The glamor of Old Hollywood

 

 

Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Judy Garland One of the largest collections of old Hollywood photographs has been gone up for auction this week. Guernsey's auction house in New York is holding a two day sale from April 6-7 to sell the Movie Star News Collection of three million photographs and negatives that capture the history of Tinseltown. The pictures were captured by Irving Klaw, a Manhattan photographer who was the first to tap into the public's insatiable demand for movie photographing. Mr Klaw, a candy shop owner by trade, branched into the photography business in 1939 and negotiated a deal with movie studios to capture scenes of famous faces on movie sets. He captured the most celebrated figures from old Hollywood including Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn and Paul Newman. The collection of pictures of Marilyn Monroe includes more than 600 photographs of the screen siren. Some like it hot: Marilyn Monroe smiles broadly for the cameras as she enjoys a night out on the town Crowd favorite: Marilyn Monroe entertains the troops in Korea Dynasty: Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra (1963) Palling around: Natalie Wood and James Dean in Rebel without a cause (1955) Dame Taylor: The stunning Elizabeth Taylor poses for a close up glamor shot Style: Elizabeth Taylor in a publicity photo for A Place in the Sun (1951) Sexy: Marilyn Monroe Wardrobe Test Photograph   A girl's best friend: Marilyn Monore 'gets a costume adjustment' on set (left) and tries out difference outfits and is photographed for The Sleeping Prince (right) Stud: James Dean in Giant (1956) Screen god: Orson Welles 'smokes a stogie' The legend: Fay Wray in a scene from King Kong Damsel in distress: Fay Wray in a scene from King Kong Swoon: Fay Wray in a scene from King Kong   Starlets: Elizabeth Taylor's glamor photo (left) and a head shot of Judy Garland from The Wizard of Oz (right) America's Sweetheart: Judy Garland in a 1940's Armed Services promotional photo, Take A Serviceman Home for Thanksgiving Stunning: Marilyn Monroe with Richard Widmark in a publicity photograph for Don't Bother to Knock (1952) Oh! Miss Scarlett: Vivian Leigh in Gone With the Wind (1939) Gorgeous: Vivian Leigh in Gone With the Wind How tiresome: Vivian Leigh in Gone With the Wind   There's no place like home: Ray Bolger as The Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz (left) and Bert Lahr as The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz (right) Gotta have heart: The Villagers 'oil' The Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz

A new photo book sheds light on the life of Audrey Hepburn during the prime of her career, capturing her behind-the-scenes on set as well as in the privacy of her home. Bob Willoughby's Audrey Hepburn features 280 pages filled with photographs of the late Hollywood icon, from her arrival in Hollywood in 1953 until 1966, three years after she shot to fame in My Fair Lady. In one of the more intimate images, Hepburn is seen doting on her baby son Sean, who was born in 1960, as her The Children's Hour co-star James Garner smiles in the background. Scroll down for video +16 Behind-the-scenes: A new book features rarely seen candid photos of Audrey Hepburn from 1953 to 1966. (Pictured: Sean, Audrey's son by Mel Ferrer, plays with his mother while actor James Garner beams) +16 Downtime: The portraits were all taken by the late Hollywood photographer Bob Willoughby, her friend and confidante. (Pictured: The actress at the villa the Ferrers rented while shooting Paris When It Sizzles) Sean, whose father was Hepburn's first husband Mel Ferrer, giggles from his crib as his glamorous mother laughs with him. Another photo shows the actress reclining against a tree beside a pond, which was located at the villa that the Ferrers rented while shooting 1964 film Paris When It Sizzles. Sporting her signature short bangs, Hepburn wears a knee-length pink skirt and white shirt and looks demurely at the camera, her bare feet planted on the tree trunk. The portraits in the book, which hits stores in September costs $54 on Amazon, were all taken by the late Hollywood photographer Bob Willoughby, who passed away in 2009. +16 Everyday life: Hepburn takes her pet fawn Pippa or 'Ip' shopping in Gelson's supermarket, in Beverly Hills +16 Keeping fit: She wore a striking red leotard to do some exercising and stretching in the garden +16 Interactions: