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Double Exposure
Portraits of actors, actresses, dancers, and writers are accompanied by brief appreciations written by their peers.
253 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 10, 2021
Roddy McDowall, who began acting at age eight and just never stopped, until his death from lung cancer in 1998, began his professional photographic career in 1960, according to the dust jacket, when a photograph he took of Judy Holliday in 1960 was used for the Broadway production of Laurette. After that time, his work could be found in Life, Paris Match, Harper's Bazaar, Glamour, Ladies' Home Journal, McCall's, Vogue, and other leading magazines.
McDowall's life, spent in and around the camera and stage, gave him an opportunity as an insider to gain trust, friendships, and casual, intimate portraits you wouldn't find anywhere else. Many of these are stunning, full-page black and white photographs that just stop you in your tracks. Forget the commentary provided by the peers — but don't actually because that plays a huge role in this damned charming book, too. So many of these shots feel like what I imagine them to be: this line between professional photography and familial setting. These have all the feel of relaxed, informal shots your family members or friends would have, but with the added bonus of being absolutely stunning and no one is caught unawares. They are both ready for their close-up (...Mr. DeMille) and comfortable with the man behind the lens.
Featuring ninety-eight subjects, with all the photographs by McDowall, the added brilliance to this book is the bonus "let me tell you about so-and-so" by another so-and-so. McDowall would apparently send the intended portrait to someone he selected and ask them to please write something on the photo's subject. This is the kind of book that makes me call people to me, wherever I am seated — "Come here and look at this picture of Julie Andrews!"
And just as intriguing and beguiling was often the subject's chosen presenter. At times, McDowall had the subjects and commentators as a matched set, as was the case with Ed Wynn and Red Skelton and also with Gore Vidal and Tennessee Williams. Other times, there was a trio of McDowall's choosing. Or there were connections made through a foursome with untethered pairs among them. And then some completely unrelated to any other contributor. Tuesday Weld is the one contributor who is also her own subject. This haphazard approach somehow feels organic and lovely — an expansive set of friends all combining efforts to add to their friend's upcoming photography book. It may seem somewhat random to me at times (some are completely obvious — i.e., Katharine Hepburn writing about Lauren Bacall) but it has all the earmarks of being of its creator.
Sometimes I'd hit a roadblock and have to go look up the commentator — sometimes even the subject, but more often than not, I was simply utterly enchanted by the variety of people included from both sides. And best of all, McDowall absolutely did not dictate how the commentary should be delivered. James Baldwin writes wonderfully of Marlon Brando, as one would expect. But then there's this strip of pictures of Jack Benny with commentary from Charles M. Schulz by way of a Peanuts cartoon, because of course.
As this book was first published in 1966 — fifty-five years ago, and then renewed and reissued in 1990 — thirty-one years ago, we have lost many of these treasures, some only recently. Others are still among us — one to note is the charming entry for Robert Redford, by William Goldman. Part of which goes like this:
McDowall's life, spent in and around the camera and stage, gave him an opportunity as an insider to gain trust, friendships, and casual, intimate portraits you wouldn't find anywhere else. Many of these are stunning, full-page black and white photographs that just stop you in your tracks. Forget the commentary provided by the peers — but don't actually because that plays a huge role in this damned charming book, too. So many of these shots feel like what I imagine them to be: this line between professional photography and familial setting. These have all the feel of relaxed, informal shots your family members or friends would have, but with the added bonus of being absolutely stunning and no one is caught unawares. They are both ready for their close-up (...Mr. DeMille) and comfortable with the man behind the lens.
Featuring ninety-eight subjects, with all the photographs by McDowall, the added brilliance to this book is the bonus "let me tell you about so-and-so" by another so-and-so. McDowall would apparently send the intended portrait to someone he selected and ask them to please write something on the photo's subject. This is the kind of book that makes me call people to me, wherever I am seated — "Come here and look at this picture of Julie Andrews!"
And just as intriguing and beguiling was often the subject's chosen presenter. At times, McDowall had the subjects and commentators as a matched set, as was the case with Ed Wynn and Red Skelton and also with Gore Vidal and Tennessee Williams. Other times, there was a trio of McDowall's choosing. Or there were connections made through a foursome with untethered pairs among them. And then some completely unrelated to any other contributor. Tuesday Weld is the one contributor who is also her own subject. This haphazard approach somehow feels organic and lovely — an expansive set of friends all combining efforts to add to their friend's upcoming photography book. It may seem somewhat random to me at times (some are completely obvious — i.e., Katharine Hepburn writing about Lauren Bacall) but it has all the earmarks of being of its creator.
