The lost divas of 1930s and 1940s Hollywood are beautifully illustrated in John Kobal's book (1). Mary Pickford, Greta Garbo, Jean Harlow, Carole Lombard and other legendry figures. They were the most stunning beauties, and their personalities were even bigger. They lived in the lap of luxury that only money and prestige could buy. They were elegant and pompous, and in this book, the author has given the glamour portraits that show the style and beauty of these unforgettable women of Hollywood. These portraits could have donned the cover page of modern magazine like Vanity Fair, Elle, Vogue, GQ, etc., if these stars were active in Hollywood now.
Famous pairs like Clark Gable and Jean Harlow, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall are also seen in this book. Other portraits include; Gloria Swanson, Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Stanwyck, Bette Davis, Hedy Lamarr, Marion Davies, Irene Dunne, Ginger Rogers, Norma Shearer, Kathryn Hepburn, Rosalind Russell, Tallulah Bankhead, Buster Keaton, Robert Montgomery, Marlon Brando and many more.
The author discuses the style, fashion, and the technical side of the photography that essentially captured the mood and persona that generated the magical appeal for an average moviegoer. The job of the photographers those days were to treat their subjects as gods of love & allure, and reincarnation of perfection. Every care was taken to highlight the glazed lips parting seductively; poses that help expose the breasts, waved hair spilling over a bed of fur that came out of an exotic animal. They were iconic and movie bosses expected that they are to be adored and pictures collected like work of arts and follow their work in films. These were central to the idea of glamour pictures both from the point of the studio and also the leading ladies of Hollywood. Norma Shearer hired photographers like George Hurrell to portray her as sensual and sexy woman to earn more appealing roles in an industry that was fast becoming highly competitive place.
There are numerous poses to look and enjoy. My personal favorites are the pictures of Greta Garbo (1928 & 1931), Mary Pickford (1931), Jean Harlow (1932), Joan Crawford (1932), Marlene Dietrich (1934), Carole Lombard (1935), Mae West showing her beautiful legs (1932), Tallulah Bankhead in a pensive mood (1932), Ann Harding (1933), Miriam Hopkins (1932) and Greer Garson (1938). If you are a fan of 1930s movies.
Famous pairs like Clark Gable and Jean Harlow, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall are also seen in this book. Other portraits include; Gloria Swanson, Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Stanwyck, Bette Davis, Hedy Lamarr, Marion Davies, Irene Dunne, Ginger Rogers, Norma Shearer, Kathryn Hepburn, Rosalind Russell, Tallulah Bankhead, Buster Keaton, Robert Montgomery, Marlon Brando and many more.
The author discuses the style, fashion, and the technical side of the photography that essentially captured the mood and persona that generated the magical appeal for an average moviegoer. The job of the photographers those days were to treat their subjects as gods of love & allure, and reincarnation of perfection. Every care was taken to highlight the glazed lips parting seductively; poses that help expose the breasts, waved hair spilling over a bed of fur that came out of an exotic animal. They were iconic and movie bosses expected that they are to be adored and pictures collected like work of arts and follow their work in films. These were central to the idea of glamour pictures both from the point of the studio and also the leading ladies of Hollywood. Norma Shearer hired photographers like George Hurrell to portray her as sensual and sexy woman to earn more appealing roles in an industry that was fast becoming highly competitive place.
There are numerous poses to look and enjoy. My personal favorites are the pictures of Greta Garbo (1928 & 1931), Mary Pickford (1931), Jean Harlow (1932), Joan Crawford (1932), Marlene Dietrich (1934), Carole Lombard (1935), Mae West showing her beautiful legs (1932), Tallulah Bankhead in a pensive mood (1932), Ann Harding (1933), Miriam Hopkins (1932) and Greer Garson (1938). If you are a fan of 1930s movies.
1. Hollywood Glamor Portraits: 145 Photos of Stars, 1926-1949. John Kobal, Dover Publications; First Edition edition (July 1, 1976)
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