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Dean Frey @dean.bsky.social

Remembering photographer Phil Stern on his birthday 🎂 📷 Brett Ratner "I was never interested in the glamour. I was interested in the tears and agony behind it.

The older Stern holds up a small digital camera to one eye.
sep 3, 2025, 4:19 pm • 8 2

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Dean Frey @dean.bsky.social

My favourite Phil Stern portrait is this one of James Dean, from 1955. The two became friends after Stern narrowly missed hitting Dean's motorcycle with his car.

Dean poses in a black sweater; he's pulled the sweater up over the bottom half of his face.
sep 3, 2025, 4:20 pm • 4 0 • view
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Dean Frey @dean.bsky.social

What an eye Phil Stern had! I love this shot of Rita Moreno during a rehearsal for West Side Story, 1961

The West Side Story chorus practice a dance routine. In the background, an in-focus Moreno does her own thing.
sep 3, 2025, 4:22 pm • 6 2 • view
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Dean Frey @dean.bsky.social

Richard C. Miller captures Phil Stern's photo-shoot with David Niven, c. 1958, turning it into a mini-film noir

Niven turns around to the camera as Stern films him. A strong light casts Niven's shadow on the wall.
sep 3, 2025, 4:23 pm • 2 1 • view
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Dean Frey @dean.bsky.social

Katharine Hepburn's favourite photo of Spencer Tracy was by Phil Stern. Here's a great shot of Kate & Spencer in her townhouse by John Bryson, 1986

Kate poses, arms crossed, in front of a large print of Stern's sjhot of Spencer Tracy.
sep 3, 2025, 4:24 pm • 4 0 • view
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Dean Frey @dean.bsky.social

Gene Lester's shot of a bunch of talented photographers, from 1946: Loren Smith, Gene Lester, Sprague Talbot, Earl Thiesen, Martha Swope, Will Connell, John Engstead, Ralph Crane Standing: Phil Stern, Peter Stackpole, Jack Albin One woman there, & it looks like they have her taking notes!

Two rows of photographers pose around a table.
sep 3, 2025, 4:25 pm • 1 0 • view
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Dean Frey @dean.bsky.social

Phil Stern Orson Welles filming The Magnificent Ambersons, 1942

The young Orson sits at the controls of a large movie camera
sep 3, 2025, 4:26 pm • 4 1 • view
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Dean Frey @dean.bsky.social

Andy Warhol choosing his favourite Phil Stern prints

Andy goes through some photo prints, including the James Dean shot at the top of this thread.
sep 3, 2025, 4:27 pm • 0 0 • view
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Dean Frey @dean.bsky.social

A remarkable portrait of Dorothy Dandridge by Phil Stern This was on the set of Porgy & Bess, 1959

Dandridge puts her head back & laughs.
sep 3, 2025, 4:28 pm • 3 1 • view
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Dean Frey @dean.bsky.social

Phil Stern Humphrey Bogart on the set of Blood Alley, 1955. The lead role was supposed to be Robert Mitchum, but he was fired after an altercation with director William Wellman. Bogie took these shots on set, but he asked for too much money, & the role went to John Wayne!

Bogie in costume, walking on the docks with a young boy
sep 3, 2025, 4:29 pm • 3 1 • view
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Dean Frey @dean.bsky.social

Phil Stern Cole Porter, Audrey Hepburn, Irving Berlin & Don Hartman, 1954 This was at the premiere of A Star is Born at the Pantages Theatre, September 29, 1954

A radiant Audrey in a low-cut white dress, flanked by the three men in tuxedos.
sep 3, 2025, 4:30 pm • 3 0 • view