related costume awards) written by Pam Markel, immediate past president. To read the previous article, click here.
The beginning of Memorial Judging began to take shape in the 1950’s. The “Bal Masque” costume contest had been born, yet there were numerous additional costumes that deserved recognition for their creative design and construction.
In February of 1959, fifteen red ribbons, called “Judges’ Awards” were given to specific costumes in the contest. From these fifteen ribbons, seven blue ribbons were presented to costumers as “President’s awards.” Out of these seven, three costumes would receive trophies, and the Grand International winner would evolve from them.
In the 1950s these special awards involved nine categories:
- Most Beautiful single costume
- Most Beautiful group costume
- Most Authentic single costume
- Most Authentic group costume
- Most Original single costume
- Most Original group costume
- Best Comic single costume
- Best Comic group costume
- Best Makeup
Even though these were the main categories for Memorial judging, two other areas of recognition were added in 1958; “Best Around the World Costume” and “Knock Yourself Out Costume.” I have seen no further mention of these categories after the 1950s.
We were distinctly surprised to find out that a “Comedy/Tragedy” trophy was given out to the Memorial Winners only in 1950. We believe that this trophy was donated.
By the 1960s the Memorial judging expanded from nine categories to sixteen. The following categories were added to the nine previous ones:
- Most Authentic copy single costume
- Most Authentic copy group costumes
- Most Creative Male costume
- Most Creative Female costume
- Most Creative Group costume
- Most Novel single costume
- Most Novel group costume
- Most Comic Single Male costume
- Most Comic Single Female costume
- Best costume by an Associate Member
These Memorial awards would continue to become more sophisticated and intricate as the 1960s evolved. However, with growth comes more rules and restrictions. You will see next month; how exciting and competitive these Memorial awards became.
Your Historians,
Past Presidents Dwayne Ibsen and Pamela Markel