In one particularly striking photo, she is seen looking downcast with her Green Mansions co-star Anthony Perkins, who is seemingly attempting to cheer her up He said of meeting the Belgian-born star for the first time: 'She took my hand like… well a princess, and dazzled me with that smile that God designed to melt mortal men's hearts.' From that first encounter, the pair became fast friends, and Willoughby was often at her side to capture her at her most candid moments. He even snapped a photo of her shopping at a Beverly Hills grocery store with her pet fawn Ip, whom she met on the set of 1959's Green Mansions, directed by her then-husband Mel Ferrer. Timeless beauty: Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's +16 Close comrades: Hepburn pictured with Bob Willoughby, who passed away in 2009 +16 Enraptured: Willoughby said of meeting the star (pictured in 1953) for the first time: 'She took my hand like... well a princess, and dazzled me with that smile that God designed to melt mortal men's hearts' +16 Getting in character: Hepburn grins as she greets the international press, who were invited to attend the first day of shooting of My Fair Lady +16 Classic beauty: The star wears striking earrings during a photo session at Paramount Studios in 1953 'Beverly Hills habitués are fairly blasé about what they see, but Audrey being followed around town by this lovely creature stopped everyone in their tracks,' the photographer once said of her unusual pet. Willoughby also captured her interacting with her co-stars while shooting her movies, revealing aspects of her personality rarely seen in pictures. In one particularly striking photo, she is seen looking downcast while sitting on a camera boom with her Green Mansions co-star Anthony Perkins, who is seemingly attempting to cheer her up. +16 At work: Here she chats with director George Kukor on the set of My Fair Lady while Assam, her Yorkshire terrier, sits in the basket of the bike she used to cycle around the studio grounds +16 On set: The actress pictured in a still from one of her most famous films, My Fair Lady +16 Fashion sense: She wears a dress designed for her by Givenchy while reclining on a bed in Paris When It Sizzles +16 Captivating: Hepburn pictured flaunting her famous doe eyes in a still from Paris When It Sizzles And another behind-the-scenes photo sees her chatting with director George Kukor on the set of My Fair Lady. While the pair converse, Assam, her Yorkshire terrier, sits in the basket of the bike the actress used to cycle around the studio grounds. Willoughby, who was credited by Popular Photography as 'the man who virtually invented the photojournalistic motion picture still,' shot many stars in his career, including Judy Garland, Marilyn  Monroe, Natalie Wood and James Dean. +16 Picture perfect: Willoughby, who shot many stars in his career including Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe and Natalie Wood, was known to consider Hepburn (pictured in 1953) his favorite +16 Popular subject: The star climbs into the Paramount Studios car waiting to return her to the hotel after a photo session with photographer Bud Fraker +16 Muse: Willoughby is pictured examining a still of Audrey Hepburn But above them all, he was known to consider Hepburn as his unequivocal favorite. 'As Hepburn's career soared following her Oscar-winning US debut in Roman Holiday, Willoughby became a trusted friend, framing her working and home life,' reads a description of the book. His historic, perfectionist, tender photographs seek out the many facets of Hepburn's beauty and elegance, as she progresses from her debut to her career high of My Fair Lady in 1963. 'Willoughby's studies, showing her on set, preparing for a scene, interacting with actors and directors, and returning to her private life, comprise one of photography's great platonic love affairs and an unrivalled record of one of the 20th century's touchstone beauties.'     