We all know that the Studio System of 30s, 40s and 50s Hollywood remade and remoulded their actors and actresses, but what did they look like before they were styled by the star factory? Here are some of my favourite Classic Hollywood actresses before they were famous. Who do you think had the biggest transformation?
Ingrid Bergman photographed during the filming of her first film Munkbrogreven (The Count of Monk’s Bridge) 1934.
Marilyn Monroe, back when she was Norma Jeane Dougherty for U.S. army magazine YANK: 1945
Rita Hayworth, back when she was Rita Cansino with her natural brunette hair colour. December 1935
Elizabeth Taylor c. 1950, she was still a child star at this point, but not the Liz Taylor we knew later…
Judy Garland back when she was part of ‘The Gumm Sisters’ c. 1935. From left to right: Mary Jane, Frances Ethel (Judy Garland) and Dorothy Virginia Gumm.
Publicity photo of Lucille Ball (in a rather uncomfortable position!) and Allan Lane for Argentinean Magazine.
Mexican-American actress Dolores del Río looking rather vampish in the early 1920s before she had her Hollywood transformation.
Ginger Rogers photographed in 1932
Mae West photographed in the 1920s before she went platinum blonde.
Greta Garbo photographed in 1924, the year she made her first movie in The Saga of Gösta Berling.
Image source: 1,This Swedish photograph is free to use 2, This image is a work of a U.S. Army soldier or employee, taken or made as part of that person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,This work is in the public domain because it was published in the United States between 1923 and 1977 and without a copyright notice. 9, Some rights reserved. Source, source and copyright: This work is in the public domain in those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 80 years or less.
Rita Hayworth was gorgeous.
Oh yes, Hayworth of my favourite 40s actresses and by far the most glamorous!
The Lucille Ball photo I am guessing is after her appearance with the Three Stooges.
Was that one of her first appearances?
Yes it is. I’m only 10, but I’m a big fan of old Hollywood. My real name is Bella Bullock, But my username is Patsy because I love Patsy Cline.
I always like to see stars before they became famous. Many of them already had a natural beauty about them.
Beautiful photos and great news article, Mary!