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.
Among the Living is a 1941 American horror film noir directed by Stuart Heisler and starring Albert Dekker, Susan Hayward, Harry Carey and Frances Farmer. Its plot follows a man whose deranged twin brother resurfaces after he arrives in town to claim his inheritance.
Cast
Albert Dekker as John Raden / Paul Raden
Susan Hayward as Millie Pickens
Harry Carey as Dr. Ben Saunders
Frances Farmer as Elaine Raden
Gordon Jones as Bill Oakley
Jean Phillips as Peggy Nolan
Ernest Whitman as Pompey
Maude Eburne as Mrs. Pickens
Frank M. Thomas as Sheriff
Harlan Briggs as Judge
Archie Twitchell as Tom Reilly
Dorothy Sebastian as Woman in Cafe
William Stack as Minister