Contact Sheets from the Sets of Some of the Greatest Hollywood Films of the 20th Century

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Contact sheets often provide a fascinating glimpse into the mind of photographers, showing final shots among outtakes that were left on the cutting room floor.

Hollywood Frame by Frame is a new book by Karina Longworth that offers this look into the work of old Hollywood photographers. It’s a collection of contact sheets showing famous actors on the sets of some of Hollywood’s greatest films from the 20th century.

cover

During the “classic” years of Hollywood, photographers shooting publicity shots on the sets of films had an important role: their carefully selected shots were critical in creating positive public perception for famous actors and actresses (this was prior to digital photography and the Internet taking over).

Thus, contact sheets were heavily scrutinized, and unflattering photographers were left unpublished and were expected to stay hidden from public view.

Now that decades have passed, many of those contact sheets are resurfacing. Longworth’s collection shows many of Hollywood’s biggest stars caught with their guard down.

Here are some of the sheets found in the book:

Julius Caesar (1953), starring Marlon Brando

Photo by Peter Stackpole/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Photo by Peter Stackpole/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), starring Audrey Hepburn

Paramount/The Kobal Collection/Howell Conant
Paramount/The Kobal Collection/Howell Conant
Paramount/The Kobal Collection/Howell Conant
Paramount/The Kobal Collection/Howell Conant
Paramount/The Kobal Collection/Howell Conant
Paramount/The Kobal Collection/Howell Conant
Paramount/The Kobal Collection/Howell Conant
Paramount/The Kobal Collection/Howell Conant

Rear Window (1954), starring Grace Kelley

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Bus Stop (1956), starring Marilyn Monroe

Archive Photos/Getty Images
Archive Photos/Getty Images

Giant (1956), starring James Dean

© Sid Avery/mptvimages.com
© Sid Avery/mptvimages.com

Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

Photo by Bill Ray/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Photo by Bill Ray/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Raging Bull (1980), starring Robert DeNiro

Christine Loss
Christine Loss
Christine Loss
Christine Loss

You can pick up a copy of Hollywood Frame by Frame for about $20 over on Amazon.

(via Reframe)

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