Editore: Columbia Pictures, Culver City, CA, 1947
Da: Royal Books, Inc., ABAA, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A.
Three vintage photographs of director Orson Welles from the 1947 film. Photographer's stamp on the versos, and two with mimeo snipes on the versos. Welles promised to write, produce, and direct a film for Columbia Pictures president Harry Cohn in exchange for an emergency $55,000 to help finance costuming for his 1946 Broadway musical "Around the World." The resultant film, based on Raymond Sherwood King's 1938 novel "If I Die Before I Wake," courted controversy, not least due to Welles' decision to have Hayes cut and bleach her iconic red hair for her performance. Although the film was a commercial failure in the US upon release, it is now considered a touchstone of the noir genre. Shot on location in Mexico. 8 x 10 inches. Near Fine. National Film Registry. Rosenbaum 1000. Selby US. Selby US Canon. Selby US Masterwork. Silver and Ward Classic Noir. Spicer US.
Editore: Columbia Pictures, Culver City, CA, 1947
Da: Royal Books, Inc., ABAA, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A.
Vintage press photograph of Rita Hayworth, Orson Welles, and the film's still photographer Robert Coburn on the set of 1947 film noir. Mimeograph snipe on the verso notes that here Welles and Coburn are discussing the Jean Louis clothing designs for the film with Ms. Hayworth. Shot by Van Pelt, with his stamp on the verso. 8 x 10 inches. In an archival mat. Near Fine.
Editore: Columbia Pictures, Culver City, CA, 1947
Da: Royal Books, Inc., ABAA, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A.
Archive of seven vintage single and double weight fashion publicity photographs from the 1947 film. Mimeograph snipe on the verso of a few photos notes the Jean Louis clothing designs for the film. Photographers' rubber stamp also to the versos. Based on the 1938 novel "If I Die Before I Wake" by Sherwood King. Surreal and visually stunning, The Lady from Shanghai tells a quintessential film noir tale of moral chaos, reaching its climax with a shootout in an abandoned hall of mirrors. The collection features photographs of leading lady Rita Hayworth in various stylish outfits, and sporting the controversial short blonde hairstyle that soon-to-be ex-husband Orson Welles forced her to accept for the role. Robert Coburn, who photographed all but one of the images in this collection, was one of the most influential portrait photographers employed by movie studios from the 1930s to 1960s, with his most famous portraits immortalizing Hollywood's greatest icons and helping to define the era as the Golden Age of Cinema. In 1940, Coburn began a twenty-year career with Columbia Pictures as the head of the still production department and the studio's chief portrait photographer for many landmark films including "Picnic", "Gilda", and "The Big Heat." Set in California, New York, and Mexico, and shot there on location. 8 x 10 inches. Near Fine to Fine condition. Grant US Classic Noir. Selby US Masterwork. Spicer US. Silver & Ward Classic Noir.