The National Portrait Gallery of London pays homage to the iconic actors of Hollywood’s Golden Age [1920-1960] with their latest exhibition, Glamour of the Gods. Borrowed from the John Kobal Foundation, many of the images on display– ranging from publicity shots to film stills– have never before been seen in public. Everyone from Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich to Marlon Brando and James Dean vamp it up for the camera in portraits that established careers, and contributed infinitely to their enduring legacies.
Running through 23 October 2011, Glamour of the Gods also includes a concurrent schedule of special events, ranging from exhibition tours and lectures to screenings of classic Hollywood films.
Greta Garbo and John Gilbert for Flesh and The Devil, by Bert Longworth, 1926
Clark Gable and Joan Crawford for Dancing Lady, by George Hurrell, 1933
Marilyn Monroe by Ernest Bachrach, 1952
Rita Hayworth for Gilda, by Robert Coburn, 1946
Marlene Dietrich by George Hurrell, 1937
Marlon Brando for A Streetcar Named Desire by John Engstead, 1950
Press room at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, by anonymous photographer
Clarence Sinclair Bull photographing Clarke Gable and Vivien Leigh for Gone with the Wind, 1939, photo by Fred Parrish
Ronald Colman and Vilma Bánky, scene-still for The Magic Flame, photo by Kenneth Alexander, 1927
