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Search Results for “Dorothy Arzner

DOROTHY ARZNER (ca. 1930-37) Set of 3 photos

Set of three (3) vintage original 8 x 10″ (20 x 25 cm.) black-and-white print still photos, USA. One photo has diagonal creases near bottom and other signs of light handling, VERY GOOD-; the other two are linen-backed keybook photos, NEAR FINE.

In the 1930s Dorothy Arzner was the only woman directing movies in the US. “It was no secret that Arzner was a lesbian.” (Mann, p. 74) As in these photos, she always appeared in “mannish” attire, with a short haircut.

KATHARINE HEPBURN | CHRISTOPHER STRONG (1933) Unusual portrait

[Los Angeles: RKO Radio Pictures, 1933]. Vintage original 8 x 10″ (20 x 25 cm.) black-and-white glossy silver gelatin photo. Remnants of original attached paper blurb describing Hepburn as tired, dirty and ready for sleep. Much of the rest of the text is only partially readable as it has been torn away. RKO credit line ink stamp is present. A one-inch (3 cm.) tear at mid right edge, mended with archival paper. Minor corner creases, near fine.

An unusual and uncharacteristic image of a disheveled Katharine Hepburn in a story about a female aviatrix. Hepburn wore several trench coats in the film. Today this is a landmark in LGBTQ film history. It is respected for the strong woman’s perspective, for the employment of a largely LGBTQ cast, crew and female director, Dorothy Arzner.

Photo is coded P 649-87.

PARAMOUNT ON PARADE (1930) BTS photo from collection of Kenneth Anger

[Los Angeles: Paramount, 1930]. Vintage original 8 x 10″ (20 x 25 cm.) black-and-white double weight glossy silver gelatin print photo. Minor wear at blank white margins and one small margin tear near top left edge. About fine.

A fascinating image from a fascinating film, retained for publication by a fascinating collector. This was Paramount’s entry into the all-star musical genre which each major studio found themselves obligated to present to try out their contract players in the new medium of sound. Every great director participated: Dorothy Arzner, Ernst Lubitsch and Edmund Goulding were just three of the 11 directors involved. Joseph L. Mankiewicz wrote the script. Stars included Jean Arthur, Clara Bow, Gary Cooper, Maurice Chevalier, Kay Francis and Fay Wray, to name a few.

One can see in the image, and as was the practice before lip syncing, the orchestra live on the soundstage with the performers. Further making this photo of interest is that the film was made in five versions. This included the American, Spanish, French and Dutch versions and different musical numbers were filmed for each. This still has the French version title handwritten on the bottom white margin and what may be a number for a publication. The verso has all kinds of publication and cropping marks. There is also the collection stamp of Kenneth Anger, who owned this image at a later date and may have been used in one of his books.

KATHARINE HEPBURN, COLIN CLIVE | CHRISTOPHER STRONG (1933) Photo

[Los Angeles: RKO Radio Pictures, 1933]. Vintage original 8 x 10″ (20 x 25 cm.) black-and-white glossy silver gelatin photo. Minor crease at bottom right corner, near fine.

Director Dorothy Arzner employed a large LGBTQ cast and crew in this intelligent story scripted by Zoe Atkins. From a novel by Gilbert Frankau, it is an unusual story of an aviatrix who has an affair with a married man, the relationship built on appreciation for each other more than physical romance.

Photo has RKO code number of GD-46A.

KATHARINE HEPBURN | CHRISTOPHER STRONG (1933) Portrait

[Los Angeles: RKO, 1933]. Vintage original 8 x 10″ (20 x 25 cm.) black-and-white single weight glossy silver gelatin print still photo. Minor edge wear, just about fine.  

Though the story concentrated on an illicit romance between a happily married man and a young aviatrix, director Dorothy Arzner populated her production with a largely LGBTQ cast and crew and explored the themes of gender dynamics of the 1930s when women were looking to be independent and to defy the societal-imposed gender roles. No better star actress than Katharine Hepburn could better play this role. Arzner and company changed the title from THE GREAT DESIRE to CHRISTOPHER STRONG. 

Still is coded “P649-38”. RKO Radio Pictures ink stamp on verso. Original attached paper blurb.

KATHARINE HEPBURN, COLIN CLIVE | CHRISTOPHER STRONG (1933) Photo

[Los Angeles: RKO Pictures, 1933]. Vintage original 8 x 10″ (20 x 25 cm.) black-and-white single weight glossy silver gelatin print still photo. Minor toning to blank white margins and one ink publishing stamp on the verso. About fine.

One of the pivotal, influential films of LGBTQ cinema history, directed by Dorothy Arzner. It features the story of a strong female aviator.

Hepburn is in a very serious mood in this scene with Colin Clive. The characters are carrying on an adulterous affair in the story.

NANA (1934) Promotional book

Vintage original promotional book, USA. United Artists. 4to, 12 pp., tissue overguards on each recto, slight spotting to wrappers, small mended tear on back, very good+.

A handsomely produced book, consisting of full-page images of Anna Sten in Dorothy Arzner‘s adaptation of Émile Zola. “The only film in which Arzner directly addresses prostitution.” Not in OCLC.

CHRISTOPHER STRONG (1933) Photo

Vintage original 8 x 10” (20 x 25 cm.) photo, fine. Katharine Hepburn, Colin Clive, dir: Dorothy Arzner; RKO. Christopher Strong (Clive) declares his love to aviatrix Cynthia Darrington (Katharine Hepburn), dressed as a moth for a costume ball.