40 Iconic Photos of Old Hollywood Stars on Set

Jean Harlow epitomized old-school Tinseltown glamour with her cupid’s bow mouth, dramatic eyeliner, and platinum blonde curls. Born in Missouri, she ran away to get married at age 16 to an older man, and the couple moved to Los Angeles. She auditioned for many roles as an extra, but her breakthrough role was in the 1930 Howard Hughes’ hit, Hell’s Angels. She often appeared with other big stars of the time, such as in Hold Your Man with Clark Gable (1933). Here, she’s having her hair done between takes on the set.

No one could swashbuckle better than the often-shirtless Errol Flynn, whose real-life carousing was nearly as adventurous as his on-screen brawls. He’s seen here on the set of Captain Blood in 1935. The film was an instant hit and made him and his co-star Olivia DeHavilland, another then-unknown in Hollywood, huge stars. The pair would co-star in eight movies together.

With his staccato delivery and distinctive “tough guy” demeanor, James Cagney was small in stature but big on personality. He often played gangster roles in the '30s and '40s but is best loved for portraying the composer George M. Cohan in Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), which allowed him to showcase his amazing energy and singing and dancing abilities. The role earned him an Oscar. He’s with Jean Harlow on the set of The Public Enemy (1931).

Fredi Washington was a talented actress and stunning green-eyed beauty, who eventually worked as an activist for other African-American stars in the entertainment industry. She later married and retired from show biz. Here, she starred in the 1934 film, Imitation of Life and is seen with co-star, Louise Beavers (left), who plays her mother in the movie.

At just 13 years old, Judy Garland was signed by Hollywood’s largest movie studio, Metro-Goldwyn Mayer (MGM). Her golden voice, youthful innocence and spirited personality made her an international sensation almost immediately. She appeared in her first major film in 1936. Here, she’s resting between takes on the set of Ziegfield Girl (1940).

As one of the most popular child stars of all time, Shirley Temple’s trademark golden curls, dimpled smile, charming personality and incredible dancing made her the top box office draw from 1935 to 1938. Her popularity declined during the '40s, but she eventually pursued a successful diplomatic career. She’s between takes on the set, circa 1936.

Actor and dancer Fred Astaire started out in vaudeville and Broadway at age 5 alongside his partner and sister, Adele, who was widely believed to be the more talented sibling. When Adele married, Fred went to Hollywood and made his first movie in 1932 — eventually starring in a string of popular musicals throughout the '30s, '40s and early '50s before heading into TV movies in the '70s. He’s (far left) collaborating with renowned composers George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 musical Shall We Dance.

Lana Turner appeared in her first movie in 1937, but it was her bit part the next year in Love Finds Andy Hardy that caught America’s attention — or at least the young men of America. Dubbed “the Sweater Girl,” Turner’s sex appeal and strong performances made her a hit. She had numerous successful roles in the 1940s, though her personal life was a hot mess: She married eight times, and her daughter fatally stabbed Turner’s abusive boyfriend. She’s having her makeup touched up on the set of The Merry Widow (1952).

Marlene Dietrich began her career as a cabaret singer in 1920s Germany. She appeared in many silent films and a series of small US films before being offered a role in Destry Rides Again, a 1939 American film starring Jimmy Stewart. The role energized her career, and she soon became a US citizen, touring extensively for the Allied troops during World War II. Here, she’s taking a much-deserved break from filming on set in 1936.

Often remembered for her famous bathing suit pin-up pose during World War II, Betty Grable started with bit roles in her early teens before becoming the biggest paid star in the country by 1947. Supposedly, her legs were insured for a million dollars by the studio! Considered a classic American beauty, she’s having her makeup and hair done for her 1938 film College Swing.

A respected British actor with dreamy good looks and perfect diction, Laurence Olivier began his career on the Shakespearian stage before venturing to Hollywood. In his first film, he played the sullen Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights (1939). His real-life lover, Vivian Leigh, also launched her film career this year in Gone with the Wind. He was married to Leigh for more than two decades, and they often played on stage and in films together. Here, he’s being coached alongside his co-star Joan Fontaine (Leigh wanted the role but didn’t get it) by director Alfred Hitchcock on the set of Rebecca (1940).

