15 Vintage Photos of American Actresses in Halloween Costumes

Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor

Nov 1, 2025 9:00 PM EDT

There is something timeless about a woman in a witch hat or cat costume. Maybe it's the simplicity, maybe it's the mystery, or maybe it's that both costumes only require a few accessories and some eyeliner to pull off. I have done both on multiple occasions when confronted with a last-minute costume party Or when a more ambitious costume idea completely fell through. Whatever the reason, these Halloween classics have endured nearly a century, and these vintage photos prove it.

From the 1920s through the 1960s, Hollywood's leading ladies donned sleek catsuits, posed in elegant witch costumes in front of crescent moons, and just, uh, sort of held a few pumpkins for studio photo shoots and costume parties. Halloween was definitely less about shock value back then than it is now. If you need a little inspiration for a simple yet sultry costume, look no further than the photo gallery down below!

01
American actress and singer Virginia Bruce, 1932

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02
Ann Rutherford serves up made to order Halloween pumpkins, ca. 1940s

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03
Anne Gwynne, 1941

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04
Anne Nagel, ca. 1940s

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05
Audrey Young as a black cat for Halloween, 1946

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06
Ava Gardner dressed as a witch, 1944

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07
Barbara Bates and Penny Edwards, 1950

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08
Barbara Bates, 1945

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09
Bessie Love, ca. 1920s

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10
Clara Bow, 1929

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11
Classic Hollywood actress Colleen Moore, ca. 1920s

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12
Classic Hollywood actress Myrna Loy, ca. 1930s

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13
Dorothy Dix in Halloween costumes, ca. 1930s

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14
Dusty Anderson as a black cat, 1945

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15
Joan Blondell in a cat costume, ca. 1930s

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