An Elvis Presley Group of Set Stills from His Films

An Elvis Presley Group of Set Stills from His Films Including Loving You, King Creole, GI Blues, Blue Hawaii, Girls! Girls! Girls!, Fun in Acapulco, Roustabout, Paradise, Hawaiian Style, and Easy Come, Easy Go. Please note that there may be some duplication of photographs in each film folder. Loving You (Paramount Pictures, 1957). Starring Elvis Presley. Director Hal Kanter. Approximately 157 silver gelatin photographs, 8 x 10 in., most date stamped (Jan-March 1957) to verso, one with Elvis Presley and one with producer Hal Wallis. Together with 11 smaller photos, 4 x 5 in. King Creole (Paramount Pictures, 1958). Starring Elvis Presley. Director Michael Curtiz. Approximately 150 silver gelatin photographs, 8 x 10 in., almost all with studio keybook 3-hole punches in border, most date stamped (Jan.-Feb. 1958) to verso, 7 featuring Elvis Presley. Together with 20 smaller photos, 4 x 5 in. GI Blues (Paramount Pictures, 1960). Starring Elvis Presley. Director Norman Taurog. Approximately 80 silver gelatin photographs, 8 x 10 in., almost all with studio keybook 3-hole punches in upper border, most date stamped (May-June 1960) to verso. Together with 2 smaller photos, approximately 5 x 8 in., and a 4 x 5 in. photo. Blue Hawaii (Paramount Pictures, 1961). Starring Elvis Presley. Director Norman Taurog. Approximately 60 silver gelatin photographs, 8 x 10 in., almost all with studio keybook 3-hole punches in upper border, many date stamped (March-May 1961) to verso, a few featuring Elvis Presley. Girls! Girls! Girls (Paramount Pictures, 1962). Starring Elvis Presley. Director Norman Taurog. Approximately 75 silver gelatin photographs, 8 x 10 in., some date stamped (April-May 1962), a few featuring Elvis Presley. Fun in Acapulco (Paramount Pictures, 1963). Starring Elvis Presley. Director Richard Thorpe. Approximately 90 silver gelatin photographs, 8 x 10 in., almost all with studio keybook 3-hole punches in upper border, many date stamped (Jan-March 1963) or with 'Script' stamped to verso. Together with 21 smaller photos, 4 x 5 in. Roustabout (Paramount Pictures, 1964). Starring Elvis Presley, Barbara Stanwyck. Director John Rich. Approximately 130 silver gelatin photographs, 8 x 10 in., almost all with studio keybook 3-hole punches in upper border, most date stamped (March-April 1964) to verso, a few featuring Elvis Presley and Barbara Stanwyck. Together with 8 smaller photos, 3.5 x 4 in. to 4 x 5 in. Paradise, Hawaiian Style (aka Hawaiian Paradise) (Paramount Pictures, 1966). Starring Elvis Presley. Director Michael D. Moore. Approximately 70 silver gelatin photographs, 8 x 10 in., almost all with studio keybook 3-hole punches in upper border, most date stamped (Aug.-Sept. 1965) to verso, two featuring Elvis Presley. Together with 6 smaller photos, 4 x 5 in. and 5 x 7 in. Easy Come, Easy Go (Paramount Pictures, 1967). Starring Elvis Presley. Director John Rich. Approximately 70 silver gelatin photographs, 8 x 10 in., almost all with studio keybook 3-hole punches in upper border, most date stamped (Oct. 1966) to verso. Elvis Presley's phenomenal rise as The King of Rock-n-Roll was supplemented by a series of quickly made and, with a few exceptions, insipid films which were wildly successful for his presence alone. Most of the music was pleasant, but the scripts were weak, and Presley was miserable making them, as they prevented him from pursuing a more serious music or acting career. At the mercy of his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, whose iron-clad contract prevented Presley from straying from Parker's choices, Presley lost quite a few years of what could have been creative triumph. Though the films are light and fun, they became increasingly silly with Presley playing twin cousins or something equally ridiculous; however, even with the absurd plots, Presley's true acting talent and natural charisma shone through. 8 x 10 in. and 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. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing