The 26th Academy Awards

Actor Donald O’Connor introduced Elizabeth and husband Michael Wilding as they graced the Academy Awards stage on March 25, 1954 to present the two awards for “distinctive achievement in documentary productions”. Walt Disney took home both: The Alaskan Eskimo was named the year’s best Documentary (Short Subject) and The Living Desert came out tops in the Documentary (Feature) category.

For Hollywood’s most glamorous night, Elizabeth wore a gown called “Ask Your Mirror” by the fashion house of Sorelle Fontana (the Fontana Sisters). She paired the white dress, made of “vaperous” voile and embellished with semi-precious stones and rose and silver embroidery, with a beautiful necklace given to her by Michael, which, decades later, she would present to their granddaughter, Laela, on her wedding day.

The 26th Academy Awards were held at Hollywood’s RKO Pantages Theatre and the NBC Century Theater in New York.