Olivier, Laurence. (1907–1989). "Hamlet" - Signed Promotional Photograph.
Signed Universal Pictures promotional photograph of the British legend of stage and screen in a scene from his own 1948 adaptation of Hamlet, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor and was nominated for Best Director. Olivier has inscribed "Paul / L Olivier" in red ink to a darker area of the image. Light edge wear, else in very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Olivier's film of Hamlet was the first sound adaptation in English, and the first British film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. While the film was a financial success and Olivier's performance was widely praised, the cuts made in the name of time remain somewhat controversial. Rather remarkably, as of 2021, Olivier remains the only actor to have won an Oscar for a Shakespearean role.
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.
Olivier, Laurence. (1907–1989). "Hamlet" - Signed Promotional Photograph.
Signed Universal Pictures promotional photograph of the British legend of stage and screen in a scene from his own 1948 adaptation of Hamlet, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor and was nominated for Best Director. Olivier has inscribed "Paul / L Olivier" in red ink to a darker area of the image. Light edge wear, else in very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Olivier's film of Hamlet was the first sound adaptation in English, and the first British film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. While the film was a financial success and Olivier's performance was widely praised, the cuts made in the name of time remain somewhat controversial. Rather remarkably, as of 2021, Olivier remains the only actor to have won an Oscar for a Shakespearean role.
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.