Collection of Original Candid and Publicity Photographs

Collection of 20 photographs of the American actress, including several original backstage candids by Paul McMahon, five original candids taken during a performance of the 1963 revival of Tennessee Williams' The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore, her final theatrical role, and two promotional photographs from Fanatic, her final film appearance.  The original period promotional photographs include three stills from the 1944 Alfred Hitchcock film Lifeboat, three from the 1965 Hammer film Fanatic (identified in the captions by its American title, Die! Die! My Darling!), and two stills from the 1953 musical comedy Main Street to Broadway.  The collection also includes a publicity photograph from New York City's Stork Club, showing Bankhead at dinner with several friends.  Overall in very fine condition.  Seven photographs measure 5 x 3.5 inches (12.7 x 8.9 cm.), one 3.5 x 3.5 inches (8.9 x 8.9 cm.), twelve 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.).

Tallulah Bankhead was born to the Brockman Bankheads, a prominent family in Alabama politics.  Her grandfather and uncle were U.S. Senators and her father served 11 terms in the House, including a final term as Speaker of the House.  Bankhead often stood in public opposition to her family's politics, taking progressive stances on such issues as the civil rights movement.  Throughout her career in film and television, she was known to be a prodigious smoker and drinker, and she openly had relationships with both men and women. 

From the collection of Paul McMahon, a critic, photographer and artist who worked for more than 13 years touring with Marlene Dietrich as the icon’s stage manager, announcer, dresser, secretary and escort, and later spent 25 years as an arts and entertainment reviewer and photographer with Gay Community News, Esplanade, Tommy’s Connection, The Mirror, Bay Windows and other publications.  (20367)

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Film

Theater

Unsigned Photo

Unsigned Photograph

Unsigned Photo/Portrait

• Sold