Finally found the probable origin of that B.S. “the dress was too tight to sit down” story in regard to those Dinner at Eight pictures which show Harlow on a leaning board. Now I can close my case. From Schickel’s “The Stars”, 1962:
Contrary to popular belief, Harlow could sit down just fine (and was not sewn into the dress). In fact, there are many, many, examples of classical Hollywood stars using them. As Harlow stated herself, in 1933, leaning boards were used for continuity purposes and to keep costumes creaseless. I’ve shared this before awhile back and frequently since. From Wood Soanes:
“I don’t think it will be that bad,” the professional siren laughed in a fashion that resembled more a schoolgirl’s giggle than a vampire’s silky chortle. “You see, at a real dinner it wouldn’t matter much whether the dress were creased or not, after you made your first appearance in the drawing room.
After the party you could have it pressed again. But we’ve been several days on this one scene and have shot various times at the party, so I must keep it creaseless each day. It would look silly, and all you critics would complain bitterly, if I stepped into the room with my dress all wrinkled and a second later it was transformed into a smooth garment, only to blossom out in new creases a moment later. Anyway, I’ll be glad to get out of it. We should be finished with the picture in another day or so, and I’m going out after tuna.”
Harlow Heaven 