The real tragic love of Audrey Hepburn's life - how Hollywood star cried 'like a hurt child' when lover Bill Holden refused to have children then returned to his wife Hepburn and Holden filmed romantic comedy Sabrina together in 1954 and she fell madly in love with him Their chemistry on-screen was matched by their romance off it and Hepburn knew he was the love of her life Holden was married and invited Hepburn to meet his wife Ardis like he did with other mistresses - but she sensed that this was different Hepburn begged Holden to leave his wife and have children with her - but his answer was the cruelest blow: he had had a vasectomy Heartbroken, Hepburn ended the relationship and accepted a proposal from Mel Ferrer But new book details final humiliation for her: studio insisted engagement was announced at Holden's marital home As she arrived at the Georgian-style villa in Hollywood designed by noted architect Paul Williams, Audrey Hepburn had good reason to be nervous. Inside was not just her boyfriend who she was madly in love with - his wife was there waiting to meet her too. Bill Holden, her co-star in the 1954 romantic comedy Sabrina, had asked her round to meet Ardis as he had done with many of his previous mistresses. The mother of his three children, Ardis had long learned to look the other way so long as Holden came home to her each night. But with Hepburn, Ardis sensed something different – and she was scared.   +17 Chemistry: A publicity still from Sabrina which was intended to emphasize their on-screen chemistry. But what those watching the movie did not know was how deeply Audrey Hepburn and William Holden had fallen in love +17 Love: As their on-screen relationship sizzled, so too did their off-screen romance. It was intense, and Holden's wife knew that this time she had a fight on her hands for her husband, who had strayed before +17 Couple: William Holden and his wife Ardis pictured together. Hepburn was a 'wife's worst nightmare' – a cultured beauty who was well spoken and had completely entranced her husband. +17 Triangle: The posters promoted the love triangle at the center of Sabrina. Behind the scenes was Audrey Hepburn's greatest love According to a new book about their affair, Hepburn was a 'wife's worst nightmare' – a cultured beauty who was well spoken and had completely entranced her husband. It didn't take Ardis long to realize what she had to do; as soon as they closed the front door and waved her goodbye 'the gloves came off and (she) went into attack mode', author Edward Epstein writes. In no uncertain terms she gave him an ultimatum and 'demanded that Bill stop seeing that woman'. It was a demand he would ignore, but the relationship would come to an end weeks later for a reason that would break Hepburn's heart - and leave her feeling utterly betrayed. Epstein recounts the episode in 'Audrey and Bill' which describes in detail her little-told affair with Holden for the first time. He explains how they fell in love despite disapproval from Hepburn's mother and having come from completely different backgrounds. He was the son of a schoolteacher and an industrial chemist from small town Illinois who had only just found fame a few years earlier with his roles in Sunset Boulevard and Stalag 17. She was the daughter of European nobility, a symbol of fashion who had beaten Elizabeth Taylor for her role in Roman Holiday, which earned her the Best Actress Oscar. At the time filming of Sabrina was due to start, Hepburn, who grew up in England, had recently broken off her engagement to James Hanson, the wealthy British industrialist and a member of the House of Lords, a parting which Epstein describes as 'unpleasant'. She had moved to Los Angeles where she became the toast of the dinner party circuit where media mogul Jules Stein threw a party for her at his mansion, an unheard of honor for a newcomer. Holden was 'obsessive' about meeting Hepburn, Epstein writes, and he rightly pegged her as someone who wanted the man to make the first move – which he duly did. Things progressed quickly and blossomed into 'all-out passion' and their on-screen chemistry spilled over into the dressing room. Hepburn saw Holden as her 'guardian angel' and a 'red blooded American male'. +17 Irony: Sabrina saw Audrey Hepburn play the woman at the center of a love triangle with Humphrey Bogart (left) and William Holden (right). In fact, Holden was the center of the real-life triangle between her and his wife +17 Golden age: Audrey Hepburn rose to the heights at the peak of Hollywood's power and glamor. +17 Reunited: Paris When It Sizzles in 1964 put the couple back together but it was a flop - the fireworks between them were long gone and the critics cruelly dubbed it 'Paris When It Fizzles' Holden saw Hepburn as his 'ultimate prima ballerina' – she had studied the dance in her youth and her posture showed she had been classically trained. He took her out for dinner most evenings after filming or to out of the way