Ernst Dryden, born Ernst Deutsch in Vienna in 1883, became well known for his Secessionist-style advertising poster artwork in pre-First World War Europe, (he changed his name to Dryden in about 1918). By the mid-1920s Dryden diversified into the world of fashion, and in 1933, moved to Hollywood, though probably this had more to do with political events in Europe, than pursuit of his career. Dryden's move into costume design was a natural one, and in five years he worked on nine films including The Garden Of Allah, Lost Horizon, The Prisoner Of Zenda and The Devil's Playground.