Bogart, Dietrich, Keaton: faces from Hollywood’s golden years – in pictures

A new book pulls together glamorous portraits of film stars from the 1920s to the 60s who could draw an audience with their name alone

Main image: ‘She sizzled’ … Marlene Dietrich in the film Shanghai Express Photograph: Don English/John Kobal Foundation

  • Clara Bow, the original ‘It Girl’, 1928

    A new book brings together portraits taken by leading Hollywood photographers during the film industry’s golden years of 1920 to 1960. Authors Robert Dance and Simon Crocker talk us through the images: ‘Clara Bow (1905-1965) was one of the first sex goddesses in the modern sense of the word. She was young, beautiful, carefree, and her roles – Free to Love, Fascinating Youth and It (where she was the original “It” girl) – reflected the attitude of youth during the roaring 20s.’ Fabulous Faces of Classic Hollywood is published by ACC Art Books
    Clara Bow, the original ‘It Girl’, 1928Crocker and Dance “Clara Bow was one of the first sex goddesses in the modern sense of the word. She was young, beautiful, carefree, and her roles – Free to Love, Fascinating Youth, and most importantly It (where she was the original “It” girl) – reflected perfectly the attitude of youth during the roaring twenties”All photographs: The John Kobal Foundation

  • Clark Gable, a suitable star, 1930

    This book takes us on a nostalgic wander through an age when movie stars were giants. William Clark Gable (1901-1960) was often referred to as the ‘King of Hollywood’, with his most famous role being that of Rhett Butler in Gone With the Wind
    Clark Gable, A Suitable Star, 1930William Clark Gable was Often referred to as the “King of Hollywood”,American actor Clark Gable (1901 - 1960), whose most famous role was that of Rhett Butler in ‘Gone With The Wind’. (

  • Anna May Wong, Hollywood headgear, 1931

    Chinese-American film star, Anna May Wong, wearing an outlandish headdress. ‘Anna May Wong’s (1905 - 1961) beauty and style were little recognised during her working years in the late 1920s and 1930s where Hollywood relegated her to exotic secondary roles. There were few parts for Asian actors, but Wong claimed a few, such as supporting Dietrich at Paramount in Shanghai Express. Only recently has Wong become an important emblem of early 20th-century glamour, thanks to the many extraordinary portraits of her that survive’
    Anna May Wong, Hollywood Headgear, 1931Chinese-American film star, Anna May Wong wearing an outlandish headdress.“Anna May Wong’s beauty and style was little recognized during her working years in the late 1920s and 1930s where Hollywood relegated her to exotic secondary roles. There were few parts for Asian actors, but Wong claimed a few such as supporting Dietrich at Paramount in Shanghai Express. Only recently has Wong become an important emblem of early 20th Century glamour, thanks to the many extraordinary portraits of her that survive”.

  • Buster Keaton, 1932

    Buster Keaton was, along with Charlie Chaplin, one of the giants of film comedy. His greatest work was when he was producing for himself, and his 1920s comedies (The Navigator, 1924 and The General, 1926) are at the pinnacle of the genre. In 1928 he joined MGM and had one brilliant success, The Cameraman. After that it was a series of mediocre films. He described the move to MGM as the greatest mistake of his life
    Buster Keaton, 1932 Buster Keaton was, along with Charlie Chaplin, one of the giants of film comedy. His greatest work was when he was producing for himself, and his 1920s comedies (The Navigator, 1924 and The General, 1926) are at the pinnacle of the genre. In 1928 he joined MGM and had one brilliant success, The Cameraman. After that it was a series of mediocre films. He described the move to MGM as the greatest mistake of his life

  • The Marx Brothers (Groucho, Harpo and Chico), 1935

    Little-seen negatives, long buried in the archives of the John Kobal Foundation, have been unearthed to reveal Hollywood’s favourite stars at the height of their careers. Of this image, Dance and Crocker say: ‘After a run of box office successes at Paramount, the Marx Brothers fell out of favour. MGM’s Irving Thalberg rescued their career but insisted on stronger story structures that made their characters more sympathetic. The result was their masterpiece, A Night at the Opera’
    The Marx Bros, MGM, 1935 Little-seen negatives, long buried in the remarkable and internationally renowned archives of the John Kobal Foundation, have been unearthed and printed to reveal some of Hollywood’s favourite stars at the height of their careers.The Marx Brothers, (from left to right) Groucho (1890 - 1977), Harpo (1888 - 1964) and Chico (1887 - 1961)R&S “After a run of box office successes at Paramount, including Monkey Business, Duck Soup and Horsefeathers, the Marx Bros fell out of favour. Irving Thalberg, Head of Production at MGM, rescued their career but insisted on stronger story structures that made their characters more sympathetic. The result was the film widely perceived as their masterpiece, A Night at The Opera. Ted Allan here captures their freewheeling anarchy to perfection.

