A George Raft Group of Set Stills from His Films

A George Raft Group of Set Stills from His Films Including Madame Racketeer, Under-Cover Man, Midnight Club, The Trumpet Blows, Stolen Harmony, The Glass Key, Yours for the Asking, and The Lady's from Kentucky. Please note that there may be some duplication of photographs in each film folder. Madame Racketeer (aka The Sporting Widow) (Paramount Pictures, 1932). Starring George Raft. Directors Harry Wagstaff Gribble, Alexander Hall. Approximately 65 silver gelatin photographs, 8 x 10 in., some with photographer 'A.E. Freudeman' stamped to verso. Under-Cover Man (Paramount Pictures, 1932). Starring George Raft. Director James Flood. Approximately 40 silver gelatin photographs, 8 x 10 in., many with photographer 'A.E. Freudeman' stamped to verso. Midnight Club (Paramount Pictures, 1933). Starring George Raft. Directors Alexander Hall and George Sommes. Approximately 35 silver gelatin photographs, 8 x 10 in., many with photographer 'A.E. Freudeman' stamped to verso. The Trumpet Blows (Paramount Pictures, 1934). Starring George Raft. Director Stephen Roberts. Approximately 80 silver gelatin photographs, 8 x 10 in., most with location descriptions handwritten in ink to border, many with photographer 'A.E. Freudeman' stamped to verso, 2 featuring George Raft. Stolen Harmony (Paramount Pictures, 1935). Starring George Raft. Director Alfred Werker. Approximately 45 silver gelatin photographs, 8 x 10 in., most with location descriptions handwritten in ink to border, some with photographer 'A.E. Freudeman' stamped to verso. Together with 7 smaller photos, 5 x 8 in. The Glass Key (Paramount Pictures, 1935). Starring George Raft. Director Frank Tuttle. Approximately 45 silver gelatin photographs, 8 x 10 in., almost all with location descriptions handwritten in ink to border, some with photographer 'A.E. Freudeman' stamped to verso, 2 featuring George Raft. Yours for the Asking (aka The Duchess) (Paramount Pictures, 1936). Starring George Raft. Director Alexander Hall. Approximately 50 silver gelatin photographs, 8 x 10 in., almost all with location descriptions handwritten in ink to border, many with photographer 'A.E. Freudeman' stamped to verso. The Lady's from Kentucky (Paramount Pictures, 1939). Starring George Raft. Director Alexander Hall. Approximately 150 silver gelatin photographs, 8 x 10 in., many with location descriptions handwritten in ink to border, some with 'Set Dressing (36)' stamped to verso, 4 featuring George Raft. Child star Jackie Cooper once said that tough guy actor George Raft was one of the nicest men he had ever known. On screen, he played gangsters and con men armed with machine guns and tossing coins, but offscreen, he was a teddy bear. He once declined to hit Marlene Dietrich in a film, and even after Dietrich insisted, he refused. Only days later, when shooting was at a standstill, did he acquiesce, and it bothered him for the rest of his life. Another contradiction to his tough guy image was his career as a professional dancer in vaudeville, a talent which was utilized in at least two of his most successful films, Bolero (1934) and Rumba (1935), both with Carole Lombard and both produced by Paramount Pictures. After signing his contract with Paramount in 1932, he appeared in a string of successful films, but gradually he began to complain about the scripts he was receiving from the studio; he was tired of playing the gangster. He ended his association with Paramount in 1937 and continued making films until 1980. 8 x 10 in. or smaller Footnotes: The collection of Paramount Pictures set stills that is being offered in this auction is an extraordinary historical archive from the late 1920s to the early 1970s. Sets stills were taken for continuity purposes and to document the arrangements of the sets and props, etc, during the making of a film. Not only does this collection photographically document the changes in filmmaking through the decades, it details the changing styles of architecture, interior design (the Art Deco sets from the 1930s are astonishingly beautiful), fashion, cars, and more. In the cases of location shooting, one can see the evolution of various southern California towns and landmarks, from the tony nightspots of Hollywood to the open spaces of Brentwood to the artistry of the Paramount Ranch. The photos give a unique behind-the-scenes look at the stars during filming; some vamp for the camera while others avoid it, some study their scripts or confer with the director, and some look incredibly bored. Equally interesting is the appearance of the stars' lookalike stand-ins and famous extras such as Bess Flowers. The unsung heroes of filmmaking, the crews, are seen as well, holding the booms, adjusting the lights, holding the clapper boards, and waiting, waiting, waiting. And speaking of unsung heroes, the talent, imagination, style, and creativity of the art directors and set decorators for these films cannot be overstated. Most of the fashion designers of the 1930s and '40s, such as Edith Head, are recognized for their contributions, as well they should be; however, the set decorators and art directors are grossly overlooked. Masters of their profession such as Hans Dreier, Robert Usher, William Flannery, Hal Pereira, Ernst Fegte, Sam Comer, Walter H. Tyler, A. Earl Hedrick, and so many others, deserve their place in the sun, and hopefully, the future owners of these historic photographs will appreciate their artistry. Lot to be sold without reserve. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing