Rare Photos Capture Classic Hollywood Stars at Play

LA WeeklyArts

Attractiveearly 1950s. Bombshell Monroe rocketed to superstardomThere’s No Business Like Show Business (1954)laterlaterCharlton Heston checks out a high-end scoped-bolt action rifle. Charlton Heston was an iconic American actor and political activist for civil rights and the Second Amendment. During his 60-year career as an actor he appeared in some of Hollywood’s biggest box-office hits. Some of his most memorable roles include Moses in The Ten Commandments (1956)and his starring role in Ben-Hur (1959)and his starring role in Ben-Hur (1959)Dean Martin reigned as one of America’s most popular and enduring entertainersheadlining in Las Vegasand movie stardomThe Silencers (1966)The Ambushers (1967)The Ambushers (1967)young married couple Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis enjoy a leisurely sail around the lake in a colorful speedboatsoaking up sun. Parents of 1980 scream queen Jamie Lee Curtisthanks to their good looks and charming personalities. Leigh starred in such films as Little Women (1949) and The Naked Spur (1953) before gaining screen immortality in such movie classics as Touch of Evil (1958) and Psycho (1960). Curtis became a superstar after appearing in such hits as Sweet Smell of Success (1957)Some Like It Hot (1959)Some Like It Hot (1959)

Clint Eastwood does bicep curls backstage at Universal Studios. Jack Lemmon and Jimmy Cagney hang out at a luau with their wives. Frank Sinatra pitches during a game of baseball on the streets of Hoboken, New Jersey. In the pages of the new book Hollywood at Play: The Lives of the Stars Between Takes ($24.95, Lyons Press), authors Stephen X. Sylvester, Mary Mallory and Donovan Brandt have compiled photos of some of classic Hollywood's biggest names doing what we're not used to seeing them do: enjoy some downtime. It's a fascinating glimpse at Hollywood history and royalty in the pre–US Weekly era.

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