Sometimes I'd hit a roadblock and have to go look up the commentator — sometimes even the subject, but more often than not, I was simply utterly enchanted by the variety of people included from both sides. And best of all, McDowall absolutely did not dictate how the commentary should be delivered. James Baldwin writes wonderfully of Marlon Brando, as one would expect. But then there's this strip of pictures of Jack Benny with commentary from Charles M. Schulz by way of a Peanuts cartoon, because of course.
As this book was first published in 1966 — fifty-five years ago, and then renewed and reissued in 1990 — thirty-one years ago, we have lost many of these treasures, some only recently. Others are still among us — one to note is the charming entry for Robert Redford, by William Goldman. Part of which goes like this:
"There is no young performer today who seems less in need of analysis. Somehow, at a relatively tender age, he has managed to discover the secrets to portray successfully that rarest of midcentury heroes: the interesting non-neurotic. . . . He is not only gifted, he is skilled; not only skilled, but magnetic. . . . Redford is here and likely to linger."
August 4, 2019
Granted, Roddy McDowall is well known for over 70 movies including Planet of the Apes as well as Broadway plays. Turns out he was an accomplished photographer as well with covers on such magazines as Life, Vogue and Paris Match.
I came across this book in the late 60's but as a struggling college student could not afford it despite my serious interest in photography. The book was reissued in 1990 and I recently snagged a used copy. I had looked for it for years and suddenly many copies are available - Amazon effect, I guess!
He published five books of photographs, each featuring photos and profile interviews of his celebrity friends interviewing each other, such as Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, Red Skelton,Judy Garland, Judy Holliday, Maureen O'Hara, Katharine Hepburn, Lauren Bacall (see her shot above), and others. It started with Double Exposure in 1968 and continued with several more volumes.
Granted, it may be primarily of interest to we Baby Boomers for a great nostalgia trip as so many are now gone, including McDowall who passed in 1998, but for those looking for insight into some of the celebrities of our time as well as stunning examples of the photographic art of portraiture this is a great book.
I came across this book in the late 60's but as a struggling college student could not afford it despite my serious interest in photography. The book was reissued in 1990 and I recently snagged a used copy. I had looked for it for years and suddenly many copies are available - Amazon effect, I guess!
He published five books of photographs, each featuring photos and profile interviews of his celebrity friends interviewing each other, such as Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, Red Skelton,Judy Garland, Judy Holliday, Maureen O'Hara, Katharine Hepburn, Lauren Bacall (see her shot above), and others. It started with Double Exposure in 1968 and continued with several more volumes.
Granted, it may be primarily of interest to we Baby Boomers for a great nostalgia trip as so many are now gone, including McDowall who passed in 1998, but for those looking for insight into some of the celebrities of our time as well as stunning examples of the photographic art of portraiture this is a great book.
April 4, 2009
This has been on my shelf for years and I recently took it down to look at it and read it all over again. I just love it. It's actually a book/album of photography by the late actor, Roddy McDowall. Most of the shots are very informal... of people who were his friends... and also happen to be important or famous. With each portrait is a passage written by a contemporary of the person pictured. Other important/famous people comment on the pictured person's life, career, etc... Not only are the photos fascinating, but what is written... and by who... is just as fabulous. Some people write a lot. Some people write a little. Some make up poetry. It's really across the board. If you're a fan of classic Hollywood... this is a must. I had forgotten how much I loved this book!
April 3, 2018
Roddy McDowall knew a LOT of people. They must have respected him a great deal to have agreed to participate in his project. This book is a collection of photographs taken by Roddy McDowall with commentary by those who knew or admired (more or less) the subjects. Most of the photos were taken during the mid-sixties and for that reason this book will appeal most to older people or younger people that enjoy the older movies and entertainment. Some of the photos are so clever, some moving and perhaps in more and different ways from those intended at the time. Among my favorites would be Marlon Brando, mainly because of the commentary by James Baldwin. Who knew they were good friends? I love the one of Natalie Wood, she’s so young and not wearing much makeup (you can see her freckles). The photo of Hedda Hopper is beyond clever. Buster Keaton’s is almost painful. So many of the stars you might think lived charmed lives suffered through a great deal of tragedy. It’s a great book, well worth the effort of obtaining my gently used copy.
November 27, 2025
3 1/2 stars rounded up. It’s a very interesting read but I had to look many of the people up, which was fine, as I learned about so many actors, musicians, directors, writers, etc. It’s led to putting many movies on my To Watch list! Famous people writing about other famous people accompanied by Roddy McDowall’s photograph portraits in b/w.
January 31, 2021
Wow. Inspiration can be found on every page. Photographs of 98 legends in the arts with great tributes written for each subject by their friends/peers who are equally legendary. Photos by Roddy McDowell taken from 1953 through 1966. This book was originally published in 1966, not 1990 as stated in the GR blurb. (1990 was the second edition.)
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews