American History

Rare Vintage Photos from the Golden Age of Hollywood

Trista - June 12, 2022

9. The wonderful wizard of hair.

Before we get to watch anything on the big screen, even influential classic films start from the ground up. Part of that process is deciding what their characters will look like, and that’s what we have here. Every inch is considered, from clothing designs to hairstyles, to what color it will be, and how long, curled, straight, braided, or natural. As we can see, Dorothy’s hair could have been much different from what we got on screen. Whether you’re a Doctor of Thinkology or a Good Deed Doer, we can all appreciate good character designs.

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8. Direction for a love triangle.

Not often do we get to see directors directly interacting with cast members. Still, in this candid photo, taken from Woman On The Beach, we can see Jean Renoir giving points and direction to Joan Bennett and Robert Ryan. Ryan plays a Coast Guard officer plagued with nightmares of a lonely, ghostly woman, and Bennett plays the wife of a blinded man who used to be a famous painter who mistakenly remarks that artists’ work is usually appreciated after they die. Together, they realize the bond they share that sets off a love triangle drama. Keep reading for more rare images from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

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7. Rhapsody of a classical pianist.

Sure, though the film was a musical and biography (albeit fictionalized version) of George Gershwin. But, Hazel Scott was no slouch on the ivory keys herself. A prodigy from a very young age, she could play anything she heard on piano and was even accepted as a student at the Juilliard School of Music at age eight. When she was old enough to start working in Hollywood, she was notoriously protective of her image by wearing her own clothing and jewelry. She also insisted in her contracts that she be given final cut privileges.

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6. A game viewed through the rear window.

Actors have very little time between sets and shots; however, sometimes, there is ample time to grab a match in one of the world’s oldest and most popular games. Here we see Grace Kelly observing thoughtfully as Wendell Cory makes a move and attacks the back row of Jimmy Steward’s game pieces, potentially hoping to promote his pawn to a Queen. Perhaps she went on to play the victor of the round. Unfortunately, we can never tell as this piece of cinema history has flown out the window.

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5. Banging the old drums.

Marlon Brando has been in so many classic films and TV shows that we couldn’t list them all if we tried. Many people discuss how many awards he won or his salacious personal life. Nevertheless, few people knew that he had a love for playing instruments, one of those being the bongo. If you know where to look, you can find many a tale or image of Brando seated behind the small drums playing passionately and with a rock and roll attitude about him. Before he started acting, Brando played the drums in the Cockatoo Club in New York City.

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4. Long gone, but not forgotten.

The Duke Steps Out, a story about a millionaire’s son who wishes to become a boxer, is considered one of the long-lost greats in Hollywood Silent film history. Sadly, the film itself has been missing for decades. All that is known to remain are still photos, the soundtrack and sound effects of the film, and known reviews from critics of the era. William Haines has several more popular movies until his firing from MGM due to his refusal to enter into a fake marriage to hide his relationship with his long-time partner Jimmy Shields.

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3. Not candy, but just as sweet.

This wonderful image was captured behind the curtain after a performance of Sugar Babies, a Broadway musical that Rooney had starred in, his first ever. The show was an immediate success and went on to have over 1,200 performances during its nearly three-year-long running time. The show was written as a “send-off to burlesque,” featuring Rooney singing, dancing, and performing in drag. It was nominated for a total of 8 Tony awards but did not win any. Keep reading for more rare images from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

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2. A golden view.

This now iconic film, Reflections In A Golden Eye, is based on the novel by Carson McCullers and was shot initially using a gold-tinted filter to give the movie a shading that would match the title. However, it was also eventually released in black and white, as well as in retinted color. Interestingly, to get Elizabeth Taylor on board, the studio had to hire Montgomery Clift; however, he tragically had a heart attack before filming. The role was then cast to Brando, but only after Richard Burton and Lee Marvin turned it down.

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1. Glaring side-eye or mistaken glance?

It all started as a party for Sophia Loren that was put together by movie-producing company Paramount almost 60 years ago. Still, Loren remembers it precisely as it was that day. The reason for that look was simply put – fear. Fear that Jayne Mansfield was about to “spill all over the table” in front of dozens of cameras. Everyone who was anyone from the cinema was there that day. However, Loren says she wants nothing to do with the picture and does not autograph it when asked, mainly out of respect for Jayne, who has since passed.

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