spots where they shared romantic walks. Holden would later call her 'the love of my life'. Epstein writes: 'The couple shared an emotional intimacy that precluded words. One smile from him and she knew she was understood'. Miraculously they managed to keep their affair out of the tabloid newspapers, even though they were caught in an intimate moment when a member of the Sabrina crew barged into Holden's dressing room without knocking. Had it become public it would have been catastrophic for Hepburn – her Cinderella image would have been ruined and she would have been labelled a home wrecker. But that did not mean she would avoid meeting Ardis, a former actress whose stage name was Brenda Marshall and who was close friends with Nancy Reagan. Holden set up the meeting and when Hepburn laid eyes on her rival she was 'impressed', Epstein writes. +17 Facade: William Holden and his wife Ardis Ankerson. She knew that he strayed but had passed off previous mistresses as un-threatening - until she met Hepburn +17 lacking magic: Paris When It Sizzles was supposed to capture the same romantic fervor as Sabrina, but it flopped as the chemistry was gone +17 Memory: Publicity stills of Paris When It Sizzles showed Audrey Hepburn and William Holden together and hinted at the passion between them +17 Marriage: Unable to contemplate a childless union with Holden, Hepburn married Mel Ferrer. The couple are seen together in 1961 In Hepburn's eyes Ardis was 'beautiful; the role of injured wife did not suit her.' Epstein says: 'But the beautiful Ardis brought out the competitive spirit in Audrey. Hepburn held her head high, gave out one of her killer smiles and said: 'Oh, I'm so happy to meet you'. 'Ardis' heart must have frozen at the sight of her – here was this radiant creature, fifteen years younger than she, who wasn't merely beautiful but had unique qualities of class and an almost spiritual grace. 'The others Bill had brought home were beautiful, but not like this; this she was not prepared for. 'Unlike many Hollywood beauties away from the camera Audrey even had a beautiful speaking voice! There was nothing strident or uncultured in this package. She was a wife's worst nightmare, and to compound matters, she seemed like a nice person.' Over the evening Ardis saw that 'there was much more going on' that with her husband's previous liaisons – a realization that made her demand they stop seeing each other. Holden and Hepburn's affair did end, but it was over the issue of children, not his wife's wishes. Epstein writes that during their time together Hepburn spoke 'often' of having children and that she wanted three or four babies so that she could retire from acting to raise them. He writes: 'Once while chatting brightly about the names of their future children, suddenly an embarrassed smile, tinged with fear, crept into Bill's face. 'He told her that the one thing, the only thing they could not have together, was children. He would recall the fixed expression in her eyes; how she stood looking at him like a hurt, bewildered child.' Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn & Gregory Peck +17 Unforgettable: The role that came to define Audrey Hepburn was Breakfast At Tiffany's but it came many years after her romance with Holden, which she was to say was the greatest of her life +17 Hollywood couple: Nancy and Ronald Regan with Bill and Ardis Holden, on left, after the Reagan's wedding at the Holden's house in Toluca Lake, California, 1952. Epstein writes how Hepburn's eyes 'searched his face' as he explained that he had undergone a vasectomy some years earlier at his wife's urging. Hepburn's reaction was one of shock. She could not believe he had waited until now to tell her this. Holden hoped she would not hate him but the 'trusting, simple part of their relationship' was gone. Epstein writes that Hepburn 'ended their affair on the spot' – she felt that she had no other choice. At that point Mel Ferrer re-entered her life. Hepburn was pleased to see the troubled actor and director because his 'attentiveness and sense of romantic urgency' was the perfect tonic to Holden. Ferrer already had four children from previous relationships but he convinced Hepburn she would be the focus of his life. He was from a better background than Holden as well and his father was a well known Cuban American surgeon. Hepburn knew she was at a weak point in her life but went along with it anyway, and accepted when he proposed. But before