Behind the scenes of Hollywood's golden era

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Directors immersed in the moment, iconic actors pouring over their scripts and starlets lounging in costume are all part of a new photographic exhibition of Hollywood's golden era captured by Bob Willoughby.

L.A-born Willoughby made his name photographing actress Audrey Hepburn and was given unprecedented access by studios to picture behind scenes shots of some of the most famous films ever made.

The exhibition, which is on display at Proud Chelsea until 13 January, includes a picture of James Dean reading his script on the set of Rebel Without A Cause in 1955 and Mia Farrow relaxing in between takes on the set of Rosemary's Baby in 1967.

Hollywood legend: James Dean reads his lines on the set of Rebel Without A Cause in 1955

On set: Marilyn Monroe, left, and Natalie Wood pictured between takes by photographer Bob Willoughby

There are also photos of screen sirens Natalie Wood and Marilyn Monroe getting into character and one of a young Sean Connery on the set of Hitchcock directed Marnie.
 Frank Sinatra, Elvis and Elizabeth Taylor also feature in the exhibition after being captured on film by Willoughby during his prestigious career in the fifties, sixties and seventies.

The King and I: Actress Sophia Loren hugs Elvis Presley at Paramount Studios in 1958

Mia Farrow in 1967: This is just one of the behind the scenes pictures featured in the exhibition at Proud Chelsea

The exhibition also includes Willoughby's first photograph of Audrey Hepburn when the pair met at Paramount Studios.
The photographer became known in Hollywood after his artfully informal pictures of the gamine actress were first published but his big break came when his shot of Judy Garland on the set of A Star is Born made the front cover of Life Magazine.

It wasn't long before the editors of top publications were commissioning him to capture behind the scenes moments of major movies, where he was given unrivalled access to the world's most famous actors and actresses by Warner Bros and Universal studios.

Access all areas: Frank Sinatra pictured in 1965 on set by Willoughby who was commissioned to take behind the scenes shots

He took pictures on sets including The Graduate, My Fair Lady and Ocean's Eleven capturing Hollywood stars in and out of character, in moments of high drama and at their most relaxed.

 

Willoughby was also a pioneer when it came to technology and photograpghy - he commissioned radio controls and soundproof housings for his cameras in order to get the shots other photographers might have missed.

Bob Willoughby: The Silver Age of Hollywood, Proud Chelsea, 8th November 2012 - 13th January 2013, www.proud.co.uk