  • Carole Lombard, in Supernatural, 1933

    ‘Lombard (1908-1942) was a year away from breaking through as a major star in Howard Hawks’ Twentieth Century when this portrait was taken. Her intense gaze captures your attention. One of the first stars who specialised in a new type of film – screwball comedy – she soon established herself as its queen. Sadly, her life and career were cut short when she died in an air crash in 1942. Her untimely death may be why she is not remembered today in the same vein as Dietrich and Hepburn and other stars of the period’
    Carole Lombard, in Supernatural 1933, Paramount,”Lombard (1908 - 1942) was a year away from breaking through as a major star in Howard Hawk’s Twentieth Century when this portrait was taken. Her intense gaze captures your attention. One of the first stars who specialized in a new type of film – screwball comedy – she soon established herself as its queen. Sadly, her life and career were cut short when she died in an air crash in 1942. Her untimely death may be why she is not remembered today in the same vein as Dietrich and Hepburn and other stars of the period.

  • Humphrey Bogart, for The Petrified Forest, 1936

    Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957) plays ruthless outlaw Duke Mantee in The Petrified Forest. ‘This portrait was taken for Bogart’s breakthrough movie after several years of minor roles. Its success led to a long-term contract with Warner Bros, and by the early 1940s he starred in many landmark films such as The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca. Here he is captured as the world remembers him, one of the most memorable tough guys of the movies, and now a cultural icon’
    Humphrey Bogart, for The Petrified Forest, 1936, Humphrey Bogart (1899 - 1957) plays ruthless outlaw Duke Mantee in ‘The Petrified Forest’This portrait was taken for Bogart’s breakthrough movie after several years of minor roles. Its success led to a long-term contract with Warner Bros, and by the early 1940s he starred in many landmark films such as The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca. Here he is captured as the world remembers him, one of the most memorable tough guys of the movies, and now a cultural icon

  • Ginger Rogers, for Shall We Dance, 1937

    ‘Ginger Rogers (1911-1995) and Fred Astaire were the pinnacle of glamour, romance and pure grace as they danced in a series of memorable and hugely successful films. But Ginger was also a skilled actress and later took dramatic roles. This artful portrait was part of this transformation which ended with her 1941 best actress Oscar for Kitty Foyle’
    Ginger Rogers, in Shall We Dance, 1937American dancer and actress Ginger Rogers (1911 - 1995) Ginger Rogers (1911 - 1995) and Fred Astaire were the pinnacle of glamour, romance and pure grace as they danced in a series of memorable and hugely successful films. But Ginger was also a skilled actress and later took dramatic roles. This artful portrait was part of this transformation which ended with her 1941 Best Actress Oscar for Kitty Foyle.

  • Marlene Dietrich, in Shanghai Express, 1932

    ‘Paramount was searching for a glamorous rival to Greta Garbo and found her in Marlene Dietrich. Dietrich (1901-1992) sizzled in a series of films during the early 1930s all directed by Josef von Sternberg. She was also Paramount’s greatest portrait subject and posed dozens of times creating a body of magnificent photographs that have come to define the studio’s style’
    Marlene Dietrich, in Shanghai Express, 1932Paramount was searching for a glamorous rival to Garbo and found her in Marlene Dietrich. Dietrich (1901 - 1992) sizzled in a series of films during the early 1930s all directed by Josef von Sternberg. She was also Paramount’s greatest portrait subject and posed dozens of times creating a body of magnificent photographs that have come to define the studio’s style.

  • Lena Horne, for Till the Clouds Roll By, 1946

    ‘Lena Horne was a top musical star and became the first African American performer to feature in films produced by a major Hollywood studio (MGM), Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather. She also had important featured roles in other films of the mid-1940s. Her Hollywood tenure was brief, and by the 1950s she returned to night clubs and finally became a major star of the concert stage’
    Lena Horne, for Till’ The Clouds Roll By 1946Lena Horne was a top musical performer and became the first African America performer to star in films produced by a major Hollywood studio (MGM), Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather, and she had important featured roles in other films of the mid-1940s. Her Hollywood tenure was brief, and by the 1950s she returned to night clubs and finally became a major star of the concert stage.

  • Dennis Hopper, 1955

    Dennis Hopper was one of the last actors signed to an old-fashioned studio contract. He joined Warner Bros in 1955 when this portrait was taken, and had small parts in Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Giant (1956). His first leading role was in 1961, but he didn’t become an international star until 1969 when he made Easy Rider
    Dennis Hopper.,1955 Dennis Hopper was one of the last actors signed to an old-fashioned studio contract. He joined Warner Bros. in 1955 when this portrait was taken, and had small parts in Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Giant (1956). His first leading role was in 1961, but he didn’t become an international star until 1969 when he made Easy Rider

  • Jane Russell, for The French Line. 1953

    American actress Jane Russell (1921-2011) has her picture taken by Ernest Bachrach to publicise the 3D musical comedy The French Line
    Jane Russell, for The French Line. 1954American actress Jane Russell has her picture taken by Ernest Bachrach.jpg to publicise the 3D musical comedy ‘The French Line’, directed by Lloyd Bacon. (Photo via John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images)

  • Gloria Swanson, 1934

    ‘Why are 1930s icons Crawford, Garbo, Hepburn, Harlow, and Davis still worthy of discussion decades after they stopped working? What made them “fabulous faces” whose reputations endure to this day? Each generation chooses the faces they want to view on the screen. Would 1920s headliners Mary Pickford, known for her innocence and curly hair, and Gloria Swanson, the first glamorous screen siren, become legendary stars if each began her career today? Probably not. Stars, like books and fashion, reflect a moment in time. Every era considers itself modern and stylish’
    Gloria Swanson, 1934
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