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Production Photographs from 'Greed,' Erich von Stroheim Production Adapted from Frank Norris' 'McTeague,' Produced for Goldwyn Film Corp. (February to October, 1923), (February to October, 1923)
BANC PIC 1993.034--fALB  
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Description
The Production Photographs from "Greed" album contains 46 black and white photographic prints taken in 1923 during the production of the film Greed. The album consists primarily of production stills taken by Warren Lynch, a Hollywood still photographer of the 1920s and later a cinematographer and special effects expert. Affixed to the inside front cover of the album is the bookplate of Jean Hersholt, who may have also compiled the album. The order in which the photographs are arranged generally follows the order of events in the story of the film. Meticulously adapted from Frank Norris' 1899 novel McTeague: A Story of San Francisco, Greed was filmed on location in the San Francisco and Death Valley areas of California. Many of the album's photographs picture such location sets as San Francisco's Polk, Bush, and Sutter Streets, the Cliff House and Seal Rocks; Oakland's B Street train station; and various locales in Death Valley. In addition to studio and location stills, the album also includes cast portraits, a group portrait of the entire production company, a title page with cast credits, and three photographic reproductions of portrait sketches by Jean Hersholt.
Background
Jean Hersholt was born July 12, 1886 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Both of his parents were famous Danish stage players, and Jean himself performed in many theatrical productions throughout Scandinavia before coming to the United States in 1914. Hersholt's first film appearance was the following year, and by the 1920s he had become a leading character actor of the silent screen. Because of his foreign accent, his career suffered somewhat after the advent of the sound era, though he continued to act in Hollywood until the time of his death. Hersholt was perhaps best known for his depiction of the Dr. Paul Christian character of both radio and film. In addition to his acting career, Hersholt was often recognized for his humanitarian achievements. He was awarded two Academy Awards, in 1939 and 1949, for his distinguished service to the motion picture industry. Hersholt founded and was president of the Motion Picture Relief Fund, and also served as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In 1956, the year of his death, the Academy established the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, an Oscar awarded annually to film personalities for their humanitarian efforts.
Extent
46 photographic prints, black and white, various sizes; compiled in album, 36 x 31 cm. 47 digital objects
Restrictions
Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish photographs must be submitted in writing to the Curator of Pictorial Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Availability
Collection stored off-site. Advance notice required for use.