Anyone fancy a slice of Hollywood Hallowe’en cheesecake? It’s not for all tastes and some might find it a bit sickly. But if you’re not feeling too straight-laced, it should bring a smile to your face.
For the Hollywood studios, never shy about using sex to sell their movies, from the 1920s and into the 1950s, Hallowe’en, is a great opportunity to get their (female) stars into the press.
The result is a welter of truly trashy shots, some of which are simultaneously coy and suggestive while at the same time retaining a certain period charm.
In an article for LIFE magazine, Ben Cosgrove reminds us that:
Many Hollywood studios put their faith in photographs of their comeliest stars striking what, in retrospect, were perfectly absurd poses, wearing perfectly absurd outfits. The creation of these “pinup” shots — often referred to by the catchall term “cheesecake” — was a miniature industry all its own, with stylists, makeup artists, electricians, grips and other behind-the-scenes experts working with photographers and, of course, the actresses themselves to produce publicity stills.
But look just beneath the surface of these superficial images, and you’ll find some remarkable achievements and moving stories of the real women in front of the cameras. They’re putting on a show here just as they do in the movies.
1945. I first came across Dusty Anderson as the cover girl for Farm Journal in Cover Girl, a must-see movie for anyone who's into...
1945. You'd never guess it, but Dusty Anderson's life is in turmoil as she poses for this shot. She's announced her divorce from Captain...
1946. It looks as if the success of Dusty Anderson's Hallowe'en shoot last year as a witch with her broomstick has persuaded Columbia to reprise...
Around 1925. Bebe Daniels is one of the most popular stars of the silent era. Cecil B DeMille has pestered her into signing with Paramount...
1948. Adele Jergens takes time off from playing brassy platinum-blond bombshells and film-noir femmes fatales to embrace an enamoured Mr Pumpkin. The cat's silhouette in...
1943. Nan Wynn (holding the candle) has come to Hollywood on the back of her singing success on the vaudeville circuit and the wireless. Having...
1947. The things studios do to promote movies! Here is Jane Greer, starring in Out of the Past as Kathie Moffat, who turns out as...
1938. Rita Johnson, at the start of her Hollywood career, fearlessly confronts Mr Pumpkin.
She will go on to star in a string of movies...
