FAY WRAY BY GENE ROBERT RICHEE

Eugene Robert Richee (1896-1972) was one of the most famous studio photographers to come out of Old Hollywood. Noted for his use of light, mirrors and imaginative use of props, he shot hundreds of photos for Paramount, Warner Brothers and MGM. Among the stars that he showcased with his work were Marlene Dietrich, Gloria Swanson, Gary Cooper, Veronica Lake, and his most famous, Louise Brooks. Miriam "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" Hopkins liked his work so much that she would only work in front of his lens.

Scream Queen Fay Wray was also one of his subjects while she was working for Paramount. This set of photos are from the 1920's and 1930's.

FAY DAY!

The lovely Fay Wray is best known for her role as Ann Darrow -- the original Scream Queen -- in RKO's KING KONG (1933). Before that, she had starred in a string of horror/thrillers: MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM (1933), THE VAMPIRE BAT (1933), THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME (1932) and DOCTOR X (1932).

The first photo shown below is a promo portrait from MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM (Warner Brothers). The other three are by famed portrait photographer Gene Robert Richee when she was under contract with Paramount.

BEFORE THEY WERE SCREAM QUEENS: FAY WRAY!

The lovely Fay Wray began her film career in the 1920's. These two portraits are from that era, while she was under contract with Paramount, quite a few years before she made her mark as the ultimate Scream Queen in RKO's King Kong (1935). The first of the two is by photographer Eugene Robert Richee.