Born in India, Vivian Leigh’s parents emigrated to England when she was a small girl. When her mother took her to see a play, Leigh decided the theater was her destiny. She had a few small roles before she became involved with Laurence Olivier. On a trip to America to visit Olivier (who was filming Wuthering Heights), she won the coveted role of Scarlet O’Hara in Gone with the Wind (1939). The role garnered her first Best Actress Oscar. She won her second Oscar for her role in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951). This shows her with co-star Marlon Brando on set.

Admired for his boyish charm and common man persona, Jimmy Stewart had a long and distinguished career in Hollywood. He originally attended Princeton University to study architecture, but when the Great Depression hit, he followed his friend, Henry Fonda, to Hollywood. He appeared in a bit part in 1934 but soon garnered larger roles collaborating with director Frank Capra in movies such as Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) and It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). He served in the US Army during WWII. He’s on the set here with director Alfred Hitchcock on Rear Window (1954).

With her gorgeous violet eyes and creamy white skin, Elizabeth Taylor was a child star, co-starring alongside horses and dogs in National Velvet and the Lassie movies, long before she was a screen siren in movies such as Cleopatra. She’s taking a break in filming with actor James Dean on the set of Giant in 1955.

Frank Sinatra was almost as famous for his movie roles as his decades of music. Ol' Blue Eyes first worked as a singer with renowned Big Band orchestras of the '30s including Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, eventually going solo in 1942 and becoming every teen girl's dream. He got his first movie role in 1945. His affair with actress Ava Gardner broke up his marriage, and his career stalled. But it was eventually kicked into high gear again by his role in From Here to Eternity (1953), which earned him an Oscar. He’s shown here alongside hunky co-star Montgomery Clift.

Known for his commanding voice, dimpled chin, and bad boy appeal, Robert Mitchum discovered acting in an amateur theater company, obtaining bit parts in many 1940s films. His rugged good looks and devil-may-care demeanor soon rocketed him to super-star status by the 1950s. Here, Mitchum (right) plays checkers with his co-star Richard Hart on the set of the 1946 film, A Woman of My Own.

Trained as a dancer, Rita Hayworth was one of the most beautiful women of her time. She signed her first studio contract at age 16. After many minor roles (and studio-ordered electrolysis to raise her hairline!), she had her first big hit in the 1941 movie Strawberry Blonde. She was finally able to show off her dancing skills alongside Fred Astaire later that year in You’ll Never Get Rich. She was briefly married to actor, producer and director Orson Welles in the mid-40s and is seen on the set of his movie The Lady from Shanghai (1947).

A high-school dropout at age 16, Clark Gable decided to become an actor when he saw a play in his hometown. His personal life was as colorful as the characters he portrayed. As a young man, he married his much-older acting coach, and the couple moved to L.A., where Gable was signed to MGM in 1930. By the mid-1930s, he was a huge star due to films such as It Happened One Night (1934), which won him an Oscar for Best Actor. In 1935, he had a child with his Call of the Wild co-star Loretta Young; because of the strict morality clauses in their contracts— and the fact that Gable was married — they kept the child secret. He married a total of five times, including his greatest love, actress Carole Lombard, who was killed in a plane crash in 1942. After her death, Gable was grief-stricken and joined the US Army during WWII, then returned to acting upon his return. Here, he’s on the set of Red Dust (1932).

With his methodical delivery, natural acting abilities, and striking good looks, Gary Cooper enjoyed a long and respected career in Hollywood, including leading roles more than 80 films. Raised on a ranch in Montana and in England, he began his screen career in silent films in 1925 and eventually won Oscars for his roles in Sergeant York (1941) and High Noon (1952). Cooper was known for doing his own stunts and for having many different lovers, despite his wholesome portrayals. Here, he’s reading passages from Hemingway’s book on which the movie was based during shooting of A Farewell to Arms (1932).

With her huge eyes and gravelly voice, Bette Davis was not the stereotypical Hollywood star of the Golden Age. Her larger-than-life persona, ironic delivery, and biting wit made her somewhat abrasive, and she often feuded with the studios. She started her career in off-Broadway plays, signing with the studio in 1930. Reflecting her real-life personality, Davis insisted on playing strong (sometimes unlikable) women characters during her career. She won Oscars for Dangerous (1935) and Jezebel (1938). She’s resting during a break on the set of The Bride Came COD (1941).