Portraits of Hollywood Actresses by Albert Witzel (1920s)

Witzel Studios was founded in Los Angeles by photographer Albert Walter Witzel (1879–1929) in 1909 and within a few years had become one of the city’s foremost portrait studios.

The rise of the business paralleled the emergence of the film industry following its relocation from the east coast, and Witzel was soon in demand from Hollywood studios seeking to create interest in movies by circulating promo shots of their stars. Distinguished by moody lighting and dramatic poses and settings, Witzel’s photos soon set the tone for Hollywood studio photography and from the mid-1910s they featured frequently in fan magazines like Photoplay, becoming an important promotional and publicity tool.

Witzel occasionally worked on assignment for the big picture studios, photographing many silent film luminaries including Theda Bara and Charlie Chaplin (source).

Portrait of American actress Clara Bow by American photographer Albert Witzel (1879-1929) via

Portrait of American actress & showgirl Blanche Mehaffey Witzel, 1920s by Albert Witzel (1879-1929) via

Portrait of Bebe Daniels by photographer Albert Witzel (1879-1929), 1920 via

Portrait of American actress Natalie Kingston by Albert Witzel (1879-1929) via

Portrait of American actress Melva Cornell by Albert Witzel (1879-1929), 1920s via

Portrait of American actress Bessie Love by Albert Witzel (1879-1929), 1920 via

Portrait of American actress Doris May by Albert Witzel (1879-1929) , 1920 via

The Broadway Melody (1929)

The Broadway Melody, also known as The Broadway Melody of 1929, is an American pre-Code musical film and the first sound film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture.

Eddie Kearns (Charles King) sings “The Broadway Melody”, and tells some chorus girls that he brought the Mahoney Sisters vaudeville act to New York to perform it with him in the latest revue being produced by Francis Zanfield (Eddie Kane). Harriet “Hank” Mahoney (Bessie Love) and her sister Queenie Mahoney (Anita Page) are awaiting Eddie’s arrival at their apartment. Hank, the older sister, prides herself on her business sense and talent, while Queenie is lauded for her beauty. Hank is confident they will make it big while Queenie is less eager to put everything on the line to become a star…

Bessie Love and Anita Page in The Broadway Melody directed by Henry Beaumont, 1929 via

Bessie Love, Anita Page and Charles King in The Broadway Melody directed by Henry Beaumont, 1929 via

Bessie Love and Anita Page in The Broadway Melody directed by Henry Beaumont, 1929 via

 

Bessie Love by Edwin Bower Hesser (1919)

Edwin Bower Hesser, Bessie Love, 1919 via

Edwin Bower Hesser, Bessie Love, 1919 via