Bob Willoughby: A Cinematic Life

(Hardback)

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Description

This is the first comprehensive, large-format monograph of Bob Willoughbys photographs of film and television stars from the 1950s to the 1970s. Considered the first on-set still photographer in the film industry, Bob Willoughby photographed numerous movie stars of the era, including Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Jean Seberg, Elizabeth Taylor, Natalie Wood, Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, Doris Day, James Dean, and many more. These stars continue to influence fashion and culture, from Baby Boomers all the way to Gen Z. The iconic celebrities and others featured have lasting presence, still gaining fans today via both social media and the availability of classic films through streaming channels. This compendium features vintage and never-before-seen photographs of the most beloved stars of film and television. Willoughbys images include many taken during the filming of classics such as THE GRADUATE, MY FAIR LADY, ROSEMARYS BABY, and others. In addition to on-set photography, there are also many candid portraits of actors at home, such as those of Audrey Hepburn. This compendium includes both black-and-white and color photographs of some of the greatest icons from this Golden Age of Hollywood.

Reviews

"A collection of intimate and legendary shots, this collection would be a great gift for those eternally enchanted by the golden age of cinema." --NY Mag The Strategist, 47 of the Year's Most Giftable Coffee-Table Books
"This large format monograph takes you inside [Bob Willoughby's] incredible career, where he was the first ever 'outside' photographer hired by major movie studios-complete with insider stories from the sets of The Graduate, Rebel Without a Cause and many more." --Robb Report, The 30 Best Coffee Table Books to Give Your Living Room a Dose of Smart Style
"With more than 200 photos, A Cinematic Life offers all kinds of creator-class cool, from Sinatra and McQueen to Hepburn, or Hitchcock and Billie Holiday (who once invited the photographer back to her apartment for tea). What lifts the book to the next level are the intimate, behind-the-scenes quotes from the late photographer that accompany most of the images." --Esquire

Author Bio

Bob Willoughby (19272009), whose photographs transformed the images of Hollywoods biggest stars, is a true pioneer of 20th-century photography. He was the first outside photographer hired by the major studios to create photographs and was the link between the filmmakers and the eras major magazines, such as LIFE and LOOK. His career was launched when Warner Bros. asked him to photograph Judy Garlands final scene on the set of A STAR IS BORN, which then became his first LIFE cover. His images were in print every week for the next 20 years. His extensive photographs of jazz musicians of the era are also revered, and his work is in the permanent collections of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Beverly Hills); the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York); the Tate Gallery (London); the National Portrait Gallery (Washington, DC); and many more.