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Description
The Rex Hardy photographs span the years 1937-1997 (1936-1937) and encompass 2 linear feet. The collection consists of 1,856 35mm nitrate negatives taken by Hardy on assignment for Life magazine in 1936 and 1937. Only a small percentage of the images were actually published. The library has struck 276 custom modern archival prints from the negatives. There are behind the scenes views of films in progress, candid portraits, and images of the 1936 (9th) Academy Awards, restaurants in the Los Angeles and Hollywood area, and the 1937 Hollywood studio strike. Two vertical files, containing publicity clippings from 1937 to 1997 and a book, are administered by the Special Collections department.
Background
Rex Hardy was an American still photographer active from 1936 to 1941. Hardy went to New York City in 1936 and landed his first position as a professional photographer with the newly founded Time magazine. Time sent him to Hollywood as staff photographer to cover the Hollywood scene (primarily movie stars, studios, film sets, and costume designers) for its newly established Life magazine. In mid 1937 he was sent back to New York to continue work there for the Time/Life organization. He left Time/Life in early 1939 and returned to the West Coast, where he set himself up as a freelance photographer, doing work for various magazines, advertising agencies, and private individuals. In 1941, a call to active duty in the U.S. Navy ended Hardy's career in photography, and he subsequently moved on to a career in aviation.
Extent
2 linear feet of photographs.
Restrictions
Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are responsible for obtaining all necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies or individuals before quoting from or publishing materials obtained from the library.
Availability
Available by appointment only.