AVA GARDNER | THE KILLERS [1946] Portrait

[Los Angeles]: Universal, [1946]. Vintage original 8 x 10″ (20 x 25 cm) black-and-white glossy silver gelatin photo. Ink stamp by photographer Ed Esterbrook and attached typed blurb on verso. Fine.

Glamour fashion publicity image of star Ava Gardner promoting Universal’s The Killers. After nearly five years of MGM training during which she spent being photographed, on screen with walk-ons, follies girl duties and doing small roles, Ava was loaned to Universal for her leading lady debut in Ernest Hemingway’s story directed by Robert Siodmak. Gardner was an ultimate femme fatale.