the wedding she faced one final indignity. To put any rumors to bed about her and Holden, Paramount, the studio to which she was signed, decided to stage an evening at Holden's house during which Hepburn would announce her engagement to Ferrer. Timeless beauty: Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's +17 Beauty: Hepburn was known for her looks but it was her personality which made Holden's wife fear her +17 Scene: The love triangle movie Sabrina was publicized with pictures of Hepburn and Holden together +17 Style: The immaculately dressed and tailored Hollywood couple epitomized its golden era - but behind the scenes an affair was playing out, ultimately doomed by his inability to have children with her +17 With Holden and his wife present, what clearer sign could there be that nothing had been going on? Epstein writes that, as one would imagine, conversation was somewhat 'forced'. He writes: 'A synthetic cordiality filled the room. Audrey's eyes avoided Bill's. His bloodshot eyes underscored his angst. He was clearly a man carrying a torch'. In later years Hepburn and Holden would look back on their time together by marveling at the innocence of it all, and how unencumbered by life's burdens they were. Hepburn had a son with Ferrer, her first of her two husbands. He sacrificed his own career for hers but became her tormentor because he was so jealous about her success. Hepburn became a screen legend thanks to her iconic role in Breakfast at Tiffany's, but suffered a huge backlash after being cast in the title role for My Fair Lady because many felt it belonged to Julie Andrews. Holden eventually did divorce Ardis and dated French actress Capucine before she ended their relationship due to his long-standing alcohol problem. He also saw tragedy too and killed another driver with Ferrari in Tuscany, a scandal for which he was given an eight month suspended prison sentence. Holden and Hepburn were reunited on screen in Paris When it Sizzles which was released in 1964 after spending years on the cutting room floor. But critics dubbed it 'Paris when it fizzles' because by then the magic between the two of them was gone – even on the silver screen.

The real Jessica Rabbit: 1950s It girl with her daring backless dresses inspired sultry style of cartoon character She was the 1950s It girl who turned heads with her daring dresses, but model and actress Vicki Dougan has another claim to fame as the muse for cartoon pin up Jessica Rabbit. But just as Jessica Rabbit lamented 'I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way,' Dougan's infamous style was also not of her doing. The struggling actress was propelled to fame thanks to a Hollywood publicist who commissioned a series of provocative backless dresses for Dougan. Dare to bare: Vicki Dougan attracted lots of attention thanks to her backless dresses Pin up: The model, seen here in Los Angeles in 1956, went on to do Playboy photo shoots The plunging designs got plenty of media coverage for the starlet, especially after she was thrown out of a preview party for attracting too much attention. She was even nicknamed 'The Back' thanks to her outrageous dresses that she wore on every occasion, according to Messy Nessy Chic. While actresses Veronica Lake is also credited as being behind the creation of the animated leading lady in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Dougan's famous style is apparent in the character's sultry look and revealing outfits. A 1957 article in the Oakland Tribune reveals how Dougan's style was all part of a carefully crafted image created for her by Milton Weiss. Daring: Dougan was known for her backless dresses and was nicknamed 'The Back' Inspiration: Dougan is said to be behind Jessica Rabbit's look Back in demand: The signature style made Dougan the talk of the town Style icon: A Hollywood publicist's vision helped bring fame to Dougan, seen here in 1957. 'His first move was to have three expensive dresses made for her - without backs. He then titled his client “The Back” and had her appear at previews and parties in her plunging creations. 