Cinema

A Hollywood Story

From aspiring young actresses to glamorous stars, we revisit Dennis Stock’s behind-the-scenes tale of a unique town as Oscars night approaches

Dennis Stock

Dennis Stock In the flares of the Academy Awards, a starlet poses to autograph a fan's book. Los Angeles, California, USA. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos
Dennis Stock Simone Signoret receives an Oscar for the film ‘Les Chemins de la haute ville’ (Room at the Top), directed by Jack Clayton. Los Angeles, CA, USA. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos
Dennis Stock Table at the 32nd Annual Academy Awards Ceremony at RKO Pantages Theatre. Los Angeles, CA, USA. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos
Dennis Stock American actor Charlton Heston in his Beverly Hills home. Los Angeles, CA, USA. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos
Dennis Stock The American actor Jack Lemmon. USA. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos
Dennis Stock American film maker Billy Wilder. Los Angeles, USA. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos
Dennis Stock The actor and singer Bing Crosby having lunch with coworkers at the Fox studios. The montage on the wall behind him includes a portrait of Darryl F. Zanuch, the former studio head. Los Angeles, CA, (...)
Dennis Stock Off stage, during the shooting of ‘Let’s Make Love’, the stars' chair stands empty and the magazines unread. USA. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos
Dennis Stock The Screen Actors Guild strike is over, American actress Marilyn Monroe cheerfully goes back to work. USA. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos
Dennis Stock Some aspiring actresses take temporary salesgirls's jobs at JAX'S, in the hope that they will be noticed by one of this famous clotier's clientele. Los Angeles, CA, USA. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos
Dennis Stock The Studio Club, a residential club for aspiring young actresses. The walls of their rooms are covered with photos of their favorite stars. Los Angeles, CA, USA. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos
Dennis Stock Once every year, the ceremony of the blessing of the animals, takes place in the Mexican quarter of the city. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos
Dennis Stock American actor Tony Curtis at his home in Berverley Hills, with his daughter Jamie Lee Curtis. Los Angeles, CA, USA. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos
Dennis Stock American film maker Fred Zinnemann. USA. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos
Dennis Stock Academy Awards Coffee Shop waitress. Hollywood, California, USA. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos
Dennis Stock The believers, Reverend Spencer's fame as a faith healer is widespread. Members of his congregation stand up to proclaim their faith.USA. Los Angeles, CA, USA. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos
Dennis Stock The Spadena House in Beverly Hills. Los Angeles, CA, USA. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos
Dennis Stock Wilshire Boulevard. Los Angeles, CA, USA. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos
Dennis Stock The car attendant at the "Captain's Table Restaurant". Guests are escorted by staff in 18th century costumes. Los Angeles, CA, USA. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos
Dennis Stock Used car lot. Wilshire Boulevard. Los Angeles, California, USA. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos
Dennis Stock The corner of Sepulveda and Washington Boulevards. Los Angeles, CA, USA. 1960. © Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos

In Dennis Stock’s Hollywood, even everyday architecture looks like fantasy film sets. In the town that dreams are made in, the department store girls are ingénues in waiting and even church services are steeped in drama. Restaurant waiters glide through the scene in 18th century costume, as if straight from a movie set.

This photo story is a pit-stop journey through 1960s Hollywood, offering a glimpse into glitzy awards parties and private jets, the secret enclaves of film studios and their ambitiously designed sets, punctuated by portraits of the body beautiful and the homes of the rich and famous.

The Spadena House in Beverly Hills, designed by Hollywood art director Harry Oliver, appears like a fairy tale film set; stars are pictured at home, surrounded by their art and achievements; a studio chief conducts a meeting to discuss important business underneath a mural of his predecessor; an Oscar statue, abandoned by its winner, stands surrounded by glasses of booze and smoldering cigarettes; and a starlet signs an autograph, illuminated by a spotlight. The image created by Stock goes beyond the facades of Hollywood, and yet equally celebrates their glossy veneers.

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