It’s Sunday and that means it’s time for “Classic Hollywood Photos”.
When I was 19-years-old, I purchased and acquired hundreds of classic Hollywood photos from a retailer who wanted to pass his photo collection before he passed. For several decades, friends and classic cinema fans have asked me to share my collection and I decided for the purpose of identification, I’m going to start sharing photos in my collection.
First up is a photo from “Wizard of Oz” (1939). Not sure if this was a promotional still but I’m still trying to get more information on this photo whether or not it was a promotional still or behind-the-scenes shot. If anyone knows, please let me know.
The next photo is of Marlene Dietrich from “Kismet” (1944). “Kismet” was based on the war-horse stage play by Edward Knoblock, previously filmed in 1920 and 1930 with the play’s original star Otis Skinner.
I’ve seen many promo photos of Marlene Dietrich for “Kismet”, especially looking straight at the camera but this one, not so much. But she looks absolutely stunning in this photo.
Just a little trivia that in the dancing scene (which featured Marlene Dietrich and a body double), originally she wore golden chainmail harem pants but when she was dancing, the chainlets kept breaking. So, to get the gold effect for her dance scene, they painted her legs in gold paint. Apparently, the paint starved her legs from oxygen, causing hypothermia, all in the purpose of achieving the gold effect.
Here is another classic photo that I have. When I was young, I grew up watching the Little Rascals (Our Gang) and this is among the few Little Rascals 8×11 photos that I do own. This one features Afalfa (Carl Switzer), Spanky (George McFarland), Buckwheat (William Thomas) and Darla (Darla Jean Hood). A friend told me the teen on the top left is Edith Fellows and they are singing with the popular crooner, Bing Crosby.
Jim Reid gave me an update that the photo is of the Our Gang kids visiting the set of Columbia’s “Pennies From Heaven” in 1936, starring Bing Crosby and Our Gang alum Edith Fellows (in sailor hat).
In the film, Bing Crosby played the role of Larry Poole, a man who went to prison on a false charge. He made a goal that when he is released from prison, he would help out a family in need. And this family is Patsy (portrayed by Edith Fellows) and her elderly grandfather.
Definitely one of my favorite “Our Gang” photos that I have in my collection.