'Soon local photographers zeroed in on Miss Dougan’s bare spinal column, and gagsters began originating such cracks as, “Vikki Dougan makes the best exits in town".' The Brooklyn born starlet went on to appear in a 1957 issue of Playboy and she was often featured in the press. Her outfits became so legendary that when a 1957 interviewer asked her what her latest backless design will feature, she laughed "Me",' according to Glamor Girls of the Silver Screen. However, by 1959 she had fading into obscurity and would have stayed there had it not been for the 1989 film Who Filmed Roger Rabbit. Cover girl: Vicki Dougan rose to fame thanks to her Hollywood makeover Fame: Dougan worked as a model and actress in the 1950s Rising star: The aspiring actress, who appeared in Tunnel of Love, was helped to fame thanks to her daring dress sense A photographer who spent the early 1970s snapping Hollywood’s most famous figures on the red carpet is now showing his collection for the first time and proving that celebrities were truly glitzier and more glamorous in the days before digital. In Red Carpet Press Pass, Robert Cumming portrays a Tinseltown that predates Photoshop and Botox, one where celebrities had only their magnetism and star quality to help them stand out on the red carpet. It was also a world where red carpets themselves were hardly the daily affair they are today. ‘By devious means,’ Cumming writes, he was able to get a toehold in the then-exclusive paparazzi world, ‘concluding with two Golden Globes and two Academy Award ceremonies.’ ‘Forty years later, awakening in a new millennium, the medium of the digital print is a better way of displaying this work,’ writes Cumming. His photo exhibition—only one of which has been seen in print before—is showing at Janet Borden Inc. in New York City. Cumming’s photos put 1970s glamor on full display and force viewers to wonder if today’s dime a dozen Kardashian style celebrity world can possibly stand up to the Hollywood enchantment of yesteryear. Days before digital: Robert Cumming's Red Carpet Press Pass collection shows Hollywood glitz as it can only come through on film, a world before infinite hard drive space when a special shot like this of Dionne Warwick really meant something Special: In Cumming's 1970s, red carpets weren't the dime a dozen events they are today. When big names of the day like John Travolta came out, people paid attention 'By devious means,' Cumming writes, he found his way into the paparazzi world, one that would not recognize the troubled starlet chasing celebrity photographers of today. Here, Barbra Streisand his helped out of a limo Before Lady Gaga: The glamor of the 1970s also included singer Cher dressed as a Native American princess during her Half Breed days Camaraderie: In 1977, Rocky won the Academy Award for Best Picture, though writer and star Sylvester Stallone did not take home an Oscar of his own. Here, he feigns like he did along with some cohorts who actually won statues Ceremony: Cumming caught on film the glamor at two Golden Globe ceremonies and two Academy Awards. Here, Faye Dunaway holds the Oscar after being names the best actress for 1976's Network Shade: Puffing on a cigarette, living legend Jack Nicholson. has trouble blending into the crowd in dark sunglasses and characteristic smirk Shining: Farrah Fawcett was a megastar in the dazzle days of 1970s Hollywood and had the gold lame dresses to prove it. Fawcett died from cancer in 2009 Never before seen: Only this image of Richard Burton has been publicly shown before, and was only included in a portfolio with other California photographers Ambiance: In Cumming's Hollywood days, even future presidents attended Tinseltown galas. Here, the Gipper arrives to a star-studded event 'Forty years later,' writes Cumming, 'awakening in a new millennium, the medium of the digital print is a better way of displaying this work.' Here, Mary Tyler Moore shows beams in her 70s glamorous style Here, Olivia Newton John poses for a photo while Cumming takes her photo while posing. This sort of behind-behind the scenes look at Hollywood was far less common than in today's industry Stars: Here, Mae West gushes to a gentleman friend. Many of the celebrities of Cumming's Hollywood are revered as legends today, with not a reality star in sight Confidence: Here, Kirk Douglas displays the machismo of a true Hollywood patriarch. Cumming writes that his main interest as a photographer living in the Golden State was anything 'peculiar to California.' This includes Hollywood, of course Cult actress, one time stripper and John Waters muse Liz Renay appears in Cumming's collection, amid more notable stars The cuts of the dresses, the plush chinchilla coat, and the gentleman's tie mark this photo as classically 1970s

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